אֱלִישָׁע
Elisha, the famous prophet
Definition
Elisha (אֱלִישָׁע) is the name of a major prophet in the Old Testament, the successor to Elijah. His name means 'God is salvation' or 'my God saves,' reflecting his ministry's purpose. He served as a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century BCE, performing numerous miracles—such as healing Naaman of leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14) and multiplying a widow's oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)—that demonstrated God's compassion and power. His prophetic career, which included advising kings and performing acts of judgment, is detailed primarily in 2 Kings 2–13.
Biblical Usage
The name Elisha is used exclusively as a proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing 52 times. It is concentrated in the historical books, especially 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings (chapters 2–9, 13), where it refers to the prophet. Key passages include his calling by Elijah (1 Kings 19:16-19), his succession with a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9-15), and his posthumous miracle (2 Kings 13:20-21). The usage consistently identifies him as a central prophetic figure in Israel's history.
Etymology
Elisha is a contracted form of the longer name אֱלִישׁוּעַ (Elishua, H474), which combines אֵל (ʼēl, 'God') and יָשַׁע (yāshaʻ, 'to save'). Thus, it means 'God is salvation' or 'God saves.' This etymology highlights the divine source of deliverance, a theme central to Elisha's miracles and prophetic role in Israel.
Semantic Range
Elisha's name and ministry underscore God's active salvation and covenantal faithfulness to Israel. His miracles, like raising the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37), prefigure Christ's healing power, and his receiving a 'double portion' of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9) symbolizes the continuity of prophetic revelation. Understanding the Hebrew meaning enriches Bible reading by connecting his actions to God's saving nature, emphasizing that divine intervention addresses both physical and spiritual needs.
In ancient Israel, names like Elisha carried significant meaning, often reflecting parental hopes or divine attributes. As a prophet, Elisha operated within a monarchic and often idolatrous society, where his miracles—such as purifying water (2 Kings 2:19-22) or providing food (2 Kings 4:42-44)—addressed communal crises and affirmed Yahweh's supremacy over Baal. His role included political counsel to kings, blending spiritual and societal leadership in a way distinct from modern religious figures.
אֵלִיָּהוּ (ʼĔlîyyāhû, H452) — Elijah, Elisha's mentor and predecessor, whose ministry emphasized judgment and covenant renewal. נָבִיא (nāḇîʼ, H5030) — prophet, a general term for which Elisha is a specific example, performing signs and wonders.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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