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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 2:24 Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/12_2Ki_02_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:24 - Elisha Mocked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. 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Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. <a href="/esv/2_kings/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two of the boys. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he looked behind him and saw them. And he cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number. <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When he turned around and looked at them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore to pieces forty-two of the boys. <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the children. <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two lads of them. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Elisha turned around and stared at the boys. Then he cursed them in the name of the LORD. At once two bears ran out of the woods and ripped to pieces 42 of the boys. <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Looking back, he saw them and cursed them in the LORD's name. Two bears came out of the woods and tore 42 of these youths apart. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Elisha turned around, glared at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys to pieces. <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> He looked behind him, took note of the young men, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears emerged from the woods and mauled 42 of the young men. <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> When he turned around and saw them, he called God's judgment down on them. Two female bears came out of the woods and ripped forty-two of the boys to pieces. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tore forty and two children of them. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in Yahweh’s name. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of those youths. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he looks behind him, and sees them, and declares them vile in the Name of YHWH, and two bears come out of the forest and ripped apart forty-two of the boys. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he looketh behind him, and seeth them, and declareth them vile in the name of Jehovah, and two bears come out of the forest, and rend of them forty and two lads. <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will turn behind him and see them, and he will curse them in the name of Jehovah. And, two she-bears will come forth from the forest and will rend of them forty and two children.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And looking back, he saw them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord: and there came forth two bears out of the forest, and tore of them two and forty boys. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when he had looked back, he saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two bears went out from the forest, and they wounded forty-two boys among them. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the children to pieces. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When he turned around and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he turned back and saw them and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she-bears out of the forest, and tore forty-two of the boys. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he turned back and he saw them, and he cursed them in the name of LORD JEHOVAH. And two she bears went out from the forest and lacerated fortytwo boys of them.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tore forty and two children of them. <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he turned after them, and saw them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And, behold, there came out two bears out of the wood, and they tore forty and two children of them. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-24.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=566" 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 Mocked</a> 23From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24<a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: way·yi·p̄en (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">Then he turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">around,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yir·’êm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">looked at them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: way·qal·lêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">and called down a curse on them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: bə·šêm (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">in the name</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·ta·yim (Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">Suddenly two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1677.htm" title="1677: dub·bîm (N-fp) -- A bear. Or dowb; from dabab; the bear.">female bears</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: wat·tê·ṣe·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">came out</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3293.htm" title="3293: hay·ya·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- From an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb.">the woods</a> <a href="/hebrew/1234.htm" title="1234: wat·tə·ḇaq·qa‘·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To cleave, break open or through. A primitive root; to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open.">and mauled</a> <a href="/hebrew/mê·hem (Prep-m:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: ’ar·bā·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">forty-two</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·nê (Conj-w:: Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: yə·lā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">of the boys.</a> 25And Elisha went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.…<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="/leviticus/26-21.htm">Leviticus 26:21-22</a> If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins. / I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-23.htm">Deuteronomy 32:23-25</a> I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them. / They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust. / Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man. <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Hosea 13:8</a> Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart. <a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3-5</a> Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">2 Chronicles 36:16</a> But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Isaiah 3:5</a> The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable. <a href="/ezekiel/5-17.htm">Ezekiel 5:17</a> I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.” <a href="/amos/5-10.htm">Amos 5:10</a> There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity. <a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Matthew 10:14-15</a> And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. <a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Matthew 18:6</a> But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. <a href="/mark/6-11.htm">Mark 6:11</a> If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.” <a href="/luke/10-10.htm">Luke 10:10-12</a> But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, / ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ / I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. <a href="/luke/17-2.htm">Luke 17:2</a> It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Acts 13:10-11</a> and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? / Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a> Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.cursed them<a href="/2_kings/1-10.htm">2 Kings 1:10-12</a> And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty… <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Genesis 9:25</a> And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.