Credible Theories
ProfileSources (2)Mentioned in (4)
Elfl. 9th c. BCE
Person · Legendary

Elisha

Prophet of Israel, Elijah's successor

Active
9th century BCE
Father
Shaphat of Abel-meholah
Teacher
Elijah
Known for
Miracles; the hills full of fiery chariots at Dothan
Main texts
1 Kings 19 – 2 Kings 13

Elijah's successor, who at Dothan prays for his servant's eyes to be opened and the hills are seen full of horses and chariots of fire.

What is Elisha known for?

Elisha son of Shaphat is called by Elijah while ploughing (1 Kings 19) and witnesses his master's departure in a whirlwind, taking up his cloak. The books of Kings then credit Elisha with many miracles: purifying water, multiplying oil, raising a child, healing the Syrian general Naaman, and making an iron axe-head float.

The scene quoted on this site is in 2 Kings 6. The king of Aram sends horses, chariots and an army by night to seize Elisha at the town of Dothan. His servant panics at the sight. Elisha prays that the young man's eyes be opened, and he sees that the mountain is full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. The attackers are then struck with blindness.

Like the Elijah stories, the Elisha cycle is set in the real 9th-century kingdom of Israel but is generally read by historians as prophetic legend. He should not be confused with the 2nd-century rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah.

Why it is on Credible Theories

The site quotes the vision of fiery horses and chariots surrounding Elisha at Dothan.

Mentioned on these pages

Sources

  1. 2 Kings 6:8–23 (KJV), Bible GatewayPrimary text
  2. Wikipedia, 'Elisha'Reference

Pictures on profile pages are drawn placeholders, not likenesses. Public-domain portraits and photographs will replace them.

Updated