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"Go on back," Elijah replied, "for what have I done to you?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/19-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/11_1Ki_19_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 19:20 - The Calling of Elisha" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you. Go on back, Elijah replied, for what have I done to you?" /><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><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="/vmenus/1_kings/19-20.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="/bmc/1_kings/19-20.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="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 20</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><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm" title="1 Kings 19:19">◄</a> 1 Kings 19:20 <a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm" title="1 Kings 19:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_kings/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_kings/19.htm">New International Version</a> Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. &#8220Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,&#8221 he said, &#8220and then I will come with you.&#8221 &#8220Go back,&#8221 Elijah replied. &#8220What have I done to you?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/19.htm">New Living Translation</a> Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.” <a href="/esv/1_kings/19.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/19.htm">King James Bible</a> And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/19.htm">New King James Version</a> And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he left the oxen behind and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/19.htm">NASB 1995</a> He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, &#8220Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.&#8221 And he said to him, &#8220Go back again, for what have I done to you?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So he forsook the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/amp/1_kings/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother [goodbye], then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go on back; for what have I done to [stop] you?” <a href="/csb/1_kings/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you? ” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, &#8220Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you."&#8221 Go on back,&#8221 he replied, &#8220for what have I done to you?&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/19.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again; for what have I done to thee? <a href="/cev/1_kings/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Elisha stopped plowing and ran after him. "Let me kiss my parents goodbye, then I'll go with you," he said. "You can go," Elijah said. "But remember what I've done for you." <a href="/erv/1_kings/19.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again; for what have I done to thee? <a href="/gwt/1_kings/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye. Then I will follow you." "Go back," Elijah answered him. "I'm not stopping you." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/19.htm">Good News Translation</a> Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!" <a href="/isv/1_kings/19.htm">International Standard Version</a> He abandoned the oxen, ran off to follow Elijah, and asked him, "Please, let me kiss my mother and father good-bye, and then I'll come after you." "Go back again," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" <a href="/msb/1_kings/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, ?Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.? ?Go on back,? Elijah replied, ?for what have I done to you?? <a href="/net/1_kings/19.htm">NET Bible</a> He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, then I will follow you." Elijah said to him, "Go back! Indeed, what have I done to you?" <a href="/nheb/1_kings/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me please kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." He said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" <a href="/wbt/1_kings/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said to him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? <a href="/web/1_kings/19.htm">World English Bible</a> Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me please kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” He said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he forsakes the ox, and runs after Elijah, and says, “Please let me give a kiss to my father and to my mother, and I go after you.” And he says to him, “Go, turn back, for what have I done to you?” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he forsaketh the oxen, and runneth after Elijah, and saith, 'Let me give a kiss, I pray thee, to my father and to my mother, and I go after thee.' And he saith to him, 'Go, turn back, for what have I done to thee?' <a href="/slt/1_kings/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will forsake the oxen and run after Elijah, and say, I will kiss now to my father and to my mother, and I will go after thee. And he will say to him, Go, turn back; for what did I to thee?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he forthwith left the oxen and ran after Elias, and said: Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said to him: Go, and return back: for that which was my part, I have done to thee. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And immediately, leaving behind the oxen, he ran after Elijah. And he said, “I beg you to let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him: “Go, and turn back. For what was mine to do, I have done concerning you.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/19.htm">New American Bible</a> Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! What have I done to you?” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he left the plough and the oxen and went after Elijah and said to him, Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you. And he said to him, Go back again; for what have I done to you? <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he left the plough of the oxen and he went after Elyah, and he said to him: “I shall go, I shall kiss my father and my mother and I shall come after you!” He said to him: “Return, go, for what have I done to you?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said: 'Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.' And he said unto him: 'Go back; for what have I done to thee?' <a href="/sep/1_kings/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Elisaie left the cattle, and ran after Eliu and said, I will kiss my father, and follow after thee. And Eliu said, Return, for I have done a work for thee. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/19-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=7732" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/19.htm">The Calling of Elisha</a> 19So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. 