Ἐλισσαῖος

Elisha

Definition

Ἐλισσαῖος is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elisha, meaning 'God is salvation'. In the New Testament, it refers exclusively to the Old Testament prophet Elisha, the successor to Elijah. The sole reference in Luke 4:27 recalls a key event from his ministry: the healing of Naaman the Syrian from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14). This specific mention highlights Elisha's role as a prophet to Gentiles, a theme central to Jesus's sermon in Nazareth.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 4:27. Jesus uses the example of Elisha healing Naaman, a Syrian military commander, to illustrate God's grace extending beyond Israel to the Gentiles. This usage is strategic, appearing in a synagogue sermon where Jesus confronts nationalistic exclusivity and points to the prophetic precedent for God's inclusive salvation.

Etymology

The name Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaios) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name אֱלִישָׁע (Eliysha'), which is a contracted form meaning 'My God is salvation' (from 'El', God, and 'yasha', to save). It is the Greek equivalent used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) for the prophet Elisha.

Semantic Range

The mention of Ἐλισσαῖος is theologically significant as it connects Jesus's ministry to the prophetic tradition of God's mercy for all nations. By citing Elisha's healing of Naaman, Jesus establishes a biblical precedent for His mission to the Gentiles, challenging ethnic exclusivity and underscoring that God's salvation, prefigured in the Old Testament, is now being fulfilled in His own person and work.

In first-century Jewish culture, Elisha was revered as a mighty prophet in the line of Elijah. The story of Naaman was well-known. By invoking it, Jesus tapped into a familiar narrative but subverted its common interpretation, which often focused on Elisha's miracle-working power for Israel. Jesus reframed it to highlight the recipient—a foreign enemy—thereby challenging deep-seated cultural and national prejudices.

Προφήτης (prophētēs, G4396) — The general term for 'prophet'; Elisha is a specific instance of a προφήτης.

Word Details

Scripture References