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"Do not send them," Elisha replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/12_2Ki_02_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:16 - Elisha Succeeds Elijah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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. 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Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.&#8221 &#8220No,&#8221 Elisha replied, &#8220do not send them.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Sir,” they said, “just say the word and fifty of our strongest men will search the wilderness for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has left him on some mountain or in some valley.” “No,” Elisha said, “don’t send them.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the LORD has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then they said to him, “Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men; please let them go and search for your master, in case the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” But he said, “You shall not send anyone.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> They said to him, &#8220Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.&#8221 And he said, &#8220You shall not send.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty excellent men, please let them go and search for your master, lest the Spirit of Yahweh has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then they said to Elisha, “Behold now, there are among your servants fifty strong men; please let them go and search for your master. It may be that the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send anyone.” <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Since there are fifty strong men here with your servants, please let them go and search for your master. Maybe the Spirit of the LORD has carried him away and put him on one of the mountains or into one of the valleys.” He answered, “Don’t send them.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, &#8220Since there are 50 strong men here with your servants, please let them go and search for your master. Maybe the Spirit of the LORD has carried him away and put him on one of the mountains or into one of the valleys.&#8221 He answered, &#8220Don&#8217t send them.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they said unto him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and said, "There are 50 strong men here with us. Please let them go look for your master. Maybe the Spirit of the LORD carried him off to some mountain or valley." "No," Elisha replied, "they won't find him." <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They said to him, "There are 50 strong men here with us. Please let them go and search for your master. Maybe the LORD's Spirit lifted him up and dropped him on one of the hills or in one of the valleys." Elisha answered, "Don't send them [to look]." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> and said, "There are fifty of us here, all strong men. Let us go and look for your master. Maybe the spirit of the LORD has carried him away and left him on some mountain or in some valley." "No, you must not go," Elisha answered. <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then they asked Elisha, "Look! We have 50 valiant men here with your servant! Please let them go out and search for your master Elijah. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up on a mountain or into a valley." Elisha responded, "Don't bother searching." <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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. <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> They said to him, "Look, there are fifty capable men with your servants. Let them go and look for your master, for the wind sent from the LORD may have carried him away and dropped him on one of the hills or in one of the valleys." But Elisha replied, "Don't send them out." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And they said to him, "See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and thrown him into the Jordan, or on some mountain, or into some valley." And he said, "Do not send them." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they said to him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> They said to him, “See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps Yahweh’s Spirit has taken him up, and put him on some mountain or into some valley.” He said, “Don’t send them.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and say to him, “Now behold, there are fifty men with your servants, sons of valor: please let them go, and they seek your lord, lest the Spirit of YHWH has taken him up, and casts him on one of the hills or into one of the valleys”; and he says, “You do not send.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, there are with thy servants fifty men, sons of valour: let them go, we pray thee, and they seek thy lord, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and doth cast him on one of the hills, or into one of the valleys;' and he saith, 'Ye do not send.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say to him, Behold now, there is with thy servants fifty men, sons of strength: they shall go now and seek thy lord, lest the spirit of Jehovah lifted him up, and it will cast him upon one of the mountains or into one of the valleys. And he will say, Ye shall not send.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they said to him: Behold, there are with thy servants fifty strong men, that can go, and seek thy master, lest perhaps the spirit of the Lord hath taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley. And he said: Do not send. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they said to him, “Behold, with your servants there are fifty strong men, who are able to go forth and to seek your lord. For perhaps, the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley.” But he said, “Do not send them.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> They said, “Among your servants are fifty brave men. Let them go in search of your master. Perhaps the spirit of the LORD has lifted him up and left him on some mountain or in some valley.” He answered, “Do not send them.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They said to him, “See now, we have fifty strong men among your servants; please let them go and seek your master; it may be that the spirit of the LORD has caught him up and thrown him down on some mountain or into some valley.” He responded, “No, do not send them.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they said to him, Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men; let them go and seek your master, lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon one of the mountains or into one of the valleys. And he said, You shall not send. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they said to him: “Behold, there are here with your Servants fifty men, mighty men of power. Let them go and they will seek your Master, lest the Spirit of LORD JEHOVAH has taken him up and has cast him into one of the mountains, or in one of the rivers.” And he said: “You shall not send!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they said unto him: 'Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master; lest peradventure the spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley.' And he said: 'Ye shall not send.