What Does 2 Kings 2:1 Mean?

(1) **And it came to pass . . . whirlwind.**—The compiler has prefixed this heading to the following narrative by way of connection with the general thread of the history. It *seems* to be indicated that the event happened in the beginning of the reign of Jehoram; but see Note on 2Chronicles 21:12. **When the Lord would take up.**—*When Jehovah caused Elijah to go up, or ascend.* This anticipates the conclusion of the story. **Into heaven.**—Heb., accusative of direction, as in 2Kings 2:11. The LXX. renders, ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν “as into heaven,” perhaps to suggest that not the visible heavens, but God, was the real goal of the prophet’s ascension. **By a whirlwind.**—*In the storm*. **Gilgal.**—Heb., the* Gilgal*, i.e., the Ring (comp. Isaiah 28:28, “wheel”), a descriptive name of more than one place. Here, Gilgal in Ephraim, the present *Jiljîlia*, which stands on a hill south-west of *Seilûn* (Shiloh), near the road leading thence to Jericho. (See Deuteronomy 11:30; Hosea 4:15; Amos 4:4.) Hosea and Amos connect Gilgal with Bethel, as a sanctuary. It was probably marked by a *ring* of stones like those at Stonehenge and Avebury. From this spot the mountain land of Gilead, the Great Sea, and the snowy heights of Hermon, were all visible; so that the prophet could take from thence a last look at the whole country which had been the scene of his earthly activity.