Prophet Old Testament

Prophet Elisha

Also known as Eliseus · Elisha son of Shaphat

The disciple and successor of the Prophet Elijah, upon whom a double portion of his master's spirit rested; he prophesied in Israel for many years and worked great wonders, cleansing the leper and raising the dead.

Feast Day

June 14

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Commemorated as

The Holy Prophet Elisha

Life

Elisha (also rendered Elisseus) was a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel in the ninth century before Christ, remembered as the disciple and divinely appointed successor of the Prophet Elijah. The biblical account in the books of Kings names him the son of Shaphat and a native of Abel-meholah near the Jordan, where Elijah found him plowing and called him by casting his mantle over his shoulders. When Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, Elisha asked for a double portion of his master's spirit and took up the fallen mantle, inheriting his prophetic office and gift.

The narrative of 2 Kings records a long ministry marked by numerous wonders worked among the people, the kings, and the surrounding nations. By tradition the Orthodox synaxarion holds that he prophesied for more than sixty-five years under six successive kings of Israel before his repose at Samaria. He is commemorated as one of the great prophets of the Old Testament on June 14.

In his own words Read Hide

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2 Kings, 6:16 · King James Version (PD)

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

9th century BC Calling at Abel-meholah Elijah found Elisha, son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and cast his mantle over him, marking him as his successor in the prophetic office.
9th century BC Succession to Elijah As Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. He took up the mantle that fell from his master and with it divided the waters of the Jordan, receiving Elijah's prophetic power.
9th century BC Ministry in Israel Elisha served as a prophet through the reigns of several kings of Israel, including Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash, and was involved in the anointing of Hazael as king of Aram and the anointing of Jehu as king of Israel.
9th century BC Repose at Samaria Elisha died in old age at Samaria. According to 2 Kings, when a dead man was later let down into his tomb and touched his bones, the man revived and stood on his feet.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributions Read Hide

Miracles Recorded in Scripture

The books of Kings attribute a series of wonders to Elisha. He divided the waters of the Jordan by striking them with Elijah's mantle, and he healed the bitter spring at Jericho by casting salt into it so that its waters became fit to drink. In a wilderness campaign he saved the armies of the kings of Israel and Judah from thirst by bringing forth abundant water through his prayer.

Among his other recorded works were the miraculous increase of a poor widow's oil to deliver her from destitution, the raising of the Shunammite woman's deceased son, the neutralizing of a poisoned pot of stew, and the feeding of one hundred men with twenty barley loaves. He cured the Syrian commander Naaman of leprosy, after which his servant Gehazi was struck with leprosy for his deceit; he caused an iron axe head to float on the water; and during the siege of Samaria he struck a Syrian raiding force with blindness.

Veneration and Legacy

Elisha left no written works, instructing instead by word of mouth, and is venerated as one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. His feast is kept on June 14 in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic calendars.

By tradition St. John of Damascus composed liturgical verses in his honor, and a church was built in his memory at Constantinople.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints