And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

2 KINGS 2:14KJV
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2 Kings 2:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 2:14 mean?

2 Kings 2:14 describes Elisha taking Elijah’s mantle, striking the water, and asking, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” The water parts, just as it did for Elijah, and Elisha crosses over, showing that the same power and presence of God is now with Elisha.

This moment happens right after Elijah is taken up to heaven, leaving Elisha behind. Elisha is alone at the Jordan River, testing whether God will work through him as He did through Elijah. The verse shows Elisha stepping into Elijah’s role as prophet, and God confirming this by repeating the miracle of parting the waters.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 2:14

  • מַּעֲטֶרֶת (ma‘ăṭeret, “mantle”): This word refers to the cloak or outer garment Elijah wore. In this story, the mantle is a symbol of prophetic authority and God’s calling, so Elisha taking it is a visible sign of succession.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, “LORD”): Elisha specifically calls on the personal name of God, showing he is seeking the same relationship and power that Elijah had, not just any deity.
  • חָצָה (ḥāṣāh, “parted”): This verb describes the waters splitting apart. The same word is used when Moses parts the Red Sea and when Joshua crosses the Jordan, linking Elisha’s act to earlier miracles and showing continuity in God’s power.

Why 2 Kings 2:14 matters

  • 2 Kings 2:14 clears up any doubt about whether Elisha is truly Elijah’s successor, as God repeats the same miracle for Elisha that He did for Elijah.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s power is not tied to one person, but continues with those He chooses, reinforcing the idea of God’s ongoing presence.
  • This moment connects Elisha’s ministry to the larger story of Israel, echoing earlier miracles and showing that God’s work continues across generations.

Where else these words appear

“mantle” Hebrew H155 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
  • 1 Kings 19:13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
  • Ezekiel 17:8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

“parted” Hebrew H2673 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 32:7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
  • Numbers 31:42 And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
  • Job 41:6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?

“Elisha” Hebrew H477 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
  • 2 Kings 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
  • 2 Kings 6:31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

“Elijah” Hebrew H452 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
  • 1 Kings 18:30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
  • 2 Kings 1:12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.