Original Word: אֱלִישָׁע
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Eliysha`
Pronunciation: eh-lee-SHAH
Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-shaw')
KJV: Elisha
NASB: Elisha
Word Origin: [contracted for H474 (אֱלִישׁוַּע - Elishua)]

1. Elisha, the famous prophet

Elisha

Contracted for Eliyshuwa'.; Elisha, the famous prophet -- Elisha.

see HEBREW Eliyshuwa'

Word Origin
contr. from Elishua
Definition
"God is salvation," a well-known Isr. prophet
NASB Translation
Elisha (58).

אֱלִישָׁע proper name, masculine (God is salvation, compare אֱלִישׁוּעַ, Sabean יתֿעאל DHM^{ZMG 1883, 15}) the prophet Elisha, the successor of Elijah 1 Kings 19:16 57t. all Kings; Ἐλισα, Ἐλισαιε ᵐ5; Ἐλισαιος Luke 4:27.

Identity and Historical Setting

Elisha son of Shaphat was called by God to succeed Elijah during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:16-21). His ministry spanned the turbulent years of the northern kingdom from Ahab through Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and into the reign of Joash (approximately 860–795 B.C.). Most of the fifty-eight occurrences of his name are found in 2 Kings 2–13, where he is portrayed as prophet, miracle-worker, and spiritual shepherd of the remnant in Israel.

Calling and Succession to Elijah

Elijah cast his mantle on Elisha while he was plowing at Abel-meholah, marking divine selection (1 Kings 19:19). After years of apprenticeship, Elisha received a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9-15), confirmed when he struck the Jordan and the waters parted. The sons of the prophets acknowledged, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha” (2 Kings 2:15).

Miracles and Signs

Sixteen principal miracles are recorded, displaying God’s sovereignty over nature, life, nations, and judgment:

1. Division of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14).
2. Healing the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22).
3. Judgment on irreverent youths (2 Kings 2:23-25).
4. Water supplied for the allied armies against Moab (2 Kings 3:16-20).
5. Multiplication of a widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1-7).
6. Promise of a son to the Shunammite (2 Kings 4:14-17).
7. Raising that son from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37).
8. Purifying poisonous stew (2 Kings 4:38-41).
9. Multiplying twenty loaves for a hundred men (2 Kings 4:42-44).
10. Healing Naaman’s leprosy and judging Gehazi (2 Kings 5:1-27).
11. Floating the axe head (2 Kings 6:1-7).
12. Unveiling and then blinding the Aramean troops (2 Kings 6:15-23).
13. Predicting deliverance from famine at Samaria (2 Kings 7:1-20).
14. Foretelling Hazael’s rise and Ben-hadad’s death (2 Kings 8:7-15).
15. Commissioning the anointing of Jehu (2 Kings 9:1-3).
16. Final prophecies and the post-mortem resurrection in his tomb (2 Kings 13:14-21).

These acts parallel earlier works of Elijah and foreshadow greater miracles of Jesus Christ, reinforcing that “salvation is from the LORD.”

Prophetic Themes and Theology

1. Salvation and grace to the humble—seen in the widow, the Shunammite, and Naaman.
2. Judgment on covenant-breakers—mocking youths, Gehazi’s greed, apostate kings.
3. God’s concern for Gentiles—Naaman’s cleansing anticipates Luke 4:27.
4. The Spirit’s continuity—Elijah’s mantle passes to Elisha, illustrating an unbroken prophetic witness amid national decline.
5. Resurrection hope—revival of the Shunammite’s son and of the man cast into Elisha’s tomb hint at the ultimate victory over death.

Relationship with Kings and Nations

Elisha counseled Jehoram (2 Kings 3; 6–7), confronted Hazael (2 Kings 8:7-15), supported Jehu’s accession (2 Kings 9:1-3), and encouraged Joash (2 Kings 13:14-19). He moved freely between courts and common folk, demonstrating that prophetic authority outranks royal power.

Role among the Prophetic Communities

The “sons of the prophets” looked to Elisha for leadership (2 Kings 4:38; 6:1-7). His presence ensured provision, protection, and instruction, modeling a ministry of mentoring that preserved true worship in Israel.

New Testament Witness

Jesus cites Elisha in Nazareth: “There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). The reference underscores divine freedom and the inclusion of Gentiles.

Typological Reflections

• Passing of the mantle anticipates Christ giving the Spirit to the Church.
• Multiplication of bread prefigures the feeding of the multitudes.
• Cleansing of Naaman points to the gospel offer to all nations.
• The empty tomb miracle in 2 Kings 13:21 foreshadows Christ’s resurrection power.

Legacy and Continuing Relevance

Elisha’s life demonstrates that God preserves a witness, supplies needs, disciplines sin, and reaches beyond Israel’s borders. His ministry encourages believers to rely on the Spirit, trust God’s provision, and proclaim salvation to all people.

אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ אֱלִישָׁ֑ע אֱלִישָׁ֔ע אֱלִישָׁ֖ע אֱלִישָׁ֗ע אֱלִישָׁ֛ע אֱלִישָׁ֜ע אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אֱלִישָׁ֣ע ׀ אֱלִישָׁ֤ע אֱלִישָׁ֧ע אֱלִישָׁע֒ אֱלִישָׁע֙ אלישע אלישע׃ וֶֽאֱלִישָׁע֙ וֶאֱלִישָׁ֖ע וֶאֱלִישָׁ֞ע וֶאֱלִישָׁ֡ע וֶאֱלִישָׁ֣ע וֶאֱלִישָׁע֙ ואלישע לֶאֱלִישָֽׁע׃ לאלישע׃ ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ ’ĕlîšā‘ eliSha le’ĕlîšā‘ le·’ĕ·lî·šā‘ leeliSha veeliSha we’ĕlîšā‘ we·’ĕ·lî·šā‘Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts