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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 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/12_2Ki_02_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:11 - Elijah Taken to Heaven" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/2-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/2-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm" title="2 Kings 2:10">◄</a> 2 Kings 2:11 <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm" title="2 Kings 2:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_kings/2.htm">New International Version</a> As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/esv/2_kings/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And as they were walking along and talking, behold, a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and they separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and it separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> As they continued along and talked, behold, a chariot of fire with horses of fire [appeared suddenly and] separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Elijah and Elisha were walking along and talking, when suddenly there appeared between them a flaming chariot pulled by fiery horses. At once, a strong wind took Elijah up into heaven. <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As they continued walking and talking, a fiery chariot with fiery horses separated the two of them, and Elijah went to heaven in a windstorm. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> They kept talking as they walked on; then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> As they continued on, talking as they went, suddenly chariots blazing with fire and pulled by fiery horses appeared, separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a wind storm to heaven! <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. They went between Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah went up to heaven in a windstorm. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened, as they still went on, and talked, that look, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, they are going, going on and speaking, and behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire [appear], and they separate between them both, and Elijah goes up to the heavens in a whirlwind. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, they are going, going on and speaking, and lo, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they separate between them both, and Elijah goeth up in a whirlwind, to the heavens. <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be they went, going speaking, and behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and they will separate between them two; and Elijah will up in a tempest to the heavens.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And as they continued on, they were conversing while walking. And behold, a fiery chariot with fiery horses divided the two. And Elijah ascended by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And it came to pass, as they still went on and talked, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and separated the two; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it was that when they were speaking and walking, also, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and they parted between both of them, and Elyah went up in a whirlwind to Heaven.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both assunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass as they were going, they went on talking; and, behold, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and it separated between them both; and Eliu was taken up in a whirlwind as it were into heaven. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-11.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=401" 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> …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.” 11<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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">As they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lə·ḵîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">were walking along</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·lō·wḵ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wə·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-InfAbs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and talking together,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">suddenly</a> <a href="/hebrew/7393.htm" title="7393: re·ḵeḇ- (N-msc) -- From rakab; a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. The upper millstone.">a chariot</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">of fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: wə·sū·sê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">with horses</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">of fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: way·yap̄·ri·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">appeared and separated</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">the two of them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/452.htm" title="452: ’ê·lî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged teliyahuw; from 'el and Yahh; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites.">and Elijah</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">went up</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">into heaven</a> <a href="/hebrew/5591.htm" title="5591: bas·sə·‘ā·rāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A hurricane. Or ctarah; from ca'ar; a hurricane.">in a whirlwind.</a> 12As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.…<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="/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="/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/9-28.htm">Luke 9:28-31</a> About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. / And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white. / Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. ... <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="/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="/john/14-3.htm">John 14:3</a> And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-52</a> Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20-21</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11-12</a> Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. <a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a> Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. <a href="/psalms/104-3.htm">Psalm 104:3</a> laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm">Ezekiel 1:4</a> I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13</a> In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a> And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.