20<a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: way·ya·‘ă·zōḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">So Elisha left</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: hab·bā·qār (Art:: N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">the oxen,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7323.htm" title="7323: way·yā·rāṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To run. A primitive root; to run.">ran</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">after</a> <a href="/hebrew/452.htm" title="452: ’ê·lî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged teliyahuw; from 'el and Yahh; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites.">Elijah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/5401.htm" title="5401: ’eš·šə·qāh- (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To kiss, to equip with weapons. A primitive root; to kiss, literally or figuratively; also, to equip with weapons.">let me kiss</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: lə·’ā·ḇî (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">my father</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ū·lə·’im·mî (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">and mother goodbye,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·’ê·lə·ḵāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and then I will follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·re·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">you.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lêḵ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go on</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šūḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">back,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Elijah replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“for</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">have I done</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you?”</a> 21So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s equipment, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/9-61.htm">Luke 9:61-62</a> Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” / Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Matthew 4:18-22</a> As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ... <a href="/mark/1-16.htm">Mark 1:16-20</a> As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ... <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21-22</a> Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. <a href="/2_kings/2-2.htm">2 Kings 2:2</a> and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. <a href="/2_kings/2-6.htm">2 Kings 2:6</a> And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. <a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a> And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. <a href="/mark/10-29.htm">Mark 10:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. <a href="/luke/18-29.htm">Luke 18:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. <a href="/genesis/31-55.htm">Genesis 31:55</a> Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm">Deuteronomy 33:9</a> He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. <a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6-7</a> “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. <a href="/acts/20-37.htm">Acts 20:37</a> They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray you, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you. And he said to him, Go back again: for what have I done to you?he left<a href="/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20,22</a> And they straightway left their nets, and followed him… <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a> And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.<a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">Matthew 19:27</a> Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?Let me, I pray<a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21,22</a> And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father… <a href="/luke/9-61.htm">Luke 9:61,62</a> And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house… <a href="/acts/20-37.htm">Acts 20:37</a> And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,Go back again [heb] Go, return <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-13.htm">Forsaketh</a> <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Good-By</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-9.htm">Kiss</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-27.htm">Letting</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-23.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-21.htm">Please</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-3.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Runneth</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-15.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-22.htm">Forsaketh</a> <a href="/luke/9-61.htm">Good-By</a> <a href="/job/31-27.htm">Kiss</a> <a href="/job/10-17.htm">Letting</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-42.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-7.htm">Please</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-35.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-35.htm">Runneth</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-21.htm">Running</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-5.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 19</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">Elijah, threatened by Jezebel, flees to Beersheba</a> 4. <a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">In the desert, being weary of his life, he is comforted by an angel</a> 9. <a href="/1_kings/19-9.htm">At Horeb God appears unto him, sending him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha</a> 19. <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Elisha, taking leave of his friends, follows Elijah</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So Elisha left the oxen Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, indicating his wealth and status. Leaving the oxen symbolizes a significant life change, abandoning his former life to follow God's call. This act of leaving behind one's livelihood is reminiscent of the disciples leaving their nets to follow Jesus (<a href="/matthew/4-20.htm">Matthew 4:20</a>).ran after Elijah Elisha's immediate response to Elijah's call demonstrates his eagerness and commitment. Running signifies urgency and willingness to embrace God's mission. This mirrors the urgency seen in other biblical figures who respond to God's call, such as Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-4</a>).and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, Elisha's request to bid farewell to his parents shows respect for family ties, a significant cultural value in ancient Israel. This act is similar to the request made by a potential disciple in <a href="/luke/9-61.htm">Luke 9:61</a>, highlighting the tension between familial obligations and divine calling.and then I will follow you.” Elisha's intention to follow Elijah indicates his acceptance of the prophetic call. This mirrors the call to discipleship in the New Testament, where following Christ requires leaving behind former ways (<a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26-27</a>).“Go on back,” Elijah replied, Elijah's response suggests a test of Elisha's commitment. By allowing Elisha to return, Elijah respects his decision, emphasizing the voluntary nature of following God's call. This reflects the principle of free will in responding to God's invitation.“for what have I done to you?” Elijah's rhetorical question implies that the call is ultimately from God, not Elijah himself. It underscores the divine origin of the prophetic mission. This phrase can be seen as a reminder that the true calling comes from God, similar to how Jesus calls His disciples (<a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A farmer called by God to be a prophet, successor to Elijah. His immediate response to Elijah's call shows his willingness to leave his past life behind. