2 Kings Chapter 2 · Verse 1

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֗י H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּהַֽעֲל֤וֹת would take up H5927
בְּהַֽעֲל֤וֹת would take up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 2 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
יְהוָה֙ And it came to pass when the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ And it came to pass when the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֵֽלִיָּ֛הוּ Elijah H452
אֵֽלִיָּ֛הוּ Elijah
Strong's: H452
Word #: 5 of 12
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
בַּֽסְעָרָ֖ה by a whirlwind H5591
בַּֽסְעָרָ֖ה by a whirlwind
Strong's: H5591
Word #: 6 of 12
a hurricane
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם into heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם into heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 7 of 12
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֵֽלִיָּ֛הוּ Elijah H452
אֵֽלִיָּ֛הוּ Elijah
Strong's: H452
Word #: 9 of 12
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁ֖ע with Elisha H477
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁ֖ע with Elisha
Strong's: H477
Word #: 10 of 12
elisha, the famous prophet
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃ from Gilgal H1537
הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃ from Gilgal
Strong's: H1537
Word #: 12 of 12
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 2: Prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 2 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Beginning) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection