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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Elisha: Bones of, Restore a Dead Man to Life</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/e/elisha--bones_of,_restore_a_dead_man_to_life.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_kings/13-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/e/elisha.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Elisha</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/e/elisha_traps_the_arameans.htm" title="Elisha Traps the Arameans">◄</a> Elisha: Bones of, Restore a Dead Man to Life <a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--called_by_elijah.htm" title="Elisha: Called by Elijah">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#nav" title="Nave's Topical Index">Nave's</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The account of Elisha's bones restoring a dead man to life is a remarkable event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in <a href="/2_kings/13-20.htm">2 Kings 13:20-21</a>. This narrative highlights the enduring power of God working through His prophet, even after Elisha's death, and serves as a testament to the divine authority bestowed upon Elisha during his lifetime.<br><br><b>Biblical Account</b><br><br>The event occurs after the death of Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah and performed numerous miracles during his ministry. The Berean Standard Bible recounts the incident as follows:<br><br>"Then Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring. Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a raiding party, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet." (<a href="/2_kings/13-20.htm">2 Kings 13:20-21</a>)<br><br><b>Context and Significance</b><br><br>This miraculous event takes place during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by frequent incursions by Moabite raiders. The Israelites, in haste and fear of the raiders, inadvertently place a dead man's body in Elisha's tomb. Upon contact with the prophet's bones, the man is miraculously revived, demonstrating the power of God that continued to reside with Elisha even after his death.<br><br>Theologically, this miracle underscores several key themes:<br><br>1. <b>Divine Power and Presence</b>: The incident illustrates that God's power is not limited by human constraints such as death. Elisha, a faithful servant of God, continues to be a vessel of divine power even in death, affirming the belief in God's omnipotence and His ability to work through His chosen instruments beyond their earthly lives.<br><br>2. <b>Prophetic Authority</b>: Elisha's life was marked by numerous miracles, including the purification of water, the multiplication of oil, and the raising of the Shunammite woman's son. The revival of the dead man through his bones serves as a posthumous validation of Elisha's prophetic authority and the authenticity of his ministry.<br><br>3. <b>Hope and Resurrection</b>: This event foreshadows the Christian doctrine of resurrection, offering a glimpse of hope and the promise of life beyond death. It serves as a precursor to the New Testament revelations of resurrection through Jesus Christ, reinforcing the belief in God's power to restore life.<br><br>4. <b>Symbol of God's Faithfulness</b>: The miracle is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Despite Israel's struggles and the threat of foreign invaders, God continues to demonstrate His presence and power among them, providing reassurance of His enduring commitment to His people.<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Insights</b><br><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife varied among cultures. The Israelites held a profound respect for the dead and the places of their burial. The unexpected revival of the dead man upon contact with Elisha's bones would have been a powerful sign to the Israelites, reinforcing their faith in the God of Israel and His prophets.<br><br>The narrative also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's intervention in human history, often in unexpected and miraculous ways, to accomplish His purposes and reveal His glory.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The account of Elisha's bones restoring a dead man to life remains a compelling testament to the enduring power of God and the prophetic authority of Elisha. It serves as a reminder of the hope of resurrection and the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness to His people throughout history.<a name="nav" id="nav"></a><div class="vheading2">Nave's Topical Index</div><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">2 Kings 13:21</a></span><br>And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.<br><span class="source">Nave's Topical Index</span><p><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/unknown/fathers_of_the_third_century_tertullian_appendix/4_a_strain_of_the.htm"><span class="l">A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 135 Be able after death <b>life</b> to <b>restore</b>? <b>...</b> Corpses long <b>dead</b> appear; and, wondering. <b>...</b><br> by Elijah and <b>Elisha</b>, the <b>man</b> who revived on touching <b>Elisha's bones</b>, and the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/athanasius/on_the_incarnation_of_the_word/chapter_6_refutation_of_the.htm"><span class="l">Refutation of the Jews</span></a> <br><b>...</b> hands and My feet, they counted all My <b>bones</b>, they divided <b>...</b> raised a <b>dead</b> person and<br> so did <b>Elisha</b>; but no <b>...</b> [54] "Answer" is LXX misreading for Hebrew "<b>restore</b>.". <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/constitutions_of_the_holy_apostles/sec_i_concerning_the_martyrs.htm"><span class="l">Concerning the Martyrs.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 2998] by Elijah, and the Shunammite's son [2999] by <b>Elisha</b>. <b>...</b> God shall form those<br> <b>bones</b> and that ashes into a <b>man</b> <b>...</b> But now He will <b>restore</b> the bodies, which have <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning the martyrs.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/the_life_of_s_hilarion.htm"><span class="l">The <b>Life</b> of S. Hilarion.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> enfeebled and his frame so wasted, that his <b>bones</b> scarcely held <b>...</b> you by His cross<br> and blood, to <b>restore</b> to me <b>...</b> for him to the people, as Elijah had <b>Elisha</b> as his <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_cviii_to_eustochium.htm"><span class="l">Letter cviii. To Eustochium.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> this was not, as he supposed, to <b>restore</b> her strength <b>...</b> There lie the prophets <b>Elisha</b><br> and Obadiah and John the <b>...</b> they are "full of <b>dead</b> men's <b>bones</b>." [2890] Paula <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm</font><p><a href="/library/ambrose/works_and_letters_of_st_ambrose/epistle_lxiii_limenius_bishop_of.htm"><span class="l">Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> O foolish <b>Elisha</b>, for feeding the prophets with wild and <b>...</b> of Scripture, though he<br> did <b>restore</b> the Scriptures <b>...</b> with humility and with mercy, your <b>bones</b>, as Isaiah <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/an_answer_to_the_jews/chapter_xiii_argument_from_the_destruction.htm"><span class="l">Argument from the Destruction of Jerusalem and Desolation of Judea <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> and feet: they counted all my <b>bones</b>; they themselves <b>...</b> And accordingly <b>Elisha</b>, having<br> taken "wood," and cast it <b>...