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A major prophet in Israel, known for his powerful ministry and miracles. He is tasked with anointing Elisha as his successor. 3. <a href="/topical/o/oxen.htm">Oxen</a> Symbolic of Elisha's former life as a farmer. Leaving them signifies his readiness to embrace a new calling. 4. <a href="/topical/e/elisha's_parents.htm">Elisha's Parents</a> Represent Elisha's familial ties and responsibilities, which he seeks to honor before following Elijah. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_prophetic_ministry.htm">The Call to Prophetic Ministry</a> This event marks the transition of Elisha from a farmer to a prophet, highlighting the cost and commitment of following God's call.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following God's call often requires leaving behind familiar comforts and relationships. Elisha's willingness to leave his family and livelihood is a powerful example of commitment. <a href="/topical/i/immediate_obedience.htm">Immediate Obedience</a> Elisha's prompt response to Elijah's call demonstrates the importance of immediate obedience to God's direction in our lives. <a href="/topical/h/honoring_family.htm">Honoring Family</a> While Elisha was ready to follow Elijah, he also sought to honor his parents by saying goodbye, showing a balance between commitment to God and respect for family. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_call.htm">God's Sovereign Call</a> God's call can come at unexpected times and places. Elisha was in the middle of his daily work when he was called, reminding us to be ready for God's call at any moment. <a href="/topical/t/transition_and_transformation.htm">Transition and Transformation</a> Elisha's transition from farmer to prophet illustrates how God can transform our lives and use us for His purposes when we are willing to follow Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 19</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_mantle_in_the_bible.htm">What is the mantle in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_elijah_last_40_days_on_one_meal.htm">How could Elijah survive 40 days and 40 nights on a single meal with no mention of additional nourishment? (1 Kings 19:8)</a> <a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_10_1-11_justify_killing.htm">How does 2 Kings 10:1-11 reconcile mass slaughter with the broader biblical prohibition against murder?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_man_of_god.htm">What defines a man of God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Let me, I pray thee.--It is impossible not to compare this with the similar request made to our Lord (<a href="/context/luke/9-61.htm" title="And another also said, Lord, I will follow you; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.">Luke 9:61-62</a>) by one who declared readiness to follow Him. The comparison suggests that the answer of Elijah is one of half-ironical rebuke of what seemed hesitation--"Go back, if thou wilt; what have I done to constrain thee?" In both cases we have the stern but necessary rejection of half-hearted service, even if the heart be distracted by the most natural and sacred love. But Elijah sees that Elisha means simply farewell, and he apparently waits till it is over.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - And he left the oxen [As, being the last in the line, he could do, without stopping the others. It is probable too that, Elisha being the last, Elijah's action would not have been observed by the rest], and ran after Elijah [It is clear that Elisha both understood the act, and made up his mind at once. No doubt he too had long sighed and prayed over the demoralization of his country and the dishonour done to his God. Elijah, after casting the mantle, strode on, leaving it for Elisha to take or reject it. The latter soon showed his choice by running after him], and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him; Go back again [Heb. go, return]: for what have I done to thee? [There is not a word of reproof here, as Wordsworth and Rawlinson imagine. Indeed, it would have been strange if there had been. A greater readiness to obey the prophetic summons, Elisha could not well have showed. Forthwith, as soon as he realized his call, "he left the oxen and ran after" his newmaster. True, he asks permission - and why should he not? for "grace is no enemy to good nature" - to give a parting embrace to the father and mother to whom he owed his life, and whom he had been required by God to honour. But there is no proof of "a divided heart" here. If he had begged to be allowed to stay and bury his mother and father (St. <a href="/luke/9-59.htm">Luke 9:59-61</a>) it might have been otherwise. But he suggests nothing of the kind. He says: "One kiss, one farewell, and then I will follow thee." It is a complete mistake, consequently, to interpret Elijah's words to mean, "Go, return to thy ploughing, for why shouldst thou quit it?... Thou canst remain as thou art" (Rawlinson). Their true meaning, as evidenced by the sequel (ver. 21), clearly was, "Go back and kiss them; why shouldst thou not? For what have I done to thee? I have summoned thee to follow me. But I have not required thee to repudiate thine own flesh and blood."] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/19-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So Elisha left וַיַּעֲזֹ֣ב (way·ya·‘ă·zōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> To loosen, relinquish, permit the oxen, הַבָּקָ֗ר (hab·bā·qār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> Beef cattle, ox, a herd ran וַיָּ֙רָץ֙ (way·yā·rāṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7323.htm">Strong's 7323: </a> To run after אַחֲרֵ֣י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part Elijah, אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_452.htm">Strong's 452: </a> Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites and said, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Please נָּא֙ (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' let me kiss אֶשְּׁקָה־ (’eš·šə·qāh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5401.htm">Strong's 5401: </a> To kiss, to equip with weapons my father לְאָבִ֣י (lə·’ā·ḇî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father and mother [goodbye], וּלְאִמִּ֔י (ū·lə·’im·mî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> A mother, ) and then I will follow וְאֵלְכָ֖ה (wə·’ê·lə·ḵāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk you.” אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ (’a·ḥă·re·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part “Go on לֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk back,” שׁ֔וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again [Elijah] replied, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction what מֶה־ (meh-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what have I done עָשִׂ֖יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make to you?” לָֽךְ׃ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-20.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 19:20 He left the oxen and ran after (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 19:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 19:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 19:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 19:21" /></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" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>