2 Kings 2 14

2 Kings 2:14 kjv

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

2 Kings 2:14 nkjv

Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.

2 Kings 2:14 niv

He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

2 Kings 2:14 esv

Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

2 Kings 2:14 nlt

He struck the water with Elijah's cloak and cried out, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

2 Kings 2 verses

2 Kings 2 14 Meaning

2 Kings 2:14 narrates the immediate consequence of Elijah's ascension and Elisha's reception of his mantle. After Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha picks up the fallen mantle and strikes the Jordan River, echoing Elijah's previous action. He cries out, questioning where the God of Elijah is, essentially calling upon the same divine power that worked through his master. In response to Elisha's faith-filled act and plea, the waters miraculously divide, allowing Elisha to cross on dry ground. This event serves as God's powerful affirmation of Elisha's prophetic succession and the transfer of Elijah's anointing and authority to him.

2 Kings 2 14 Context

This verse is the climax of Elisha's testing and commissioning in 2 Kings chapter 2. Following a persistent journey with Elijah from Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho, Elisha refuses to leave Elijah, desiring a "double portion" of his master's spirit (2 Kgs 2:9). Just moments before, Elisha witnesses Elijah's dramatic ascension to heaven in a whirlwind, validating his earlier request. Elijah's mantle, a powerful symbol of prophetic office and authority, falls to Elisha. Immediately after, Elisha faces the Jordan River, which Elijah had just parted. This immediate challenge allows Elisha to demonstrate whether he has indeed received the divine power, acting as a public and divine confirmation of his succession, not only to himself but also to the sons of the prophets watching from afar. Historically, parting a significant body of water echoes iconic acts of divine power, linking Elisha to the foundational miracles of Moses at the Red Sea and Joshua at the Jordan, underscoring the authenticity and weight of his new prophetic role.

2 Kings 2 14 Word analysis

• He took: Elisha (understood). His initiative and readiness.
• the mantle (Hebrew: אַדֶּרֶת - ’addereth): A cloak or outer garment, often associated with a prophet's identity and authority. In this context, it symbolizes the transfer of Elijah's prophetic office, power, and authority. This was not a magical item, but a tangible sign of divine power dwelling upon a person.
• of Elijah: Indicates its former owner, reinforcing the connection to Elijah's unique ministry and the specific divine anointing.
• that had fallen from him: Literally, "from upon him." Signifies a clear act of passing down or transfer; it was not seized but received. It serves as visual proof that Elijah truly left for Elisha's eyes and for any skeptical observer.
• and struck the water: A direct imitation of Elijah's action just moments before (2 Kgs 2:8). This act of striking is one of active faith, directly applying the symbolism of the mantle and calling upon God. It demonstrates Elisha's obedience and belief in the transferred power.
• and said: Verbalizing his dependence and faith.
• "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?": This is a powerful and faith-filled rhetorical question. It's not a question born of doubt about God's existence, but a desperate plea and confident assertion for God to manifest His presence and power as He did through Elijah. It is a declaration of Elisha's reliance entirely on God's ability, not the mantle's inherent power. It confirms Elisha understands that the power came from "the God of Elijah," not from Elijah himself.
• And when he had struck the water: Repetition for emphasis on the act. The result directly follows Elisha's obedient faith.
• it divided this way and that: The miraculous result. The river's immediate obedience to Elisha's strike, empowered by God, confirms the Lord's hand. This mirroring of Moses, Joshua, and Elijah's acts solidifies Elisha's new prophetic authority and the validation of his "double portion" request.
• and Elisha crossed over: The completion of the miracle, physically affirming Elisha's passage into his active ministry empowered by God.

2 Kings 2 14 Bonus section

• The phrase "double portion" (2 Kgs 2:9) refers to the birthright inheritance of the firstborn son (Deut 21:17). Elisha's request wasn't for twice the miracles, but for the position and authority of Elijah's true spiritual heir, demonstrating his devotion and unique calling. The repeated miracle of parting the Jordan upon Elijah's departure is God's direct validation of this specific request, signifying that Elisha has indeed received the primary share of Elijah's spirit, confirming his succession and primary authority.
• The fact that the "sons of the prophets" were watching from afar (2 Kgs 2:7, 15) made this miracle a public demonstration of God's anointing upon Elisha, crucial for establishing his leadership among them and throughout Israel. Their declaration, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha!" (2 Kgs 2:15) solidifies the transfer for their generation.
• The action of striking the water with the mantle connects Elisha directly to the foundational narratives of Israel, especially the parting of the Red Sea by Moses and the Jordan by Joshua, establishing a profound spiritual continuity and linking Elisha's ministry to God's most powerful acts in history.

2 Kings 2 14 Commentary

2 Kings 2:14 serves as a dramatic public attestation of Elisha's succession and the Lord's powerful confirmation of His anointing upon him. Elisha, picking up Elijah's fallen mantle, understands its profound symbolism as the emblem of prophetic authority. His subsequent action of striking the Jordan River, mirroring Elijah's last public miracle, is a bold step of faith. The pivotal moment is Elisha's cry, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" This question is not born of uncertainty but is an intense, faith-driven plea, challenging God to demonstrate His enduring power and faithfulness, just as He did through Elijah. It highlights Elisha's profound dependence on God, acknowledging that the power resides not in the mantle itself or even in the departed prophet, but solely in the living God. The immediate division of the waters unequivocally declares that the "God of Elijah" is indeed with Elisha, fully equipping and endorsing his ministry. This miraculous crossing serves as Elisha's true ordination, witnessed by the physical creation, and seals his transition from disciple to leading prophet, marking the powerful continuity of God's redemptive plan through His chosen servants.