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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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" /><title>2 Kings 2:17 But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, "Send them." And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/12_2Ki_02_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:17 - Elisha Succeeds Elijah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, Send them. And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah." /><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/2_kings/2-17.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/2_kings/2-17.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="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 17</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="/ad17.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="/2_kings/2-16.htm" title="2 Kings 2:16">◄</a> 2 Kings 2:17 <a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm" title="2 Kings 2:18">►</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/2_kings/2.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/2_kings/2.htm">New International Version</a> But they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, &#8220Send them.&#8221 And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> But they kept urging him until they shamed him into agreeing, and he finally said, “All right, send them.” So fifty men searched for three days but did not find Elijah. <a href="/esv/2_kings/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Yet when they urged him until he was ashamed to refuse, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but did not find him. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, &#8220Send.&#8221 They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days, but did not find him. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when they urged him until he was embarrassed [to refuse them], he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find Elijah. <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> However, they urged him to the point of embarrassment, so he said, “Send them.” They sent fifty men, who looked for three days but did not find him. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> However, they urged him to the point of embarrassment, so he said, &#8220Send them.&#8221 They sent 50 men, who looked for three days but did not find him. <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They kept begging until he was embarrassed to say no. He finally agreed, and the prophets sent the men out. They looked three days for Elijah but never found him. <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the disciples kept urging him [to send the men] until he was embarrassed. So he said, "Send them." They sent 50 men who searched for three days without finding him. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But they insisted until he gave in and let them go. The fifty of them went and looked high and low for Elijah for three days, but didn't find him. <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But they persisted until he was frustrated, so he said, "Send them out!" So they sent out the 50 men, and they looked around for three days but did not find Elijah. <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, ?Send them.? And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But they were so insistent, he became embarrassed. So he said, "Send them out." They sent the fifty men out and they looked for three days, but could not find Elijah. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them." They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched for three days, but did not find him. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they press on him, until he is ashamed, and he says, “Send”; and they send fifty men, and they seek three days, and have not found him; <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they press upon him, till he is ashamed, and he saith, 'Send ye;' and they send fifty men, and they seek three days, and have not found him; <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will press upon him till he was ashamed, and he will say, Send. And they will send fifty men; and they will seek three days, and they found not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But they pressed him, till he consented, and said: Send. And they sent fifty men: and they sought three days but found him not. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they urged him, until he acquiesced and said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men. And after they had searched for three days, they did not find him. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> But they kept urging him, until he was embarrassed and said, “Send them.” So they sent the fifty men, who searched for three days without finding him. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they urged him till he was embarrassed, he said, Send. So they sent therefore fifty men; and they sought him for three days, but found him not. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they contended with him until he was ashamed of them, and he said: “Send!” And they sent fifty men and they looked for him three days, and they did not find him.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said: 'Send.' They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they pressed him until he was ashamed; and he said, Send. And they sent fifty men, and sought three days, and found him not. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-17.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/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=492" 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/2_kings/2.htm">Elisha Succeeds Elijah</a> …16“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied. 17<a href="/hebrew/6484.htm" title="6484: way·yip̄·ṣə·rū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To push, press. A primitive root; to peck at, i.e. stun or dull.">But when they pressed</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to the point of</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: bōš (V-Qal-Inf) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">embarrassment,</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.">he said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šə·lā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">“Send them.