ELISHA

Prophet and successor of elijah, Elisha (Heb.Ĕl îŝa ', God saves), from Abel-Mehula (south of BethSan) was active in the second half of the 9th century b.c. The account of his career is given in 1 Kgs 19.16, 19–21; 2 Kgs 2.1–8.15; 9.1–3; 13.14–21. Much of his story, which once circulated in separate form before it was reworded and incorporated by the editor of Kings into his book, is overlaid with legend. Some of his miracles [see miracles (in the bible)], for example, have more than a touch of the bizarre about them. Immediately after the "ascension" of Elijah, for instance, the story is told how Elisha "sweetened" the waters of Jericho (2 Kgs2.15–22); even today the copious spring at ancient Jericho is pointed out to travelers and pilgrims as the Fountain of Elisha. Following this is the incident of the boys who mocked the Prophet and, at his prayer, were torn apart by bears (2.23–24). The story of his relations with the rich woman of Sunam and his raising of her young son from the dead (2 Kgs 4.1–37) is remarkably similar to the story of Elijah and the widow of Sarephta (1 Kgs 17.9–24). The most significant event in Elisha's career was his designation of Jehu as King of Israel. Even after his death he was credited with working miracles (2 Kgs 13.20–22); but his fame and influence were much less enduring than those of Elijah, who, for example, is mentioned about 30 times in the NT, whereas Elisha is mentioned only once (Lk 4.27), in connection with his curing the leprosy of Naaman the Syrian (2 Kgs 5.1–19).

Bibliography: v. hamp, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, ed. j. hofer and k. rahner, 10 v. (2d, new ed. Freiburg 1957–65) 3:821–822. g. fohrer, Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart, 7 v. (3d ed. Tübingen 1957–65) 2:429–431. Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible, tr. and adap. by l. hartman (New York 1963), from a. van den born, Bijbels Woordenboek 650.

[b. mcgrath]