2 Kings 13 20

2 Kings 13:20 kjv

And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

2 Kings 13:20 nkjv

Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year.

2 Kings 13:20 niv

Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring.

2 Kings 13:20 esv

So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.

2 Kings 13:20 nlt

Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring.

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 20 Meaning

2 Kings 13:20 describes two distinct, yet chronologically juxtaposed events: the natural conclusion of the revered prophet Elisha's life and his burial, immediately followed by the resurgence of external hostility against Israel. Elisha, the direct successor to Elijah, had passed away after a long and influential ministry. His death marked the end of an era of potent prophetic activity. Contemporaneously, "bands" or raiding parties of the Moabites, a traditional enemy of Israel, began to frequently invade the land, particularly at the advent of the campaigning season. This verse signals a time of transition, moving from a period directly ministered to by a major prophet to a reality of ongoing conflict and a nation seemingly left to contend with its enemies after its prophetic protector was gone.

2 Kings 13 20 Context

Chapter 13 of 2 Kings details the reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash (Jehoash) over Israel, marking a period of continued apostasy in the Northern Kingdom and its resultant oppression by Aram (Syria). Though Elisha performed a miracle of delivering Joash (Jehoahaz's son) in battle by directing him to strike the ground with arrows, Joash's faith was limited, causing only partial victory against Aram. This chapter culminates in Elisha's sickness and death, an event of profound significance as it essentially marks the end of a long period of prominent prophetic activity and miraculous intervention that began with Elijah. The sudden shift in 2 Kings 13:20, from Elisha's quiet passing to the re-emergence of Moabite raids, immediately after the death of the man of God, emphasizes a return to typical political and military struggles for Israel without the direct powerful intervention of a living prophet like Elisha, thus setting the stage for the unique post-mortem miracle that immediately follows in the next verse (2 Ki 13:21). The historical backdrop is one of Israel's gradual decline, where despite God's mercy through prophets, their persistent sin invited ongoing challenges from surrounding nations.

2 Kings 13 20 Word analysis

• And Elisha died:

  • And (וַיָּמָת - va-yya-mat, conjunction "and" + verb מוּת - mut, to die): The abrupt opening, "And Elisha died," signifies a straightforward, unavoidable human end. Despite his incredible prophetic ministry and miracles, Elisha was mortal. This grounds the powerful prophet within human reality, setting the stage for the miraculous power of God through his bones in the following verse.
  • Elisha (אֱלִישָׁע - Eliysha`): Meaning "God is salvation" or "My God is salvation." His name encapsulated his ministry: one through whom God continually brought deliverance and salvation to Israel. His death highlights that God's plan is not solely dependent on one human agent, no matter how powerful.
  • died: The termination of a life that witnessed and performed numerous miracles, including resurrections (2 Ki 4). This contrast between his previous acts and his own natural end is stark.

• and they buried him:

  • and they buried (וַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ - vay-yiq-be-ru-hu, from קָבַר - qavar, to bury): Standard Israelite practice for disposing of the dead. It denotes a respectful but final end, unlike Elijah's ascension. The action implies that Elisha was laid to rest, emphasizing the human custom of burying the dead, preparing the reader for a supernatural event immediately after this seemingly ultimate act.

• And the bands of the Moabites:

  • And the bands (וּגְדוּדֵי - u-gedudei, from גְּדוּד - gedud, plural for "bands, troops, raiding parties"): This term refers to small, marauding groups, not necessarily a full-scale national army. Their function was typically to pillage, harass, and destabilize border regions. This signifies a persistent, irritating threat rather than a definitive invasion, often indicative of Israel's weakness in keeping their borders secure due to their spiritual condition.
  • of the Moabites (מוֹאָב - Mo'av): A transjordanian nation, east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot (Gen 19:37). Moab was a traditional and perennial enemy of Israel, frequently involved in conflicts and raids (Judg 3, 2 Ki 3). Their constant presence and threat often served as a sign of divine displeasure or testing upon an unfaithful Israel.

