2 Kings 13 21

2 Kings 13:21 kjv

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

2 Kings 13:21 nkjv

So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

2 Kings 13:21 niv

Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.

2 Kings 13:21 esv

And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

2 Kings 13:21 nlt

Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 21 Meaning

2 Kings 13:21 recounts a miraculous event where a dead man, hurriedly thrown into the grave of the deceased prophet Elisha to escape raiders, came back to life upon touching Elisha's bones. This act underscores God's immense power, demonstrating His continued divine authority and endorsement of Elisha as His prophet even after death, signifying hope and divine power amidst national decline.

2 Kings 13 21 Context

This verse occurs after the death of the great prophet Elisha, during the reign of King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Israel. Elisha had previously performed many miracles (like raising the Shunammite's son) and served as a spiritual and national guide for Israel for many decades. The nation, however, continued in sin and faced severe oppression from Aram (Syria), particularly under King Hazael (2 Kgs 13:3, 7). Just before this verse, Elisha had given a final prophetic sign to King Joash concerning victories over Aram (2 Kgs 13:14-19), but Joash's faith was incomplete. Elisha died and was buried.

The immediate historical context notes "Moabite raiders used to invade the land in the spring of the year" (2 Kgs 13:20). It was likely during such an incursion that the urgent burial occurred. This miracle, post-Elisha's death, serves as a poignant reminder of God's power and His commitment to His covenant with Israel, despite their apostasy and the death of His prophet. It reaffirms Elisha's prophetic office and points to the God who can give life even in the most hopeless situations.

2 Kings 13 21 Word analysis

• And it came to pass, as they were burying a man: This phrase highlights a routine, ordinary event—a burial—suddenly interrupted by an extraordinary one. "They" refers to the common people or the burial party.
• that, behold: An interjection drawing attention to an immediate, startling development. It often precedes a significant divine action or revelation.
• they spied a band of men: Indicates a sudden, urgent threat. The "band of men" (גְּדוּדִים, gedudim) refers to raiding parties, likely Moabite or Aramaean, known for sporadic incursions, causing panic and haste.
• and they cast the man: Demonstrates extreme haste and fear. Under normal circumstances, dead bodies were treated with reverence. This action suggests imminent danger necessitating rapid disposal of the body to escape.
• into the sepulchre of Elisha: "Sepulchre" (קֶבֶר, qever) denotes a grave or tomb, likely a rock-cut cave common in the region. This is the pivotal detail linking the common burial to the sacred space of the prophet, establishing the precise location for God's miraculous intervention.
• and when the man was let down: The body's descent into the tomb. "Let down" (וַיַּשְׁלִיכוּ, vayashlichu, meaning "they threw him" or "cast him") reinforces the urgency.
• and touched the bones of Elisha: "Touched" (וַיִּגַּע, vayigga') implies direct physical contact. "Bones" (עַצְמוֹת, atzmot) signifies the remaining mortal presence of Elisha. This touch is not depicted as possessing inherent magical power in itself, but rather as the chosen physical point through which God's life-giving power operated, validating Elisha's life and ministry posthumously. This differs significantly from pagan relic worship.
• he revived: "Revived" (וַיְחִי, vayechī, from חָיָה ḥāyâ meaning "to live") explicitly means he returned to life. It signifies a dramatic reanimation.
• and stood up on his feet: The definitive proof of life and complete recovery, showing he was not merely resuscitated but fully restored to physical function.

2 Kings 13 21 Bonus section

The singularity of this miracle, where a person is raised from the dead by merely touching the remains of a prophet, distinguishes Elisha's post-mortem power from any other prophet recorded in the Old Testament. While both Elijah and Elisha performed miracles of raising the dead during their lifetime, this unique event amplifies the exceptional nature of God's favor and power through Elisha, perhaps hinting at the 'double portion' of spirit Elisha had requested and received from Elijah (2 Kgs 2:9-10). It underscores God's ability to act in unexpected ways and places, further solidifying Elisha's credentials as a true prophet whose ministry, even in death, served as a witness to God's continued working in Israel. The emphasis is consistently on God as the source of life, using the deceased prophet's tomb as a final dramatic stage for His power.

2 Kings 13 21 Commentary

This verse is a unique and profound miracle in the biblical narrative, occurring after a prophet's death. It demonstrates that God's power is not bound by human life or death, but extends even to the "bones" of His anointed servants. The incident functions as a posthumous confirmation of Elisha's prophetic ministry, akin to a final, powerful testament to his divine appointment. Amidst the national distress of Israel under Aramaean oppression and Elisha's recent passing, this miracle serves as a message of enduring hope and God's faithfulness to His covenant people. It reinforces the truth that God can bring life from death, even when all seems lost.

The "bones" are not portrayed as relics holding inherent power, but rather as the divine chosen instrument through which God manifested His sovereign power. Similar to how Moses' staff or Elijah's mantle were not powerful in themselves but served as conduits for God's will, Elisha's bones here become the point of contact for a divine act of resuscitation. This miracle can also be seen as a foretaste of the greater resurrection to come, foreshadowing the ultimate victory over death achieved through Jesus Christ.

This event can be practically applied in understanding that:

• God's power is not limited by human circumstances, even death.
• God uses what seem to be "dead" or finished situations to display His glory.
• Genuine anointing and connection with God have enduring impact.