King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 2:14 Mean?

2 Kings 2:14 in the King James Version says “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? an...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Kings 2:14 · KJV

Context

12

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

13

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; bank: Heb. lip

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 to the ground before him.

16

And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men ; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. strong: Heb. sons of strength some mountain: Heb. one of the mountains

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 2: Prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 2 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Beginning) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 2 regarding prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיִּקַּח֩1 of 25

“And he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַדֶּ֨רֶת3 of 25

“the mantle”

H155

something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress)

אֵֽלִיָּ֑הוּ4 of 25

“of Elijah”

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

אֲשֶׁר5 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָֽפְלָ֤ה6 of 25

“that fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מֵֽעָלָיו֙7 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַיַּכֶּ֣ה8 of 25

“and when he also had smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת9 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּ֗יִם10 of 25

“the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר11 of 25

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַיֵּ֕ה12 of 25
H346

where?

יְהוָ֖ה13 of 25

“Where is the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י14 of 25

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֵֽלִיָּ֑הוּ15 of 25

“of Elijah”

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

אַף16 of 25
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

ה֣וּא׀17 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיַּכֶּ֣ה18 of 25

“and when he also had smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת19 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּ֗יִם20 of 25

“the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיֵּֽחָצוּ֙21 of 25

“they parted”

H2673

to cut or split in two; to halve

הֵ֣נָּה22 of 25
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

וָהֵ֔נָּה23 of 25
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר24 of 25

“went over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֱלִישָֽׁע׃25 of 25

“hither and thither and Elisha”

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 2:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:12Psalms 42:10Psalms 115:2Joshua 1:1-9Acts 3:12-13Judges 6:13

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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