<a href="/psalms/68-17.htm">Psalm 68:17</a> The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.<a href="/psalms/104-3.htm">Psalm 104:3,4</a> Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: … by a whirlwind<a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">2 Kings 2:1</a> And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.into heaven<a href="/mark/16-19.htm">Mark 16:19</a> So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/13-5.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-9.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/judges/14-6.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">Carriages</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Chariot</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-14.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-4.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-53.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-2.htm">Talked</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-6.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Together</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Way</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-7.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/job/16-12.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-9.htm">Carriages</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Chariot</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-13.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-2.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-19.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-7.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-5.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-33.htm">Talked</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-33.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-6.htm">Together</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-35.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-17.htm">Wind</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>As they were walking along and talking together This phrase highlights the close relationship between Elijah and Elisha, his disciple. Walking and talking together signifies mentorship and fellowship, a common practice among prophets and their followers. This setting underscores the importance of discipleship in spiritual growth, as seen in other mentor-mentee relationships in the Bible, such as Moses and Joshua or Paul and Timothy.suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared The sudden appearance of the chariot and horses of fire signifies divine intervention. Fire often represents God's presence and power, as seen in the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a>) and the pillar of fire (<a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>). The chariot of fire symbolizes God's heavenly army, indicating Elijah's significant role as a prophet. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a>, where Elisha's servant sees the hills full of horses and chariots of fire.and separated the two of them The separation of Elijah and Elisha by the chariot of fire signifies the end of Elijah's earthly ministry and the beginning of Elisha's. This moment marks a transition of prophetic authority, similar to the passing of leadership from Moses to Joshua. It emphasizes the continuity of God's work through different individuals.and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind Elijah's ascension into heaven is unique, as he did not experience death. This event prefigures the ascension of Jesus Christ (<a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Acts 1:9-11</a>), who also ascended into heaven. Elijah's ascension is a testament to his righteousness and God's approval of his ministry. It also fulfills the prophecy of <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a>, which speaks of Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord," pointing to John the Baptist's ministry as a type of Elijah (<a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God known for his powerful ministry and miracles, including the confrontation with the prophets of Baal. His ascension to heaven marks a significant transition in prophetic leadership. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> The successor of Elijah, who was chosen by God to continue the prophetic ministry. He witnesses Elijah's ascension, which confirms his calling and the transfer of prophetic authority. 3. <a href="/topical/c/chariot_of_fire_and_horses_of_fire.htm">Chariot of Fire and Horses of Fire</a> Symbolic of God's divine presence and power. They serve as the vehicle for Elijah's ascension, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the event. 4. <a href="/topical/w/whirlwind.htm">Whirlwind</a> Represents God's mighty and sovereign power. In Hebrew, the word "se'arah" conveys a sense of a powerful storm or tempest, often associated with divine intervention. 5. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The destination of Elijah's ascension, signifying his unique departure from earthly life and his entrance into God's presence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_calling_and_succession.htm">Divine Calling and Succession</a> God's work continues through chosen individuals. Elijah's ascension and Elisha's succession remind us of the importance of mentoring and preparing the next generation for ministry. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a> The chariot of fire and whirlwind illustrate God's control over nature and history. Trust in God's power, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_and_reward.htm">Faithfulness and Reward</a> Elijah's faithful service is rewarded with a unique departure. Our faithfulness to God's calling will be recognized and rewarded in His timing. <a href="/topical/w/witnessing_god's_work.htm">Witnessing God's Work</a> Elisha's presence during Elijah's ascension underscores the importance of being attentive to God's work around us. Seek to witness and testify to God's actions in your life. <a href="/topical/h/hope_of_eternal_life.htm">Hope of Eternal Life</a> Elijah's ascension prefigures the believer's hope of eternal life and being in God's presence. Live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the promises of God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 2</a> <a href="/q/2_kings_2_11__explain_'chariot_of_fire'.htm">2 Kings 2:11 – How do we reconcile a “chariot of fire” with natural laws and observable phenomena? </a> <a href="/q/2_kings_6_16-17__literal_or_symbolic.htm">2 Kings 6:16–17: Where is the evidence for invisible chariots of fire, and should we take this as literal or symbolic? