2 Kings 13:21
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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!

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
And as they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they threw the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

NASB 1995
As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

NASB 1977
And as they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that they were burying a man, and behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he became alive and stood up on his feet.

Amplified Bible
And it happened that as a man was being buried [on an open bier], they saw a marauding band [coming]; and they threw the man into Elisha’s grave. But when the [body of the] man [was being let down and] touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

Christian Standard Bible
Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a raiding party, so they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. When he touched Elisha’s bones, the man revived and stood up!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a raiding party, so they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. When he touched Elisha’s bones, the man revived and stood up!

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Contemporary English Version
Once, while some Israelites were burying a man's body, they saw a group of Moabites. The Israelites quickly threw the body into Elisha's tomb and ran away. As soon as the man's body touched the bones of Elisha, the man came back to life and stood up.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One day some people who were burying a man saw one of these raiding parties. So they quickly put the man into Elisha's tomb. But when the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came back to life and stood up.

Good News Translation
One time during a funeral, one of those bands was seen, and the people threw the corpse into Elisha's tomb and ran off. As soon as the body came into contact with Elisha's bones, the man came back to life and stood up.

International Standard Version
One day while some Israelis were burying a man, they saw some marauders, so they threw the man into Elisha's grave. But when the man fell against Elisha's remains, he revived and rose to his feet.

Majority Standard Bible
Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man?s body into Elisha?s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

NET Bible
One day some men were burying a man when they spotted a raiding party. So they threw the dead man into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man came to life and stood on his feet.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, as they were burying a man, that look, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the tomb of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood on his feet.

World English Bible
As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a band of raiders; and they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. As soon as the man touched Elisha’s bones, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, they are burying a man, and behold, they have seen the troop, and cast the man into the grave of Elisha, and the man goes and comes against the bones of Elisha, and lives, and rises on his feet.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, they are burying a man, and lo, they have seen the troop, and cast the man into the grave of Elisha, and the man goeth and cometh against the bones of Elisha, and liveth, and riseth on his feet.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be they were burying a man, and behold, they saw a troop; and they will cast the man into the tomb of Elisha: and the man will go and touch upon the bones of Elisha, and he will live and rise upon his feet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some that were burying a man, saw the rovers, and cast the body into the sepulchre of Eliseus. And when it had touched the bones of Eliseus, the man came to life, and stood upon his feet.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But certain ones who were burying a man saw the robbers, and they cast the dead body into the sepulcher of Elisha. But when it had touched the bones of Elisha, the man revived, and he stood upon his feet.

New American Bible
Once some people were burying a man, when suddenly they saw such a raiding band. So they cast the man into the grave of Elisha, and everyone went off. But when the man came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and got to his feet.

New Revised Standard Version
As a man was being buried, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha; as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he came to life and stood on his feet.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass as they were burying a man, behold, a band of raiders was seen; 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when they were burying a man, they saw a band of robbers, and they threw the man into the tomb of Elisha, and the man went touching the bones of Elisha, and he came to life and stood on his feet.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha; and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass as they were burying a man, that behold, they saw a band of men, and they cast the man into the grave of Elisaie: and as soon as he touched the bones of Elisaie, he revived and stood up on his feet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha's Final Prophecy
20And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring. 21Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet. 22And Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:52-53
The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. / After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.

John 11:43-44
After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.

Acts 9:40-41
Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. / Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.

Luke 7:14-15
Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” / And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.

1 Kings 17:21-22
Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!” / And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.

Acts 20:9-12
And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead. / But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!” / Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed. ...

Mark 5:41-42
Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” / Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded.

1 Corinthians 15:52
in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Ezekiel 37:1-10
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. / He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry. / Then He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones come to life?” “O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.” ...

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

Hebrews 11:35
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

Revelation 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.


Treasury of Scripture

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 sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

was let down [heb] went down

2 Kings 4:35
Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

Isaiah 26:19
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Ezekiel 37:1-10
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, …

Jump to Previous
Band Body Bones Buried Burying Cast Elisha Eli'sha Elisha's Feet Grave Israelites Marauding Once Raiders Revived Sepulcher Sepulchre Soon Spied Stood Suddenly Threw Tomb Touched
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Band Body Bones Buried Burying Cast Elisha Eli'sha Elisha's Feet Grave Israelites Marauding Once Raiders Revived Sepulcher Sepulchre Soon Spied Stood Suddenly Threw Tomb Touched
2 Kings 13
1. Jehoahaz's wicked reign
3. Jehoahaz, oppressed by Hazael, is relieved by prayer
8. Joash succeeds him
10. His wicked reign
12. Jeroboam succeeds him
14. Elisha dying, prophesies to Joash three victories over the Syrians
20. The Moabites invading the land, Elisha's bones raise a dead man.
22. Joash gets three victories over Ben-hadad














