1 Kings 19 19

1 Kings 19:19 kjv

So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

1 Kings 19:19 nkjv

So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.

1 Kings 19:19 niv

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

1 Kings 19:19 esv

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.

1 Kings 19:19 nlt

So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 19 Meaning

Elijah, in obedience to the Lord's command, locates Elisha the son of Shaphat, who is found diligently engaged in a substantial agricultural operation. Elijah performs a symbolic act by throwing his prophetic mantle upon Elisha, which serves as a visible sign of a divine call to prophetic ministry, the transfer of spiritual authority, and the designation of Elisha as his chosen successor in God's service.

1 Kings 19 19 Context

This verse directly follows Elijah's dramatic and pivotal encounter with the Lord on Mount Horeb. After a powerful public victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled in despair from Jezebel's threats, believing he was the only true prophet left. God appeared to Elijah, not in grand displays of wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a "still small voice," reassuring him and giving him specific commissions: anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his own place (1 Kings 19:15-16). Thus, 1 Kings 19:19 is the initial fulfillment of God's command concerning Elisha, establishing the future continuity of prophetic leadership in Israel during a time of widespread idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elisha, a significant figure in Israel, is discovered in the ordinary act of plowing, demonstrating God's pattern of calling individuals from their daily lives into extraordinary service.

1 Kings 19 19 Word analysis

• "So he departed thence": This indicates Elijah's direct obedience to God's instruction to leave Mount Horeb (1 Ki 19:15) and commence his new tasks. It signifies moving from divine revelation to immediate action.
• "and found Elisha": Hebrew: māṣā’ ’elîšāʿ. "Found" (matsa') implies a deliberate search and divine guidance rather than accidental discovery. Elisha was God's chosen man for Elijah to find.
• "the son of Shaphat": Establishes Elisha's family lineage and identity. "Shaphat" (שָׁפָט - šāfāṭ) means "He has judged," providing a paternal background.
• "who was plowing": Hebrew: ḥōrəšîm (חֹרְשִׁים) – active participle, meaning he was engaged in the act of cultivating the soil. Elisha is found busy and productive, engaged in the vital work of the land, a common, respectable occupation.
• "with twelve yoke of oxen": Hebrew: bəšənêm ʻāśār tsemed bāqār.
  • "yoke" (tsemed - צֶמֶד): A pair, referring to two oxen harnessed together. Thus, "twelve yoke" means 24 oxen in total.
  • This detail indicates Elisha's family was prosperous, owning significant land and livestock. He was not a person of humble means or desperate for advancement, making his subsequent surrender even more impactful.
• "before him": The oxen were in front of Elisha, guiding his plough. This placement emphasizes Elisha's direct involvement in the labor.
• "and he with the twelfth": This suggests Elisha was personally overseeing or even guiding the last, or one of the last, of the twelve teams of oxen, rather than merely supervising from a distance. It highlights his diligent, hands-on participation in his work.
• "and Elijah passed by him": A deliberate and intentional approach, not casual. Elijah specifically went to Elisha.
• "and cast his mantle upon him": Hebrew: šālāḵ ʻālāyw ’et ’addartô.
  • "cast" (šālāḵ - שָׁלַךְ): To throw or cast. It's a decisive, direct physical action.
  • "his mantle" (’addartô - אדרתו): The ’addereth was Elijah's distinctively rough, wide, flowing outer cloak (perhaps made of camel or animal hair), a visible symbol of a prophet's identity, authority, and office (cf. Zech 13:4; 2 Ki 2:8, 2 Ki 2:13). The act of throwing it over Elisha was a silent yet powerful symbolic gesture of designation, election, and the transfer of prophetic anointing and spiritual authority, signaling Elisha as Elijah's God-appointed successor.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth": This passage paints a picture of Elisha as a diligent, established individual deeply engaged in a productive and prosperous life. God's call frequently comes to those already demonstrating faithfulness in their ordinary vocations, rather than to those idle or seeking grandeur. Elisha's engagement with the "twelfth" yoke implies humility and active participation, preparing him for the weighty task ahead.
• "Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him": This action encapsulates the core message of the verse: a divine commissioning and transfer of spiritual authority. It is a non-verbal act, yet pregnant with profound meaning. The mantle itself is not just a piece of clothing; it symbolizes the prophetic anointing and office, representing God's enabling power and the responsibilities tied to it. The "casting" emphasizes the divine initiative and decisiveness of the call.

1 Kings 19 19 Bonus section

• The contrast between Elijah's dramatic prophetic displays (e.g., calling down fire) and his despair, followed by God's gentle instruction and this quiet commissioning of Elisha, highlights that God works through both spectacular and subtle means. His revelation in the "still small voice" before Elisha's call underscores this.
• The mantle not only represented Elijah's personal authority but also linked Elisha to the unbroken line of prophecy from God to Israel. Elisha’s later request for a "double portion" of Elijah’s spirit (2 Ki 2:9) confirms his understanding of the significance of this transfer of the mantle as a spiritual inheritance.
• The number "twelve yoke" may subtly allude to the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting Elisha's ministry, like Elijah's, would be for all of God's people.

1 Kings 19 19 Commentary

1 Kings 19:19 presents a pivotal moment in the prophetic history of Israel: the divine commissioning of Elisha as Elijah's successor. This scene unfolds after Elijah's profound encounter with God on Horeb, where despair was met with renewed purpose and instruction. Elisha, despite his apparent prosperity evident in his substantial farming operation, is found engaged in diligent, practical labor. This illustrates that God often calls individuals from their daily occupations, those who demonstrate faithfulness and hard work in their current sphere, to undertake significant spiritual ministries.

The most striking aspect is Elijah's silent, symbolic act of casting his mantle upon Elisha. This was not a random gesture but a divinely commanded sign, representing far more than just a piece of clothing. The mantle (’addereth) was a recognized emblem of a prophet's authority, identity, and the spiritual anointing that empowered their office. Its transference signifies a spiritual legacy, an invitation to a sacred calling, and the passing of the burden and blessing of prophetic ministry. Elisha’s immediate and radical response (burning his implements and oxen, 1 Ki 19:20-21) shows his understanding of the profundity of this silent call and his total commitment to the new path God had opened before him. This foreshadows New Testament calls to discipleship where individuals are called to leave all and follow God unreservedly.