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·lə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">And they sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: ḥă·miš·šîm (Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty.">fifty</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: way·ḇaq·šū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">who searched for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šāh- (Number-ms) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mə·ṣā·’u·hū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">find Elijah.</a> 18When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”…<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="/1_kings/18-12.htm">1 Kings 18:12</a> I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth. <a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Acts 1:9-11</a> After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” <a href="/1_kings/18-10.htm">1 Kings 18:10</a> As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you. <a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1-3</a> After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. <a href="/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43-44</a> “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” / On the seventh time the servant reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” And Elijah replied, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” <a href="/luke/24-51.htm">Luke 24:51</a> While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. <a href="/1_samuel/10-22.htm">1 Samuel 10:22</a> So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” <a href="/mark/9-2.htm">Mark 9:2-4</a> After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. <a href="/genesis/5-24.htm">Genesis 5:24</a> Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away. <a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Acts 8:39-40</a> When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. / But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea. <a href="/exodus/24-15.htm">Exodus 24:15-18</a> When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, / and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Hebrews 11:5</a> By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. <a href="/deuteronomy/34-5.htm">Deuteronomy 34:5-6</a> So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. / And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave. <a href="/revelation/11-12.htm">Revelation 11:12</a> And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them. <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11-12</a> Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.they urged<a href="/2_samuel/18-22.htm">2 Samuel 18:22,23</a> Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? … <a href="/luke/11-8.htm">Luke 11:8</a> I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.<a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2</a> For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.found him not<a href="/hebrews/11-5.htm">Hebrews 11:5</a> By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-3.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-25.htm">Find</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">Found</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/1-35.htm">Persisted</a> <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Press</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-20.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-6.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-5.htm">Shamed</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-40.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-1.htm">Three</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">Urged</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/8-11.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">Find</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-22.htm">Persisted</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-27.htm">Press</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-24.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-18.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-11.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-11.htm">Shamed</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-8.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-10.htm">Three</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Urged</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 2</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan</a> 9. <a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven</a> 12. <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknowledged his successor</a> 16. <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him.</a> 19. <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters</a> 23. <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha</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/2_kings/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment Elisha, having witnessed Elijah's ascension, was confident that Elijah had been taken by God. The sons of the prophets, however, insisted on searching for Elijah, reflecting a lack of faith or understanding of the miraculous event. This persistence highlights human doubt and the struggle to accept divine actions. The cultural context of the time often involved searching for missing persons, especially prophets, who were seen as vital to the community's spiritual life.he said, “Send them.” Elisha's eventual consent to send the search party demonstrates patience and humility. Despite his certainty, he allows the sons of the prophets to satisfy their doubts. This act can be seen as a teaching moment, where Elisha accommodates their weakness in faith, similar to how Jesus often met people where they were in their understanding.And they sent fifty men The number fifty is significant in biblical terms, often associated with jubilee and deliverance. Here, it may symbolize a complete and thorough search effort. The use of a large group underscores the seriousness with which the sons of the prophets approached the task, reflecting their respect and concern for Elijah.who searched for three days The three-day search period is symbolic, often representing completeness or a significant period of waiting in the Bible. This mirrors other biblical events, such as Jonah in the belly of the fish and Jesus in the tomb, where three days signify a transition or transformation.but did not find Elijah The failure to find Elijah confirms Elisha's testimony of his master's divine departure. This outcome reinforces the miraculous nature of Elijah's ascension and serves as a testament to God's power and the truth of His prophets. It also foreshadows the ultimate ascension of Jesus Christ, who, like Elijah, was taken up into heaven, leaving behind a legacy of faith and divine mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet and the successor of Elijah, who had just witnessed Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_the_prophets.htm">The Sons of the Prophets</a> A group of prophetic disciples who were aware of Elijah's departure and insisted on searching for him despite Elisha's initial refusal. 3. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A major prophet in Israel who was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving Elisha as his successor. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jordan_river.htm">Jordan River</a> The location near where Elijah was taken up and where the sons of the prophets wanted to search for him. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_search_party.htm">The Search Party</a> Fifty men sent by the sons of the prophets to search for Elijah, despite Elisha's assurance that he was gone.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_revelation.htm">Trust in God's Revelation</a> Elisha's initial refusal to send a search party demonstrates his trust in God's revelation and the finality of Elijah's departure. We are called to trust in God's word and His plans, even when others doubt or question. <a href="/topical/t/the_pressure_of_public_opinion.htm">The Pressure of Public Opinion</a> Elisha eventually relents to the pressure of the sons of the prophets. This teaches us about the challenges of standing firm in our convictions when faced with persistent opposition or doubt from others. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_effort_without_divine_guidance.htm">The Futility of Human Effort Without Divine Guidance</a> The fruitless search for Elijah highlights the futility of human efforts when they are not aligned with God's will. We should seek God's guidance in our endeavors to ensure they are fruitful. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_patience_and_understanding.htm">The Role of Patience and Understanding</a> Elisha's patience with the sons of the prophets, despite their insistence, is a model for how we should deal with others who may not yet understand God's plans or revelations. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_the_unseen.htm">The Importance of Faith in the Unseen</a> The event challenges us to have faith in what we cannot see, trusting in God's supernatural actions and His control over all circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 2</a> <a href="/q/2_kings_17_34-39__why_did_god_reject_israel.htm">2 Kings 17:34-39 - If God's covenant with Israel was everlasting, how does the text reconcile this with the assertion that He 'rejected all the descendants of Israel?'</a> <a href="/q/how_did_hezekiah_invite_exiled_israel.htm">In 2 Chronicles 30:6, how could King Hezekiah send invitations throughout the northern kingdom if they had already been exiled according to 2 Kings 17?</a> <a href="/q/2_kings_17_24-29__do_gods_align_with_cultural_patterns.htm">2 Kings 17:24-29 - Does the portrayal of each nation setting up its own gods align with known cultural assimilation patterns or does it conflict with archaeological findings?</a> <a href="/q/does_hazael's_campaign_lack_evidence.htm">The mention of Hazael's campaign (2 Kings 12:17) lacks archaeological evidence; does this cast doubt on the chapter's historicity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Urged him.--<a href="/genesis/33-11.htm" title="Take, I pray you, my blessing that is brought to you; because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.">Genesis 33:11</a>.Till he was ashamed.--Literally, unto being ashamed. The pronoun is not expressed in the Hebrew. "They pressed upon him, 'ad b?sh," means "until he was embarrassed, disconcerted, put out of countenance." (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/8-11.htm" title="And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.">2Kings 8:11</a>; <a href="/judges/3-25.htm" title="And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.">Judges 3:25</a>.) Thenius prefers "they carried their importunity to a shameless length;" Keil and Bahr, "until he was disappointed in the hope of dissuading them." (Comp. <a href="/psalms/22-5.htm" title="They cried to you, and were delivered: they trusted in you, and were not confounded.">Psalm 22:5</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - And when they urged him, till he was ashamed, he said, Send; literally, when they urged him until shame; which some expound to mean, "until they were ashamed to press him any more" (Gesenius, Winer, Keil); but others, with more reason, "until he was ashamed to persist in his refusal" (ἑὼς οῦ ἠσχύνετο, LXX.). It is always a hard thing for one man to refuse the repeated and earnest request of a multitude. When Elisha said, "Send," he had not in the least changed his mind; he only meant to say, "Send, then, if you insist upon it, to satisfy yourselves, not me. There is no harm in your sending." They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. The result bore out the advice and anticipations of the prophet. It was simply nil. No trace was found of the aged seer who had been translated from earth to heaven. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But when they pressed וַיִּפְצְרוּ־ (way·yip̄·ṣə·rū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6484.htm">Strong's 6484: </a> To peck at, stun, dull him ב֥וֹ (ḇōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> to the point of עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while embarrassment, בֹּ֖שׁ (bōš) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed he said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (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 “Send [them].” שְׁלָ֑חוּ (šə·lā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out And they sent וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ (way·yiš·lə·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out fifty חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים (ḥă·miš·šîm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> Fifty men, אִ֔ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person who searched for וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ (way·ḇaq·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after three שְׁלֹשָֽׁה־ (šə·lō·šāh-) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> Three, third, thrice days יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day but did not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no find [Elijah]. מְצָאֻֽהוּ׃ (mə·ṣā·’u·hū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-17.htm">2 Kings 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:17 When they urged him until he was (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:18" /></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>