Once, as the Israelites were burying a man
This phrase sets the scene in a time of turmoil and danger for Israel. The Israelites, God's chosen people, were often under threat from surrounding nations. The act of burying signifies a moment of vulnerability and respect for the dead, a practice deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The Hebrew context here emphasizes the sacredness of burial rites, which were an essential part of honoring the deceased.

suddenly they saw a raiding party
The sudden appearance of a raiding party highlights the constant threat and instability faced by Israel during this period. Historically, Israel was often besieged by neighboring nations, and these raids were common. The Hebrew word for "raiding party" suggests a group of marauders or bandits, emphasizing the danger and urgency of the situation.

so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb
In their haste and fear, the Israelites made a desperate decision to dispose of the body quickly. Elisha, a prominent prophet in Israel, was known for his miracles and close relationship with God. The tomb of Elisha would have been considered a sacred place, and the act of throwing the body into it, though done in panic, signifies a divine intersection between life and death.

When the body touched Elisha’s bones
This phrase marks the miraculous turning point in the narrative. The bones of Elisha, though lifeless, still carried the power of God. In Hebrew tradition, bones were often seen as the essence of a person, and here they symbolize the enduring power of God's spirit working through His prophet. This moment underscores the belief in the power of God to transcend death.

the man came to life and stood up on his feet
The resurrection of the man is a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over life and death. This miracle serves as a foreshadowing of the resurrection power that would later be fully revealed in Jesus Christ. The phrase "stood up on his feet" signifies not just physical revival but a restoration to wholeness and purpose. It is a vivid reminder of the hope and life that God offers to His people, even in the most dire circumstances.

(21) As they were burying.--They--i.e., a party of Israelites. The story is told with vivid definiteness.

A band.--Rather, the troop. The particular troop of Moabites which happened to be making an inroad at the time.

They cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha.--Comp. Mark 16:3-4. In this case, we must suppose that the tomb was more easily opened, as the action was obviously done in haste.

And when the man was let down, and touched the bones.--Rather, and they departed. And the man touched the bones. The order of words in the original, as well as the sense, supports old Houbigan?s conjecture. If the meaning were, "and the man went and touched," the subject in the Hebrew would have followed the first verb, not the second. Moreover, the verb would hardly have been h?lak.

He revived.--Literally, and he lived. Thenius thinks that the sacred writer regarded this miracle as a pledge of the fulfilment of Elisha's promise to Joash Bahr says: "Elisha died and was buried, like all other men, but even in death and in the grave he is avouched to be the prophet and servant of God." Dante's warning may not be out of place here:--

"O voi che avete g?intelletti sani,

Mirate la dottrina, che s asconde

Sotto il velame degli versi strani."

Inf. 9:61, sqq.

Verse 21. - And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that. "They" is used indefinitely of some unnamed Israelites, like the French on. Certain persons, it does not matter who, were burying a man, i.e. about to bury him, and were carrying the corpse to the grave, when an interruption occurred. Behold, they spied a band of men - rather, the band, i.e. the band of that year - and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha. There was no time for ceremony. Hastily, and somewhat roughly, it may be, the bearers of the body thrust it into Elisha's tomb, which happened to be at hand, and from the mouth of which they were able to remove the closing stone. They did not "throw" the body in, but pushed it in. And when the man was let down. The man was not "let down." Our translators seem to have been unacquainted with the Jewish mode of burial. They imagine that Elisha's tomb is a pit dug in the ground from the surface downwards, like a modern grave, and the man has therefore to be "let down," or to "go down" (marginal translation) into it. The Revised Version avoids the mistranslation, but weakens the force of the original. Translate, and when the man came, etc. And touched the bones of Elisha, he revived. The violent push given to the corpse imparted to it a movement which brought it in contact with the bones, i.e. the body (1 Kings 13:31) of Elisha, as it lay, wound in its grave-clothes, but uncoffined, on the floor of the sepulchral chamber. At the moment of contact the dead man came to life - "revived." And stood up on his feet. In many Jewish tombs the sepulchral chamber would allow of this.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Once,
וַיְהִ֞י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as the Israelites
הֵ֣ם ׀ (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

were burying
קֹבְרִ֣ים (qō·ḇə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6912: To inter

a man,
אִ֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

suddenly
וְהִנֵּה֙ (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

they saw
רָא֣וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

a band [of raiders],
הַגְּד֔וּד (hag·gə·ḏūḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1416: A band, troop

so they threw
וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ (way·yaš·lî·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

the man's body
הָאִ֖ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

into Elisha’s
אֱלִישָׁ֑ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

tomb.
בְּקֶ֣בֶר (bə·qe·ḇer)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

And when he touched
וַיִּגַּ֤ע (way·yig·ga‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

the bones
בְּעַצְמ֣וֹת (bə·‘aṣ·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

of Elisha,
אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

the man
הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

was revived
וַיְחִ֖י (way·ḥî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and stood
וַיָּ֥קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

up on his feet.
רַגְלָֽיו׃ (raḡ·lāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda


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OT History: 2 Kings 13:21 It happened as they were burying (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 13:20
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