And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

2 KINGS 2:3KJV
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2 Kings 2:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 2:3 mean?

2 Kings 2:3 shows that Elisha knows his time with Elijah, his master, is about to end. The prophets at Bethel know it too. When they bring it up, Elisha confirms that he knows and asks them to be quiet.

The words “from thy head” picture Elijah as someone over Elisha, a master whom Elisha follows and serves. The exchange takes place after Elisha has insisted on staying with Elijah rather than leaving him behind.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 2:3

  • “sons” — בֵּן (ben): This word can mean a son or a member of a group. Here, “sons of the prophets” describes a group associated with the prophets, rather than necessarily their biological children.
  • “master” — אָדוֹן (adon): This word can mean a lord or a master. It marks Elijah’s position in relation to Elisha, who has been serving him.
  • “hold ye your peace” — חָשָׁה (ḥashah): This word means to be silent or keep quiet. Elisha’s answer asks the group to stop speaking after he confirms that he already knows.

Why 2 Kings 2:3 matters

  • Elisha’s request for silence is not a denial. His “Yea, I know it” shows that he accepts what the prophets have said before asking them to stop.
  • The expected departure belongs to the LORD’s action. The prophets say that “the LORD will take away thy master,” identifying who will bring the separation about.
  • The exchange at Bethel is part of a repeated pattern. At Jericho, another group asks Elisha the same question, and he gives the same answer (verse 5).

Where else these words appear

“peace” Hebrew H2814 · used in 16 verses

  • Judges 18:9 And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
  • Psalms 28:1 A Psalm of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
  • Isaiah 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

“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.

“Bethel” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.