</b> <b>Restore</b> to Judea the condition which Christ is to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter xiii argument from the destruction.htm</font><p><a href="/library/evans/the_great_doctrines_of_the_bible/the_doctrine_of_the_last.htm"><span class="l">The Doctrine of the Last Things.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> state; will rebuild the temple, and <b>restore</b> worship (Ezek <b>...</b> Resurrection through contact<br> with the <b>dead bones</b> of <b>Elisha</b>). <b>...</b> Luke 24:39)""flesh and <b>bones</b>," so not <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_17_1871/bought_with_a_price.htm"><span class="l">"Bought with a Price"</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of the prophet was hewing wood with <b>Elisha</b>, you remember <b>...</b> It may be that good medicine<br> would <b>restore</b> me if <b>...</b> when the breath is gone, your very <b>bones</b>, like those <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/bought with a price.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/the_wonders_of_prayer/lives_of_faith_and_trust.htm"><span class="l">Lives of Faith and Trust</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "For I will <b>restore</b> health unto <b>...</b> suffering for six months from a disease of his <b>bones</b>,<br> and had <b>...</b> <b>Elisha</b> works a miracle to produce a temporal mercy when he healed <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Elisha-double-portion.html">Why did Elisha request a double portion of Elijah's spirit? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Elijah-and-Elisha.html">What is the story of Elijah and Elisha? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Elisha-baldhead.html">Why did the Prophet Elisha curse the “youths” for making fun of his baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--bones_of,_restore_a_dead_man_to_life.htm">Elisha: Bones of, Restore a Dead Man to Life</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--called_by_elijah.htm">Elisha: Called by Elijah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--causes_the_king_to_restore_the_property_of_the_hospitable_shunammite_woman.htm">Elisha: Causes the King to Restore the Property of the Hospitable Shunammite Woman</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--death_of.htm">Elisha: Death of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--elijah_instructed_to_anoint.htm">Elisha: Elijah Instructed to Anoint</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--instructs_that_jehu_be_anointed_as_king_of_israel.htm">Elisha: Instructs That Jehu be Anointed As King of Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--life_of,_sought_by_jehoram.htm">Elisha: Life of, Sought by Jehoram</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--ministers_unto_elijah.htm">Elisha: Ministers Unto Elijah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_brings_blindness_upon_the_army_of_syria.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Brings Blindness Upon the Army of Syria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_divides_the_jordan.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Divides the Jordan</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_heals_naaman_the_leper.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Heals Naaman the Leper</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_increases_the_bread_to_feed_one-hundred_men.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Increases the Bread to Feed One-Hundred Men</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_increases_the_oil_of_the_woman_whose_sons_were_to_be_sold_for_her_debt.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Increases the Oil of the Woman Whose Sons Were to be Sold for Her Debt</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_neutralizes_the_poison_of_the_stew.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Neutralizes the Poison of the Stew</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_opens_the_eyes_of_his_servant_to_see_the_hosts_of_the_lord.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Opens the Eyes of his Servant to See the Hosts of the Lord</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_purifies_the_waters_of_jericho_by_casting_salt_into_the_fountain.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Purifies the Waters of Jericho by Casting Salt Into the Fountain</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_raises_the_son_of_the_shunammite_woman_from_the_dead.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Raises the Son of the Shunammite Woman from the Dead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_recovers_the_ax_that_had_fallen_into_a_stream_by_causing_it_to_float.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Recovers the Ax That had Fallen Into a Stream by Causing It to Float</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_reveals_the_counsel_of_the_king_of_syria.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Reveals the Counsel of the King of Syria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--miracles_of_sends_naaman's_leprosy_upon_gehazi_as_a_judgment.htm">Elisha: Miracles of Sends Naaman's Leprosy Upon Gehazi As a Judgment</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--mocked_by_the_young_men_of_beth-el.htm">Elisha: Mocked by the Young Men of Beth-El</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_bounty_to_the_starving_people_in_samaria.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of Bounty to the Starving People in Samaria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_elevation_of_hazael_to_the_throne.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of Elevation of Hazael to the Throne</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_seven_years_of_famine_in_the_land_of_canaan.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of Seven Years of Famine in the Land of Canaan</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_the_birth_of_a_son_to_the_shunammite_woman.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of The Birth of a Son to the Shunammite Woman</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_the_death_of_ben-hadad,_king_of_syria.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of The Death of Ben-Hadad, King of Syria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_the_death_of_the_unbelieving_prince.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of The Death of the Unbelieving Prince</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--prophecies_of_the_victory_of_jehoash_over_syria.htm">Elisha: Prophecies of The Victory of Jehoash Over Syria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--witnesses_elijah's_transporting,_receives_a_double_portion_of_his_spirit.htm">Elisha: Witnesses Elijah's Transporting, Receives a Double Portion of his Spirit</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/select_readings--elisha_and_the_widow's_oil.htm">Select Readings: Elisha and the Widow's Oil</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eli'sha.htm">Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elishah.htm">Elishah (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elisheba.htm">Elisheba (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elisha's.htm">Elisha's (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha (70 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/e/elisha_traps_the_arameans.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Elisha Traps the Arameans"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Elisha Traps the Arameans" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/e/elisha--called_by_elijah.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Elisha: Called by Elijah"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Elisha: Called by Elijah" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" 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