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"Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/12_2Ki_02_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:9 - Elijah Taken to Heaven" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you? 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And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask me what I should do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, &#8220Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.&#8221 And Elisha said, &#8220Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now it came about when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened when they crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And when they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.” So Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, &#8220Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.&#8221 So Elisha answered, &#8220Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> After they had reached the other side, Elijah said, "Elisha, the LORD will soon take me away. What can I do for you before that happens?" Elisha answered, "Please give me twice as much of your power as you give the other prophets, so I can be the one who takes your place as their leader." <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> While they were crossing, Elijah asked Elisha, "What should I do for you before I'm taken from you?" Elisha answered, "Let me inherit a double share of your spirit." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> There, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken away." "Let me receive the share of your power that will make me your successor," Elisha answered. <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they had crossed the Jordan River, Elijah invited Elisha, "Ask me what you want me to do for you before I'm taken away from you." So Elisha asked, "Please, may there be a double portion of your spirit upon me!" <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, ?Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?? ?Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,? Elisha replied. <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, at their passing over, that Elijah has said to Elisha, “Ask what I do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha says, “Indeed, please let there be a double portion of your spirit to me”; <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, at their passing over, that Elijah hath said unto Elisha, 'Ask, what do I do for thee before I am taken from thee?' and Elisha saith, 'Then let there be, I pray thee, a double portion of thy spirit unto me;' <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be as they passed through and Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I shall be taken from thee. And Elisha will say, Now shall the mouth of two in thy spirit be to me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when they were gone over, Elias said to Eliseus: Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliseus said: I beseech thee that in me may be thy double spirit. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when they had gone across, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what you wish that I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “I beg you, that twice your spirit may be accomplished in me.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken away from you. And Elisha said, Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when they had crossed, Elyah said to Elisha: “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” and Elisha said: “Let a double of your spirit be upon me!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha: 'Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken from thee.' And Elisha said: 'I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass while they were crossing over, that Eliu said to Elisaie, Ask what I shall do for thee before I am taken up from thee. And Elisaie said, Let there be, I pray thee, a double portion of thy spirit upon me. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-9.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=372" 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">Elijah Taken to Heaven</a> …8And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">After</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ḵə·‘ā·ḇə·rām (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">they had crossed over,</a> <a href="/hebrew/452.htm" title="452: wə·’ê·lî·yā·hū (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged teliyahuw; from 'el and Yahh; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites.">Elijah</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Elisha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šə·’al (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">“Tell me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ’e·‘ĕ·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">can I do</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">for you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2962.htm" title="2962: bə·ṭe·rem (Prep-b:: Adv) -- From an unused root apparently meaning to interrupt or suspend; properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: ’el·lā·qaḥ (V-Nifal-Imperf-1cs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">I am taken away</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: mê·‘im·māḵ (Prep-m:: 2fs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">from you?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wî·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">let me</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">inherit</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·na·yim (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">a double</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî- (N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">portion</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: bə·rū·ḥă·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-csc:: 2ms) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">of your spirit,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Elisha</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.">replied.