Elisha

This article is about the prophet. For others with the same given name, see Elisha (given name). For the Nigerian model, beauty queen and fashion designer, see Maryam Elisha.
Not to be confused with Elijah, Elishah, or Aisha.
Elisha
Prophet
Elisha raising the Shunammite's son, early 1900s Bible Card illustration
Bornc. 910 BCE
Diedc. 800 BCE
Samaria

Elisha (/əˈlaɪʃə/;[1] Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁע, Modern: ʼElīšaʻ, Tiberian: ʼĔlīšāʻ, 'My God is salvation' or 'God is my salvation'; Koine Greek: Ἐλισ[σ]αῖος Elis[s]aîos or Ἐλισαιέ Elisaié; Latin: Eliseus) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a Jewish prophet and a wonder-worker. His name is commonly transliterated into English as Elisha via Hebrew, Eliseus via Greek and Latin, Ełishe (Yeghishe/Elisha) via Armenian or Alyasa via Arabic, and Elyasa or Elyesa via Turkish. Also mentioned in the New Testament[2] and the Quran,[6:86][38:48] Elisha is venerated as a prophet in Judaism, Christianity and Islam and writings of the Bahá'í Faith refer to him by name.[3]

Before he settled in Samaria, Elisha passed some time on Mount Carmel.[4] He served from 892 until 832 BCE as an advisor to the third through the eighth kings of Judah, holding the office of "prophet in Israel". He is called a patriot because of his help to soldiers and kings.[5]

In the biblical narrative, he is a disciple and protégé of Elijah, and after Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, Elisha received a double portion of his power and he was accepted as the leader of the sons of the prophets. Elisha then went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah.

Scholars hold different opinions regarding the historical background, composition and social context of the Elisha narratives.[6] The stories give unique insights into the folk religion of the Kingdom of Israel.[7]

  1. ^ Wells, John C. (1990). "Elisha". Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow, England: Longman. p. 239. ISBN 0-582-05383-8.
  2. ^ Luke 4:27 "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian."
  3. ^ Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on a Bahái̓́ Theology, Volume 8. p. 32. Jack McLean. 1997.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference duffy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ J. K. Mead, "Elisha" in Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson (eds.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (InterVarsity Press, 2005), pp. 254–258.
  7. ^ Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004. pp. 268–269.