And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

2 KINGS 2:15KJV
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2 Kings 2:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 2:15 mean?

2 Kings 2:15 describes how the group of prophets in Jericho recognized that the same spirit or power that had been with Elijah was now with Elisha. Seeing this, they approached Elisha and showed him deep respect by bowing down before him.

The verse takes place just after Elijah has been taken up into heaven, leaving Elisha as his successor. The "sons of the prophets" were likely students or followers of the prophetic tradition, watching from a distance. Their act of bowing shows they accepted Elisha’s new role and authority, acknowledging that God’s presence and power (the "spirit of Elijah") had truly passed to him.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 2:15

  • "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənē): This word means "sons" or "descendants," but here it refers to disciples or members of a prophetic group, not literal sons.
  • "prophets" (הַנְּבִיאִים, hanəḇî’îm): This term means "prophets," indicating these were people devoted to learning and practicing prophecy, likely under Elijah and now Elisha.
  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, rūaḥ): This word means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." In this context, it refers to the divine power or presence that enabled Elijah to act as a prophet, now seen as resting on Elisha.
  • "rest" (נָחָה, nāḥāh): This verb means "to settle" or "to rest upon." The idea is that the same empowering presence that was with Elijah has now settled on Elisha, marking him as the new prophetic leader.

Why 2 Kings 2:15 matters

  • This verse clears up any doubt among the prophetic community about who would carry on Elijah’s work, showing a clear transfer of spiritual authority to Elisha.
  • The focus on the "spirit of Elijah" highlights that the power and calling come from God, not from the person, and can be passed on according to God’s will.
  • The reaction of the prophets connects this moment to the larger story of God’s ongoing work through chosen individuals, emphasizing continuity in leadership and God’s faithfulness to His people.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.

“rest” Hebrew H5117 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
  • 2 Samuel 7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
  • Isaiah 7:19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.

“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.