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they said to him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty men of strength: let them go now, and seek thy lord: peradventure the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up, and cast him into Jordan, or on one of the mountains, or on one of the hills. And Elisaie said, Ye shall not send. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-16.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=471" 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> 15When the sons of the prophets who were facing him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him. 16<a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">now,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Elisha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">“we your servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">have</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: ḥă·miš·šîm (Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty.">fifty</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥa·yil (N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">valiant</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">let them go</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: wî·ḇaq·šū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">and search for</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/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·ne·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">your master.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">Perhaps</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the Spirit</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/5375.htm" title="5375: nə·śā·’ōw (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">has taken him up</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: way·yaš·li·ḵê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">and put him</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: bə·’a·ḥaḏ (Prep-b:: Number-msc) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">on one</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: he·hā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">of the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: bə·’a·ḥaṯ (Prep-b:: Number-fsc) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">in one</a> <a href="/hebrew/1516.htm" title="1516: hag·gə·yå̄·ʾōṯ (Art:: N-cp) -- A valley. Or gay; probably from the same root as gevah; a gorge.">of the valleys.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: ṯiš·lā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">send them,”</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.">Elisha replied.</a> 17But 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.…<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="/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="/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="/luke/24-50.htm">Luke 24:50-51</a> When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. / While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. <a href="/mark/16-19.htm">Mark 16:19</a> After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. <a href="/john/14-12.htm">John 14:12</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. <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="/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="/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="/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="/1_thessalonians/4-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:17</a> After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. <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="/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="/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="/ezekiel/3-12.htm">Ezekiel 3:12-14</a> Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me: “Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His dwelling place!” / It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound. / So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. <a href="/isaiah/40-31.htm">Isaiah 40:31</a> But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they said to him, Behold now, there be with your servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray you, and seek your master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up, and cast him on some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, You shall not send.strong men [heb] sons of strength <a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm">1 Kings 18:12</a> And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.<a href="/ezekiel/3-14.htm">Ezekiel 3:14</a> So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.<a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm">Ezekiel 8:3</a> And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-7.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-5.htm">Master</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-7.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-23.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/2-21.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">Master</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-10.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-4.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm">Valley</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>"Look now," they said to Elisha The sons of the prophets, a group of prophetic disciples, address Elisha with respect, acknowledging his new leadership role after Elijah's departure. This reflects the transition of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha, a significant moment in Israel's spiritual history."we your servants have fifty valiant men." The mention of "fifty valiant men" indicates a group ready for action, emphasizing their willingness to serve and their physical capability. The number fifty may symbolize completeness or readiness, as seen in other biblical contexts, such as the Jubilee year."Please let them go and search for your master." The request to search for Elijah shows a lack of understanding or acceptance of Elijah's divine departure. It reflects human nature's struggle to comprehend miraculous events and the tendency to seek physical explanations for spiritual occurrences."Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up" This phrase acknowledges the power of the Spirit of the LORD, which had previously been demonstrated in Elijah's life. It connects to the miraculous nature of Elijah's ascension, reminiscent of Enoch's translation in <a href="/genesis/5-24.htm">Genesis 5:24</a> and foreshadowing the ascension of Jesus in <a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Acts 1:9</a>."and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys." The geographical reference to mountains and valleys suggests a search area within the rugged terrain of Israel, highlighting the natural landscape where many biblical events occurred. Mountains often symbolize places of divine encounter, as seen with Moses on Mount Sinai."Do not send them," Elisha replied. Elisha's response demonstrates his understanding and acceptance of Elijah's divine departure. It reflects his confidence in God's plan and his role as Elijah's successor. This moment underscores Elisha's faith and the prophetic insight granted to him, aligning with the continuity of God's work through His prophets.