1 Kings 19 20

1 Kings 19:20 kjv

And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

1 Kings 19:20 nkjv

And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"

1 Kings 19:20 niv

Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"

1 Kings 19:20 esv

And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"

1 Kings 19:20 nlt

Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, "First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!" Elijah replied, "Go on back, but think about what I have done to you."

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 20 Meaning

This verse describes Elisha's immediate and decisive response to Elijah's call to prophetic ministry. After Elijah casts his mantle upon Elisha, Elisha swiftly abandons his thriving agricultural life. He requests a moment to bid farewell to his parents, demonstrating filial respect before committing entirely to following Elijah. Elijah's enigmatic response, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?", serves as either a test of Elisha's resolve or a profound statement affirming the divine origin of the call, emphasizing that the commitment is to God, not merely to Elijah.

1 Kings 19 20 Context

The verse immediately follows God's appearance to Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kgs 19:9-18). After experiencing powerful displays of nature—wind, earthquake, fire—God reveals Himself not in these, but in a "still small voice" (or "whisper"). In this encounter, God commissions Elijah to return and anoint specific individuals: Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor. This divine instruction addresses Elijah's despair and sense of isolation (1 Kgs 19:10, 14), assuring him that God's work continues, even through new instruments. The casting of Elijah's mantle (1 Kgs 19:19) symbolized the transfer of prophetic authority and the call to discipleship. Elisha, found plowing with twelve yokes of oxen, signifies his affluent background and a deeply established agricultural life. This context sets the stage for a dramatic, immediate, and costly call to ministry.

1 Kings 19 20 Word analysis

• And he left the oxen: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲזֹב, vayya‘azov from עָזַב, 'azav - to leave, abandon, forsake). Elisha's immediate and decisive action. His plowing with "twelve yoke" (1 Kgs 19:19) suggests prosperity and a significant stake in his current livelihood. This act signifies a complete break from his past occupation and a radical commitment to a new way of life under prophetic guidance. It symbolically burns bridges to his former existence, highlighting the exclusive nature of God's call. It also contrasts sharply with the contemporary dependency on fertility gods like Baal, showing Elisha leaving behind the source of agrarian blessings commonly associated with such deities.
• and ran after Elijah: (Hebrew: וַיָּרָץ, vayyarats from רוּץ, ruts - to run). This conveys Elisha's eagerness, zeal, and immediate responsiveness. He did not hesitate or procrastinate; his pursuit was proactive and swift, indicating genuine willingness to embrace the call.
• and said, 'Let me kiss my father and my mother,': (Hebrew: אֶשְּׁקָה־נָּא, eshkeha-na' from נָשַׁק, nashaq - to kiss; for "let me" or "I pray"). This request reflects a cultural expectation of filial respect and a proper farewell before embarking on a new path, particularly one of such magnitude. It shows Elisha's thoughtfulness and devotion to his family, not a reluctance to obey God's call.
• 'and then I will follow you.': (Hebrew: וְאֵלְכָה אַחֲרֶיךָ, ve’elkhah ’akhareykha from הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי, halakh ’akharey - to go after, follow). This is Elisha's explicit declaration of intent and commitment. His conditional "then" indicates that the farewell is a prerequisite for a complete, unreserved following, ensuring no lingering ties to his former life.
• And he said to him, 'Go back again,': (Hebrew: לֵךְ שׁוּב, lekh shuv - go, return). Elijah's command to "go back" is interpreted variously. It is likely not a command to abandon the call but either a test of Elisha's resolve or a means of emphasizing the profound and personal nature of the divine call.
• 'for what have I done to you?': (Hebrew: כִּי מֶה־עָשִׂיתִי לָךְ, ki meh-‘asiti lakh). This phrase is central to understanding Elijah's intent. It suggests that Elijah has not compelled Elisha. The only "action" Elijah took was casting his mantle upon Elisha (1 Kgs 19:19), a symbolic act representing God's call. Elijah implies that his role was merely to deliver God's invitation; the true compulsion, if any, is divine, and the decision rests solely with Elisha. It could also mean, "I have placed the prophetic mantle on you, initiating God's claim on your life. What I have done is irrevocably from God; now, you must decide the extent of your commitment." It serves to heighten the challenge and demands Elisha's personal conviction rather than blind obedience to a man.

1 Kings 19 20 Bonus section

Elisha's response, especially after Elijah's words, becomes even clearer in the very next verse (1 Kgs 19:21). Elisha slaughters his oxen and uses their plowing equipment as fuel for a feast for the people. This act is the ultimate physical manifestation of "burning his bridges." It makes an immediate return to his old life impossible and publicizes his complete, unreserved dedication to his new prophetic calling. This stands as a powerful counterpoint to those who might "look back" after putting their hand to the plow, as mentioned by Jesus in Luke 9:62. Elisha understood the non-negotiable and all-consuming nature of the call, embracing it with total sacrifice.

1 Kings 19 20 Commentary

This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking the transfer of prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha. Elisha's immediate response of leaving his oxen signifies a radical and unreserved abandonment of his secure, prosperous past in favor of an uncertain future dictated by God's call. His request to kiss his parents is a human, culturally respectful act, yet it does not diminish his commitment; rather, it underscores his complete breaking of ties with his previous life after this proper farewell, ensuring no attachment remains. Elijah's enigmatic "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" is not a retraction but a profound challenge. It highlights that the call originates from God, not from Elijah himself, testing Elisha's genuine commitment and ensuring his allegiance is truly to the divine rather than merely to a human prophet. This interaction demands Elisha’s absolute personal conviction and choice, emphasizing the costly, sovereign nature of God’s vocational summons that necessitates a full and public commitment.