<a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-26</a> But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: … she bears<a href="/2_samuel/17-8.htm">2 Samuel 17:8</a> For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.<a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm">Proverbs 17:12</a> Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.<a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Proverbs 28:15</a> As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.children of them<a href="/exodus/20-5.htm">Exodus 20:5</a> Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;<a href="/1_kings/13-24.htm">1 Kings 13:24</a> And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.<a href="/1_kings/19-17.htm">1 Kings 19:17</a> And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">Declareth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Female</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-21.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-8.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Forty-Two</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-14.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-28.htm">Mauled</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-8.htm">Rend</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-31.htm">Tare</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-5.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-32.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-38.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-21.htm">Woods</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Youths</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/39-1.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-34.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-7.htm">Declareth</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Female</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-23.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-35.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-9.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-14.htm">Forty-Two</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm">Lads</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-28.htm">Mauled</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">Rend</a> <a href="/mark/9-20.htm">Tare</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-25.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-12.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/esther/7-6.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-4.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-16.htm">Woods</a> <a href="/job/29-8.htm">Youths</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>Then he turned around This phrase indicates a deliberate action by Elisha, the prophet. In the biblical context, turning around often signifies a moment of confrontation or decision. Elisha's turning around suggests he is addressing the situation directly and with authority. This action is reminiscent of other biblical figures who turn to address challenges or adversaries, such as Moses turning to face the Israelites' complaints.looked at them Elisha's gaze upon the boys is significant, as it implies a moment of judgment. In biblical narratives, the act of looking often precedes a divine or prophetic action. This mirrors instances where God or His prophets look upon a situation before intervening, such as God looking upon the earth before the flood in Genesis.and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD Invoking the name of the LORD signifies the seriousness and authority of the curse. In ancient Israel, a curse was not merely a wish for harm but a pronouncement believed to have real power when spoken by a prophet. The use of God's name underscores that this is not a personal vendetta by Elisha but an act of divine justice. This reflects the biblical principle that God's name carries authority and power, as seen in the Ten Commandments' prohibition against taking the LORD's name in vain.Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods The sudden appearance of the bears indicates divine intervention. In the ancient Near East, bears were known to inhabit forested areas, and their emergence here is seen as a direct response to Elisha's curse. The specificity of "two female bears" may suggest a completeness or fullness of judgment. This event can be compared to other instances where God uses animals to fulfill His purposes, such as the lions in Daniel's den.and mauled forty-two of the boys The number forty-two is significant in biblical numerology, often associated with judgment and testing. The severity of the mauling serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of mocking God's appointed prophets. This incident highlights the seriousness with which God defends His messengers and the importance of respecting divine authority. It also serves as a type of Christ, as Jesus, too, faced mockery and rejection, yet His authority was ultimately vindicated.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet of God and the successor of Elijah. He is the central figure in this passage, demonstrating the authority and power given to him by God. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_youths.htm">The Youths</a> A group of young men who mocked Elisha, showing disrespect not only to him but also to God, whom Elisha represented. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_bears.htm">The Bears</a> Two female bears that emerged from the woods as a direct response to Elisha's curse, serving as instruments of divine judgment. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a> The location near where this event took place. Bethel was a center of idol worship at the time, which may have influenced the youths' disrespectful behavior. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The God of Israel, whose name Elisha invoked when calling down the curse, emphasizing the divine authority behind the prophet's actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_anointed.htm">Respect for God's Anointed</a> Elisha's experience teaches the importance of respecting those whom God has appointed as leaders and representatives. Disrespect towards them is seen as disrespect towards God Himself. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_mockery.htm">The Consequences of Mockery</a> The incident with the bears serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of mocking or belittling God's work and His messengers. <a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a> God's justice may seem severe, but it is always righteous. This passage encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom and justice, even when it is difficult to understand. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a> Elisha's curse, spoken in the name of the LORD, demonstrates the power of words, especially when aligned with God's will. Believers are reminded to use their words wisely and prayerfully.<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/why_do_2_chr_24_and_2_kgs_12_differ.htm">Why does the account of Joash's temple restoration in 2 Chronicles 24 seem to conflict with the version in 2 Kings 12 regarding the funds and methods used?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_'baldhead'_an_insult_then.htm">Why was "baldhead" considered an insult in Elisha's time?</a> <a href="/q/jeremiah_5_6__are_wild_animal_attacks_credible.htm">Jeremiah 5:6 – How is this threat of wild animals attacking people scientifically or historically credible, given the period's recorded encounters with such creatures? </a> <a href="/q/jehoiachin's_reign_duration.htm">How long did Jehoiachin reign? (2 Kings 24:8 vs. 2 Chronicles 36:9)</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>(24) He turned back.--The boys were following him with their jeers. Thenius says, "The wanton young people, who had not courage to attack except in the rear, had stolen round him."Cursed them.--"To avenge the honour of Jehovah, violated in his person" (Keil). (Comp. <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm" title="And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD hears your murmurings which you murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.">Exodus 16:8</a>; <a href="/acts/5-4.htm" title="Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God.">Acts 5:4</a>.)And there came forth.--Whether at once, and in the presence of Elisha, or not, is uncertain. Thenius supposes that on some occasion or other a terrible calamity had fallen on some person or persons after such a mockery of Elisha, or of some other prophet (!); and that in the desire to magnify the divinely maintained inviolability of the prophetic office, the author of the above narrative has overlooked the immoral character of cursing, especially in the case of wanton children. He then contrasts the behaviour of the "historical" David (<a href="/2_samuel/16-10.htm" title="And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why have you done so?">2Samuel 16:10</a>). But (1) the curse of a prophet was an inspired prediction of punitive disaster; (2) Beth-el was a chief seat of idolatry (<a href="/1_kings/12-29.htm" title="And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.">1Kings 12:29</a>, seq.; <a href="/amos/4-4.htm" title="Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:">Amos 4:4</a>; <a href="/amos/5-5.htm" title="But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing.">Amos 5:5</a>; <a href="/amos/7-10.htm" title="Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos has conspired against you in the middle of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.">Amos 7:10</a>), and the mobbing of the new prophetic leader may have been premeditated; (3) at all events, the narrative is too brief to enable us to judge of the merits of the case; and (4) what is related belongs to that dispensation in which judgment was made more prominent than mercy, and directly fulfils the menace of <a href="/leviticus/26-21.htm" title="And if you walk contrary to me, and will not listen to me; I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins.">Leviticus 26:21</a>, seq. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 24. - And he turned back, and looked on them; rather, and he looked behind him, and saw them, as in the Revised Version. The boys, after the manner of boys, were following him, hanging upon him, not daring to draw too near, hooting him from behind, as ill-bred and ill-intentioned youths are apt to do. And cursed them in the name of the Lord. The action cannot be defended from a Christian point of view - Christians have no right to curse any one. But we can well understand that, under the old covenant, a prophet newly installed in office, and commencing his ministry, might deem it right to vindicate the honor of his office by visiting such conduct as that of these misguided youths with a malediction. Under the Law God's ministers were required to curse the disobedient (<a href="/deuteronomy/27-14.htm">Deuteronomy 27:14-26</a>). Elisha could not tell what would be the effect of his curse. It could have no effect at all excepting through the will and by the action of God. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood; or, the forest; i.e. the forest, which, as all knew, lay within a short distance of Bethel, and was the haunt of wild beasts (see <a href="/1_kings/3-24.htm">1 Kings 3:24</a>). And tare forty and two children of them. It is not said how far the lads were injured, whether fatally or not. But the punishment, whatever its severity, came from God, not from the prophet, and we may be sure was just. For "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" A severe example may have been needed under the circumstances of the time, when a new generation was growing up in contempt of God and of religion; and the sin of the lads was not a small one, but indicated that determined bent of the will against good, and preference of evil, which is often developed early, and generally goes on from bad to worse. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then he turned וַיִּ֤פֶן (way·yi·p̄en) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> To turn, to face, appear, look around, אַֽחֲרָיו֙ (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part looked at them, וַיִּרְאֵ֔ם (way·yir·’êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see and called down a curse on them וַֽיְקַלְלֵ֖ם (way·qal·lêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> To be slight, swift or trifling in the name בְּשֵׁ֣ם (bə·šêm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name of the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Suddenly two שְׁתַּ֤יִם (šə·ta·yim) Number - fd <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) female bears דֻּבִּים֙ (dub·bîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1677.htm">Strong's 1677: </a> The bear came out וַתֵּצֶ֨אנָה (wat·tê·ṣe·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim of מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the woods הַיַּ֔עַר (hay·ya·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3293.htm">Strong's 3293: </a> A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb and mauled וַתְּבַקַּ֣עְנָה (wat·tə·ḇaq·qa‘·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1234.htm">Strong's 1234: </a> To cleave, to rend, break, rip, open forty-two אַרְבָּעִ֥ים (’ar·bā·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> Forty of the young men. יְלָדִֽים׃ (yə·lā·ḏîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> Something born, a lad, offspring <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-24.htm">2 Kings 2:24 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:24 He looked behind him and saw them (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:25" /></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>