• invaded the land:

  • invaded (יָבֹאוּ - ya-vo'u, from בּוֹא - bo', to come/enter/invade): Signifies entrance with hostile intent. It indicates the breach of Israel's territory.
  • the land (הָאָרֶץ - ha-aretz): Refers to the territory of Israel.

• at the coming in of the year:

  • at the coming in of (בְּבוֹא - be-vo', "at the coming of" or "at the turning of"): Denotes a specific time.
  • the year (הַשָּׁנָה - ha-shanah): The "turning of the year" refers to the spring season (approximately March-April). This was the traditional time when the winter rains subsided, making roads passable, fields accessible for provisions, and conditions favorable for military campaigns or raids, as famously mentioned in 2 Sam 11:1. This detail provides historical and cultural context, grounding the narrative in the seasonal realities of ancient warfare. It shows that even in the wake of a prophet's death, the regular cycles of earthly conflict continued.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And Elisha died, and they buried him.": This phrase marks the conclusion of the life of one of the greatest prophets in Israel's history. It's a statement of solemn finality, underscoring the mortality of even God's mightiest servants. The immediate placement of this personal end before the societal turmoil is striking, contrasting personal peace in death with national distress. It emphasizes that even with such a man, physical death is inescapable, setting the stage for the exceptional nature of the following verse.
  • "And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.": This segment highlights the harsh reality facing Israel. The juxtaposition with Elisha's death is significant; it implies that with the prophet gone, the nation faced its old enemies without the immediate and powerful intercession he had often provided. The timing, "at the coming in of the year," further emphasizes this predictable cycle of invasion and warfare that plagued Israel, often as a consequence of their disobedience and weak leadership, regardless of prophetic presence. It underscores that spiritual decline invited physical vulnerability.

2 Kings 13 20 Bonus section

• The simple statement of Elisha's death without grand pronouncements of grief or elaborate funeral descriptions for such a major prophet underscores the historical record's focus on God's continuing activity rather than human ceremony.
• The fact that Moabite "bands" invaded, rather than a full army, paints a picture of constant low-level conflict and border insecurity during the reign of Joash, hinting at Israel's weakening political and military state. These were not decisive battles but wearisome, disruptive raids.
• This verse represents a narrative pivot. For generations, Israel (and particularly the Northern Kingdom) had experienced the powerful, often direct, ministry of prophets like Elijah and Elisha, frequently leading to divine interventions. Elisha's death marks the twilight of this particular era of "active miracle-working" prophecy, leading into a period where the prophetic word became more pronounced through written traditions (the classical prophets).
• The placement of this verse, just before the unique account of the resurrection from Elisha's bones (2 Ki 13:21), creates powerful dramatic irony and theological emphasis. It contrasts the finality of human death with the enduring, supernatural power of God, even over death itself, signifying that God's power is not constrained by a prophet's mortality.

2 Kings 13 20 Commentary

2 Kings 13:20 presents a stark, almost immediate transition. Elisha's death is conveyed simply and directly, acknowledging the natural end of a monumental prophetic career. Unlike Elijah's fiery ascent, Elisha is buried, signifying a typical human passing. This detail is crucial because it highlights the commonality of Elisha's fate in contrast to the extraordinary display of divine power that immediately follows his burial in the next verse (2 Ki 13:21). The death of such a prominent spiritual leader could have symbolized utter despair for Israel, yet it forms the unexpected prelude to a unique display of God's enduring power, suggesting that God's anointing can persist beyond the grave.

The latter part of the verse, "And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year," provides a vivid counterpoint to Elisha's passing. This re-emergence of enemy harassment, specifically by Moabite raiding parties during the traditional season of warfare, underscores Israel's vulnerable spiritual and political state. With Elisha, their primary spiritual intercessor and miraculous deliverer, now gone, Israel might have felt exposed. These ongoing incursions symbolize the continued consequences of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience under various kings like Joash, despite God's grace manifested through His prophets. It implies that without true repentance and reliance on God, external threats would perpetually trouble the land. The verse thus sets up a dramatic contrast: the prophet's mortal end juxtaposed with the continuation of Israel's earthly struggles, providing the necessary context for the astonishing miracle in 2 Kings 13:21 that validates God's presence even after His servant's death.