Elisha
The Prophet of the Double PortionSuccessor to Elijah who received a double portion of his spirit and performed twice as many miracles
Elisha served as Elijah's successor, receiving the double portion of the Spirit he requested. His ministry spanned approximately 50 years and the reigns of six kings. While Elijah's ministry was characterized by confrontation and judgment, Elisha's emphasized mercy and restoration. He performed twice as many recorded miracles as Elijah, including healing Naaman's leprosy, multiplying oil for a widow, raising the Shunammite's son, purifying poisoned stew, and feeding 100 men with 20 loaves. Even his bones raised a dead man. Many of Elisha's miracles prefigure Jesus's ministry.
Original Name
אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha)
Meaning
My God is salvation
Etymology
The name Elisha combines 'El' (God) with 'yasha' (to save/deliver), meaning 'My God is salvation' or 'God is my salvation.' This name defines his ministry of restoration and healing, contrasting with Elijah's emphasis on judgment.
Linguistic Insights
Elisha's name contains the same root as 'Yeshua' (Jesus) - 'yasha' meaning salvation/deliverance. While Elijah ('My God is Yahweh') focused on calling Israel back to true worship, Elisha ('My God is salvation') demonstrated God's saving power through miracles of provision and healing. The 'double portion' (pi shenayim - פִּי שְׁנַיִם) he requested was the firstborn's inheritance share, indicating Elisha saw himself as Elijah's true spiritual heir. His miracles often prefigure Christ: multiplying bread (feeding 5,000), raising the dead (Lazarus), healing leprosy (the lepers), and revealing the unseen spiritual realm.
Translation Notes
- •Greek form is 'Elisaios' (Ἐλισαῖος)
- •Name shares root with Jesus/Yeshua - 'salvation'
- •'Double portion' was firstborn's inheritance - spiritual succession
- •Performed twice as many miracles as Elijah (about 16 recorded)
Related Terms
Called by Elijah while plowing
1 Kings 19:19-21Witnessed Elijah's ascension, received double portion
2 Kings 2:9-14Parted the Jordan River
2 Kings 2:14Healed the waters of Jericho
2 Kings 2:19-22Bears mauled mocking youths
2 Kings 2:23-25Multiplied widow's oil
2 Kings 4:1-7Raised the Shunammite's son from death
2 Kings 4:8-37Purified poisoned stew
2 Kings 4:38-41Fed 100 men with 20 loaves
2 Kings 4:42-44Healed Naaman's leprosy
2 Kings 5:1-19Made an axe head float
2 Kings 6:1-7Revealed Syrian army plans to Israel
2 Kings 6:8-12Opened servant's eyes to see angelic army
2 Kings 6:15-17Struck Syrian army with blindness
2 Kings 6:18-23Prophesied end of Samaria's siege
2 Kings 7:1-2Anointed Jehu as king through messenger
2 Kings 9:1-13Death and prophecy to Joash
2 Kings 13:14-19His bones raised a dead man
2 Kings 13:20-212 Kings 2:9
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit."
2 Kings 2:14
"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?"
2 Kings 6:17
"O LORD, open his eyes so he may see. Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire."
Luke 4:27
"And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian."
Born
c. 885 BC
Died
c. 800 BC
Lifespan
Approximately 85 years
Father
Shaphat
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
None recorded