2 Kings 13:21

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

And it came to pass, as they were burying {H6912} a man {H376}, that, behold, they spied {H7200} a band {H1416} of men; and they cast {H7993} the man {H376} into the sepulchre {H6913} of Elisha {H477}: and when the man {H376} was let down {H3212}, and touched {H5060} the bones {H6106} of Elisha {H477}, he revived {H2421}, and stood up {H6965} on his feet {H7272}.

Once it happened that just as they were burying a man, they spotted a raiding party; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's burial cave; and the moment the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Commentary

2 Kings 13:21 describes a remarkable post-mortem miracle associated with the prophet Elisha, highlighting God's power even beyond death. This unique event serves as a final, powerful testament to Elisha's prophetic ministry and the divine authority that rested upon him.

Context

This verse occurs after the death and burial of the prophet Elisha (see 2 Kings 13:20). The nation of Israel, under King Jehoahaz and later Jehoash, was in a period of spiritual decline and military oppression from the Arameans. The "band [of men]" refers to marauding Moabite raiders, a common threat in the region during that time. The urgency of the burial party, attempting to quickly inter their dead man, led them to cast the body into the nearest available sepulchre, which happened to be Elisha's tomb.

Key Themes

  • God's Transcendent Power: The miracle powerfully demonstrates that God's ability to give life is not limited by human mortality or even the physical presence of His servants. It underscores His sovereignty over life and death.
  • The Enduring Legacy of a Prophet: Even in death, Elisha's connection to divine power remained evident. This event serves as a final confirmation of his authentic prophetic calling and God's consistent backing of His chosen messengers. It suggests that the spiritual anointing can have lasting effects.
  • Divine Validation: The revival of the dead man was an undeniable sign, affirming God's continued presence and power among His people, even when they were in a state of spiritual and national weakness.
  • Hope in Despair: In a time of national decline and spiritual apathy, this miracle offered a glimmer of hope and a reminder that God was still active and capable of extraordinary intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "revived" is chayah (חיה), which means "to live," "to be alive," "to quicken," or "to restore to life." It is the same root used throughout the Old Testament to describe the imparting of life, whether physical or spiritual. The directness of the contact – "touched the bones of Elisha" – and the immediate result – "he revived, and stood up on his feet" – emphasize the miraculous nature of God's action through the prophet's remains.

Related Scriptures

This miracle is unique in scripture, being the only instance of a person being raised from the dead by contact with a deceased prophet's remains. It echoes Elisha's earlier miracle of raising the Shunammite's son, reinforcing the extraordinary power God invested in him during his lifetime. The event also foreshadows the ultimate power over death demonstrated by Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life." It serves as a powerful testament to God's inherent power, as stated in Deuteronomy 32:39, "I kill, and I make alive."

Practical Application

The account in 2 Kings 13:21 reminds us that God's power is not confined by human limitations or even death itself. It encourages believers that God can work in unexpected ways and through unexpected means, even when circumstances seem dire. It underscores the lasting impact of a life devoted to God; even after physical death, the spiritual legacy and divine connection can continue to bear witness to God's greatness. For us today, it's a reminder to place our hope in the God who gives life, even in the midst of spiritual or physical "death" in our own lives or communities.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 37:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,

  • Ezekiel 37:10 (6 votes)

    So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

  • Acts 19:12 (6 votes)

    So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

  • Acts 5:15 (5 votes)

    Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

  • John 5:25 (5 votes)

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

  • John 5:28 (5 votes)

    Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

  • John 5:29 (5 votes)

    And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.