2 Kings 2:7
Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan.
Fifty men
The mention of "fifty men" from the company of the prophets signifies a significant group of witnesses to the miraculous events about to unfold. In the Hebrew context, the number fifty often symbolizes completeness or fullness, suggesting that this was a complete representation of the prophetic community. Historically, prophets were seen as God's messengers, and their presence here underscores the importance of the transition from Elijah to Elisha.

of the sons of the prophets
This phrase refers to a group or guild of prophets who were disciples or followers of a leading prophet, in this case, Elijah. The "sons of the prophets" were not necessarily biological sons but rather students or members of a prophetic community. This highlights the organized nature of prophetic ministry in ancient Israel, where mentorship and communal learning were vital.

went and stood
The action of going and standing indicates intentionality and readiness to witness a significant event. In the Hebrew tradition, standing often denotes respect and attentiveness. These prophets were positioning themselves to observe God's work, showing their reverence and anticipation for divine revelation.

facing them
This phrase suggests a direct and intentional observation. The prophets were not merely bystanders but were actively engaged in witnessing the transition of prophetic authority. This positioning also implies a readiness to testify to what they would see, emphasizing the importance of eyewitness accounts in validating prophetic events.

at a distance
The distance maintained by the prophets could symbolize respect for the sacredness of the event about to occur. In biblical narratives, distance often signifies reverence for God's holy acts, as seen in other instances where people are instructed to keep a distance from holy sites or events. This separation underscores the awe and mystery surrounding God's miraculous interventions.

as Elijah and Elisha
The pairing of Elijah and Elisha highlights the mentor-mentee relationship central to this narrative. Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," represents the powerful, miraculous ministry that Elisha is about to inherit. Elisha, meaning "God is salvation," signifies the continuation and expansion of God's work through a new vessel. This transition is crucial in the biblical narrative, showcasing the continuity of God's prophetic voice.

stood by the Jordan
The Jordan River is a significant geographical and spiritual landmark in Israel's history. It represents a place of transition and transformation, as seen in the Israelites' crossing into the Promised Land and later in the baptism of Jesus. Elijah and Elisha standing by the Jordan symbolizes a threshold moment, where the old is passing, and the new is about to begin. This setting underscores the theme of divine intervention and new beginnings in God's redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elijah
A major prophet in Israel, known for his powerful miracles and his role in turning the hearts of the people back to God.

2. Elisha
The successor of Elijah, chosen by God to continue the prophetic ministry in Israel.

3. Sons of the Prophets
A group or school of prophets who were disciples or followers of the prophetic tradition, often associated with Elijah and Elisha.

4. Jordan River
A significant geographical and spiritual landmark in Israel, often associated with miraculous events and transitions.

5. Company of Fifty Men
A specific group from the sons of the prophets who witnessed the events from a distance, symbolizing the broader community of believers observing God's work.
Teaching Points
Witnessing God's Work
The sons of the prophets stood at a distance, observing the work of God through Elijah and Elisha. We are called to be attentive witnesses to God's work in our lives and the lives of others.

Mentorship and Succession
Elijah and Elisha's relationship highlights the importance of mentorship in spiritual growth. We should seek to mentor others and be mentored in our faith journey.

Faith in Transition
The crossing of the Jordan represents a transition and a test of faith. In our lives, we face transitions that require us to trust in God's provision and guidance.

Community of Believers
The presence of the sons of the prophets emphasizes the role of community in supporting and witnessing God's work. We should value and engage with our faith communities.

Standing Firm in Faith
The fifty men stood firm, watching from a distance. We are encouraged to stand firm in our faith, even when we are not directly involved in the action.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the sons of the prophets in this passage encourage us to be observant of God's work in our communities today?

2. In what ways can we seek out and engage in mentorship relationships similar to that of Elijah and Elisha?

3. Reflect on a time of transition in your life. How did your faith play a role in navigating that period?

4. How can we actively participate in and contribute to our faith communities, as seen with the sons of the prophets?

5. What are some practical ways we can stand firm in our faith when we are in a position of observing rather than directly participating in God's work?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 3-4
The crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, which parallels the miraculous crossing by Elijah and Elisha.