</a> 10“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”…<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="/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/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a> But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” <a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5-14</a> One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” / Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. / And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. ... <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/luke/11-13.htm">Luke 11:13</a> So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” <a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a> Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19-21</a> So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah. <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16-17</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself. <a href="/1_samuel/10-6.htm">1 Samuel 10:6</a> Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-31.htm">1 Corinthians 12:31</a> But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. <a href="/1_timothy/4-14.htm">1 Timothy 4:14</a> Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. <a href="/1_kings/19-16.htm">1 Kings 19:16</a> You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm">1 Corinthians 14:1</a> Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. <a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a> And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be on me.Ask what<a href="/2_kings/13-14.htm">2 Kings 13:14-19</a> Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof… <a href="/numbers/27-16.htm">Numbers 27:16-23</a> Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, … <a href="/deuteronomy/34-9.htm">Deuteronomy 34:9</a> And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.Elisha said<a href="/numbers/11-17.htm">Numbers 11:17,25</a> And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone… <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a> Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?<a href="/2_chronicles/1-9.htm">2 Chronicles 1:9,10</a> Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude… <a href="/numbers/27-20.htm">Numbers 27:20</a> And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.<a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a> But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.<a href="/zechariah/9-12.htm">Zechariah 9:12</a> Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">Double</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-7.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-5.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-8.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-37.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-6.htm">Please</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-21.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Side</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-10.htm">Special</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-24.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Crossed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-33.htm">Double</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-18.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-10.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-23.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-10.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Side</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-20.htm">Special</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Spirit</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>After they had crossed over This phrase refers to Elijah and Elisha crossing the Jordan River, a significant geographical and symbolic location in biblical history. The Jordan River often represents a boundary or transition point, as seen when the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). This crossing signifies a moment of transition and preparation for Elisha's upcoming role as a prophet.Elijah said to Elisha Elijah, a major prophet in Israel, is speaking to Elisha, his chosen successor. This moment highlights the mentor-mentee relationship between the two prophets. Elijah's role as a prophet was marked by miraculous acts and a strong call to return Israel to the worship of Yahweh. Elisha, who had been following and learning from Elijah, is about to take on this mantle of leadership.“Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” Elijah's question indicates his awareness of his impending departure, which is a divine appointment. The phrase "taken away" foreshadows Elijah's unique departure from earth, as he would be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (<a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11</a>). This question also reflects the tradition of a departing leader bestowing a blessing or inheritance upon a successor, similar to the patriarchal blessings seen in Genesis.“Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. Elisha's request for a "double portion" is rooted in the cultural context of inheritance laws, where the firstborn son received a double portion of the father's estate (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a>). Elisha is not asking for twice the power of Elijah but rather to be recognized as his rightful spiritual heir. The "spirit" refers to the prophetic spirit and power that characterized Elijah's ministry. This request underscores Elisha's desire for the necessary empowerment to fulfill his prophetic calling. The concept of a "double portion" can also be seen as a type of Christ, who imparts the Holy Spirit to His followers, enabling them to continue His work on earth (<a href="/john/14-12.htm">John 14:12-17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A major prophet in Israel, known for his powerful miracles and his role in turning the hearts of the Israelites back to God. He is about to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> The devoted disciple and successor of Elijah, who desires to carry on Elijah's prophetic ministry with even greater power and effectiveness. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jordan_river.htm">Jordan River</a> The place where Elijah and Elisha cross over before Elijah is taken up. It symbolizes a transition and a place of divine encounters. 4. <a href="/topical/d/double_portion.htm">Double Portion</a> A term that refers to the inheritance rights of the firstborn son, symbolizing Elisha's request for a greater measure of Elijah's prophetic spirit. 5. <a href="/topical/h/heavenly_ascension.htm">Heavenly Ascension</a> The event where Elijah is taken up to heaven, marking a significant transition in prophetic leadership from Elijah to Elisha.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/desire_for_spiritual_inheritance.htm">Desire for Spiritual Inheritance</a> Elisha's request for a double portion reflects a deep desire for spiritual inheritance and empowerment. As believers, we should seek to inherit and cultivate spiritual gifts and responsibilities. <a href="/topical/m/mentorship_and_succession.htm">Mentorship and Succession</a> Elijah and Elisha's relationship highlights the importance of mentorship in spiritual growth. We should seek godly mentors and also be willing to mentor others in their faith journey. <a href="/topical/b/boldness_in_prayer.htm">Boldness in Prayer</a> Elisha's bold request teaches us to approach God with confidence and faith, asking for what we need to fulfill our calling. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_greater_works.htm">Preparation for Greater Works</a> Elisha's preparation under Elijah's mentorship prepared him for greater works. We should be diligent in our preparation and training for the tasks God has for us. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_following.htm">Faithfulness in Following</a> Elisha's faithfulness in following Elijah until the end is a model of perseverance and dedication. We are called to be faithful in our walk with God, even when the path is challenging.<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/what_is_elisha's_double_spirit.htm">What is Elisha's double portion of Elijah's spirit?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_man_of_god.htm">What defines a man of God?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_key_events_in_2_kings.htm">What are the key events in 2 Kings?</a> <a href="/q/what_to_do_when_pastor_leaves.htm">What should be done when a pastor leaves?</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>(9) I pray thee, let . . .--Literally, And (i.e., well, then) let there fall, I pray thee, a portion of two in thy spirit, unto me.A double portion.--The expression used in <a href="/deuteronomy/21-7.htm" title="And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.">Deuteronomy 21:7</a> of the share of the firstborn son, who by the Mosaic law inherited two parts of his father's property.Elisha asks to be treated as the firstborn among "the sons of the prophets," and so to receive twice as great a share of "the spirit and power" of his master as any of the rest. "Let me be the firstborn among thy spiritual sons;" "Make me thy true spiritual heir;" not "Give me twice as great a share of the spirit of prophecy as thou possessest thyself," as many have wrongly interpreted. The phrase, "a mouth of two," seems to be a metaphor derived from the custom of serving honoured guests with double, and even greater, messes (<a href="/genesis/43-34.htm" title="And he took and sent messes to them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.">Genesis 43:34</a>).Ask what I shall do for thee . . . from thee.--As a dying father, Elijah might wish to bless his spiritual son ere his departure (<a href="/genesis/27-4.htm" title="And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless you before I die.">Genesis 27:4</a>). (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm" title="And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.">2Kings 2:12</a> infra, "My father, my father.") . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. Elijah knows that the time is growing now very short. He will soon have left the earth. A yearning comes over him, before he goes, to leave his faithful follower, his trusty, persevering adherent, some parting gift, some token of his appreciation, some sign of his love. What does his "minister" desire? Let him ask what he will, and his master will, if it be possible, grant it. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. Elisha's request has been variously explained. The older commentators regarded him as having asked for twice as much spiritual and prophetical power as Elijah had possessed; and this interpretation is certainly favored by the reply of Elijah, as recorded in the next verse. But it is objected (1) that Elisha's modesty would prevent him from asking so much; and (2) that double the spirit and power of Elijah certainly did not rest upon him. This latter fact is quite undeniable. As Keil says, "It is only a quite external and superficial view of the career of Elisha that can see in it a proof that double the spirit of Elijah rested upon him" ('Commentary on Kings,' ad loc.). To one who looks beneath the surface, and regards something besides length of life and number of miracles, Elisha is a very faint and feeble replica of Elijah. Ewald's judgment is here correct: "Elisha is great only so far as he continues and carries out with more force than any other man of his time the work which Elijah had begun with new and wonderful power... he did not possess any such intensity of inward power as his master" ('History of Israel,' vol. 4. p. 82, Eng. trans.). Accordingly, Ewald, rejecting the old explanation, suggests one of his own - that Elisha asked for "two thirds of Elijah's spirit" (ibid., p. 81); but this would be a very strange and unusual request, even if the Hebrew could be made to mean it. Who ever asks for two-thirds of a thing? The third explanation, to which most modern commentators incline (Keil, Thenius, Patrick, Clarke, Pool, Bottcher), is that Elisha merely requested that he might receive twice as much of Elijah's spirit as should be received by any other of the "sons of the prophets." He made a reference to <a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a>, and asked for the "double portion" (literally, "double mouthful") which was the right of an eldest son. The only objection to this view is Elijah's answer (see the next verse). <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>After וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be they had crossed over, כְעָבְרָ֗ם (ḵə·‘ā·ḇə·rām) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on Elijah וְאֵ֨לִיָּ֜הוּ (wə·’ê·lî·yā·hū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_452.htm">Strong's 452: </a> Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites said אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Elisha, אֱלִישָׁע֙ (’ĕ·lî·šā‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet “Tell me, שְׁאַל֙ (šə·’al) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> To inquire, to request, to demand what מָ֣ה (māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what can I do אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (’e·‘ĕ·śeh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make for you לָּ֔ךְ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> before בְּטֶ֖רֶם (bə·ṭe·rem) Preposition-b | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Non-occurrence, not yet, before I am taken away אֶלָּקַ֣ח (’el·lā·qaḥ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take from you?” מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ (mê·‘im·māḵ) Preposition-m | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with “Please, נָ֛א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' let וִֽיהִי־ (wî·hî-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be me inherit אֵלָֽי׃ (’ê·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to a double שְׁנַ֥יִם (šə·na·yim) Number - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) portion פִּֽי־ (pî-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of your spirit,” בְּרוּחֲךָ֖ (bə·rū·ḥă·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit Elisha אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet replied. 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 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:9 It happened when they had gone over (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:10" /></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>