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_elijah's_chariot_symbolize.htm">What does Elijah's Chariot of Fire symbolize?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_record_of_elijah's_whirlwind.htm">2 Kings 2:11 – Why is there no historical or archeological record of Elijah being taken up by a whirlwind? </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>(11) And it came to pass . . . talked.--Literally, And it came to pass, they (emphatic) were walking a walking and talking, i.e., were going on farther and farther, talking as they went. Whither they went is not told; probably some height of the mountains of Gilead, Elijah's native country, was the scene of his departure. (Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/34-5.htm" title="So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.">Deuteronomy 34:5</a>; <a href="/numbers/20-28.htm" title="And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.">Numbers 20:28</a>.)That, behold, there appeared . . . fire.--Literally, and, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire. Rekeb is generally collective; so the Targum here. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm" title="And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.">2Kings 6:17</a> : "Horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.")Parted them both asunder.--Or, made parting between them twain, i.e., the appearance of fiery chariots and horses came between Elijah and Elisha, surrounding the former as with a flaming war-host. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm" title="And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.">2Kings 6:17</a>.)Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.--Rather, Elijah went up in the storm heavenward, or, perhaps, into the air. S?'?r?h, properly storm-blast; and so storm, thunderstorm. (Comp. <a href="/ezekiel/1-4.htm" title="And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the middle thereof as the color of amber, out of the middle of the fire.">Ezekiel 1:4</a>, seq., where Jehovah appears in a "whirlwind," which is described as a great fiery cloud; and <a href="/job/38-1.htm" title="Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,">Job 38:1</a>, where He answers Job "out of the whirlwind;" and <a href="/nehemiah/1-3.htm" title="And they said to me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.">Nehemiah 1:3</a> : "The Lord hath His path in whirlwind and in storm (s?'?r?h), and the clouds are the dust of His feet.") The Hebrew mind recognised the presence and working of Jehovah in the terrific phenomena of nature; the thunder-cloud or storm-wind was His chariot, the thunder His voice, the lightning His arrow. (Comp. <a href="/context/psalms/18-6.htm" title="In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.">Psalm 18:6-15</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-3.htm" title="Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks on the wings of the wind:">Psalm 104:3</a>.) We must therefore be cautious of taking the words before us in too literal a sense. The essential meaning of the passage is this, that God suddenly took Elijah to Himself, amid a grand display of His power in and through the forces of nature. The popular conception, which we see embodied in such pictures as William Blake's Translation of Elijah, that the prophet ascended to heaven in a fiery car drawn by horses of fire, is plainly read into, rather than gathered from, the sacred text. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked (comp. <a href="/luke/24-50.htm">Luke 24:50, 51</a>,). The antitype answers to the type in little details as well as in the general outline. That behold, there appeared a chariot of firs, and horses of fire. God's "angels are spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire" (<a href="/psalms/104-4.htm">Psalm 104:4</a>). When the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened, and he saw the angelic host that protected his master, it appeared to him that "the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (<a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a>). Material fire is, of course, not to be thought cf. But the glory and brightness of celestial beings, when made visible to man, has some analogy with fire, or at any rate brings the conception of fire before the mind. The historian doubtless reports the account which Elisha gave of what he saw on this memorable occasion. And parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven; literally, and Elijah went up in a storm into the heavens. There is no mention of a "whirlwind;" and "the heavens" are primarily the visible firmament or sky which overhangs the earth. Elijah, like our Lord, rose bodily from the earth into the upper region of the air, and was there lost to sight. Three only of the seed of Adam - Enoch, Elijah, Jesus - have passed from earth to heaven without dying. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>As they הֵ֣מָּה (hêm·māh) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They were walking along הֹלְכִ֤ים (hō·lə·ḵîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk and talking together, וְדַבֵּ֔ר (wə·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue suddenly וְהִנֵּ֤ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! a chariot רֶֽכֶב־ (re·ḵeḇ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7393.htm">Strong's 7393: </a> A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone of fire אֵשׁ֙ (’êš) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire with horses וְס֣וּסֵי (wə·sū·sê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> A swallow, swift (type of bird) of fire אֵ֔שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire appeared and separated וַיַּפְרִ֖דוּ (way·yap̄·ri·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> To break through, spread, separate the two of them, שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם (šə·nê·hem) Number - mdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) and Elijah אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_452.htm">Strong's 452: </a> Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites went up וַיַּ֙עַל֙ (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively into heaven הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky in a whirlwind. בַּֽסְעָרָ֖ה (bas·sə·‘ā·rāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5591.htm">Strong's 5591: </a> A hurricane <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-11.htm">2 Kings 2:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-11.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:11 It happened as they still went (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:12" /></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>