1 Kings 19:19-21
The calling of Elisha by Elijah, establishing the mentor-mentee relationship that is central to this passage.

Acts 1:9-11
The ascension of Jesus, which mirrors Elijah's ascension and the witnessing by the disciples, similar to the sons of the prophets observing Elijah and Elisha.
Parting VisitsC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 2:1-8
The Departure of Good MenD. Thomas 2 Kings 2:1-14
Elijah TranslatedH. Crosby, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
Elijah TranslatedMonday Club Sermons2 Kings 2:1-15
Elisha's Love for ElijahL. A. Banks, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
EvensongF. B. Meyer, B. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
Life's EventideF. S. Webster, M. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Ascension of ElijahCanon Hutchings, M. A.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Christian a Native of HeavenAlex. Maclaren, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Departure of Good MenHomilist2 Kings 2:1-15
The Translation of ElijahJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 2:1-15
The Sons of the ProphetsJ. Orr 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7
Elijah Taken UpJ. Orr 2 Kings 2:7-15
People
Elijah, Elisha
Places
Bethel, Gilgal, Jericho, Jordan River, Mount Carmel, Samaria
Topics
Afar, Company, Distance, Edge, Elijah, Elisha, Facing, Fifty, Jordan, Opposite, Over-against, Places, Prophets, Sons, Stand, Standing, Stood, Stopped, View
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 2:7-8

     1416   miracles, nature of
     4260   rivers and streams

Library
The Translation of Elijah and the Ascension of Christ
'And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.'--2 KINGS ii. 11. 'And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.'--LUKE xxiv. 51. These two events, the translation of Elijah and the Ascension of our Lord, have sometimes been put side by side in order to show that the latter narrative is nothing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS ii. 12. '...And Joash, the King of Israel, came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said. O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.'--2 KINGS xiii. U. The scenes and the speakers are strangely different in these two incidents. The one scene is that mysterious translation on the further bank of the Jordan, when a mortal was swept up to heaven in a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Chariot of Fire
'And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. 80 they went down to Beth-el 3, And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
'He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14. 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. 15. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Preparing to Depart
"And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."--2 Kings 2:11. IT seems to me that the departure of Elijah from the world, though of course he did not "die" at all, may furnish us with a very good type of the decease of those saints who, although taken away on a sudden, are not without some previous intimation that in such a manner they will be
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 54: 1908

Whether Hope is a Help or a Hindrance to Action?
Objection 1: It would seem that hope is not a help but a hindrance to action. Because hope implies security. But security begets negligence which hinders action. Therefore hope is a hindrance to action. Objection 2: Further, sorrow hinders action, as stated above ([1361]Q[37], A[3]). But hope sometimes causes sorrow: for it is written (Prov. 13:12): "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Therefore hope hinders action. Objection 3: Further, despair is contrary to hope, as stated above [1362](A[4]).
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem.
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
If in the time of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate-- 1. That it argueth a dastardly mind to fear that which is not; for in the church of Christ there is no death (Isa. xxv. 7, 8), and whosoever liveth and believeth in Christ, shall never die (John xi. 26). Let them fear death who live without Christ. Christians die not; but when they please God, they are like Enoch translated unto God (Gen. v. 24;) their pains are but Elijah's fiery chariot to carry them up to heaven (2
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Epistle vii. To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius.
To Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius. Gregory to Peter, Domitian, and Elpidius, Bishops [1688] . I rejoice exceedingly that you welcomed with great joy the ordination of the most holy Cyriacus, my brother and fellow-priest. And since we have learnt from the preaching of Paul the apostle that If one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it (1 Cor. xii. 26), you must needs consider with how great exultation I rejoice with you in this thing, wherein not one member, but many members of Christ have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8.
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian Hastened his Journey to Rome; but Titus his Son Returned to Jerusalem.
1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places of power justly, [25] and according to every one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen to
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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