<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 prophets who were disciples or followers of Elijah and Elisha, residing in Jericho at this time. 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/t/the_spirit_of_the_lord.htm">The Spirit of the LORD</a> Refers to the divine power and presence of God, which the sons of the prophets believed might have relocated Elijah. 5. <a href="/topical/m/mountains_and_valleys.htm">Mountains and Valleys</a> Symbolic of the remote and hidden places where the sons of the prophets thought Elijah might have been taken.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Faith in God's Sovereignty</a> Elisha's response reflects a deep trust in God's plan and timing. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty, even when events are beyond our understanding. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_methods.htm">Understanding God's Methods</a> The sons of the prophets sought a logical explanation for Elijah's disappearance. This teaches us to recognize that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a> Elisha's leadership is evident as he guides the sons of the prophets. Spiritual leaders today are called to guide others with wisdom and discernment. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Elisha's instruction not to send the men highlights the importance of obedience to spiritual authority and divine guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Power of the Holy Spirit</a> The mention of the Spirit of the LORD emphasizes the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering believers.<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>(16) And they said unto him.--After he had told them of the Assumption of Elijah (Thenius).Fifty strong men.--See margin. Perhaps these were attendants on the members of the prophetic guild. (Comp. Elisha's servant Gehazi, and the fifty sons of the prophets, in <a href="/2_kings/2-7.htm" title="And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.">2Kings 2:7</a>.) Their being "sons of valour" was important, as the search in the mountains would involve danger.The Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up.--Comp. <a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you where I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but I your servant fear the LORD from my youth.">1Kings 18:12</a>; <a href="/context/acts/8-39.htm" title="And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.">Acts 8:39-40</a>. This suggestion of the sons of the prophets is a good comment on <a href="/context/2_kings/2-11.htm" title="And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.">2Kings 2:11-12</a>. It shows that what is there told is certainly not that Elijah ascended a fiery chariot and rode visibly into heaven, as the popular notion is.Upon some mountain, or into some valley.--Literally, on to one of the mountains, or into one of the valleys, of the land of Gilead. The motive of the disciples was not a desire to pay the last honours to the body of the departed master, as Keil suggests; for they rather expected to find Elijah alive. After the words "cast him," the LXX. has "into the Jordan," which may be authentic. In that case, the disciples may have thought the prophet was hidden somewhere among the reeds and rushes of the river bank, in order to escape some threatened danger. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - And they said unto him. Thenius suggests that Elisha first related to them what had befallen his master; but the impression left by the narrative is rather that they began the conversation, being aware of Elijah's disappearance, which in that clear atmosphere they may have distinctly perceived, though the ascension may not have been visible to them. Keil thinks that they saw the ascension, but supposed that the body, after being taken up a certain height into the air, would necessarily fall to earth, and that they wished to find it and bury it. But the natural interpretation is that they thought the prophet had been "caught away" by a Divine influence, as Philip the evangelist was in later times (<a href="/acts/8-39.htm">Acts 8:39</a>), and would be found somewhere alive, as Philip "was found at Azotus." Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; literally, sons of strength; i.e. stout, active persons, capable of climbing the rough and precipitous rocks among which they thought that Elijah might be east. Let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. On either side of the ciccar, or Jordan plain, are rugged districts, consisting of alternate rocky mountain slopes and narrow gulleys, or water-courses, dry during the greater part of the year. The sons of the prophets think that Elijah has been carried by the Spirit of God into one or other of these mountain tracts, and wish to search them. And he said, Ye shall not send; or, do not send; meaning, "it will be useless - you will find nothing - it is not as you suppose." <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Look הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! now,” נָ֣א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' they said וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to Elisha, אֵלָ֡יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to “we your servants עֲבָדֶיךָ֩ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant have יֵֽשׁ־ (yêš-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is fifty חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים (ḥă·miš·šîm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> Fifty valiant חַ֗יִל (ḥa·yil) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength men. אֲנָשִׁ֜ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person Please נָא֮ (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' let them go יֵ֣לְכוּ (yê·lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk and search for וִיבַקְשׁ֣וּ (wî·ḇaq·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after your master. אֲדֹנֶיךָ֒ (’ă·ḏō·ne·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller Perhaps פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest the Spirit ר֣וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (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 has taken him up נְשָׂאוֹ֙ (nə·śā·’ōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take and put him וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙ (way·yaš·li·ḵê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> To throw out, down, away on one בְּאַחַ֣ד (bə·’a·ḥaḏ) Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first of the mountains הֶהָרִ֔ים (he·hā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country or א֖וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if in one בְּאַחַ֣ת (bə·’a·ḥaṯ) Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first of the valleys.” הַגֵּאָי֑וֹת (hag·gê·’ā·yō·wṯ) Article | Noun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1516.htm">Strong's 1516: </a> A valley “Do not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no send them,” תִשְׁלָֽחוּ׃ (ṯiš·lā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out [Elisha] replied. וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (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 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:16 They said to him See now there (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:17" /></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>