2 Kings 2:12

2 Kings 2:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

Context of 2 Kings 2:12

10He replied, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so to you; but if not, it will not be so.” 11As they were walking along and talking, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. As Elisha was watching, he was crying out, “Avi! Avi! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” Then he saw him no more. So he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13He then picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him. When he returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan, 14he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen off him, struck the waters and said, “Where is Adonai, the God of Elijah?” As he indeed struck the waters, they parted here then there. Then Elisha crossed over.

2 Kings 2:12 word by word

וֶאֱלִישָׁ֣ע רֹאֶ֗ה וְה֤וּא מְצַעֵק֙ אָבִ֣י׀ אָבִ֗י רֶ֤כֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפָ֣רָשָׁ֔יו וְלֹ֥א רָאָ֖הוּ ע֑וֹד וַֽיַּחֲזֵק֙ בִּבְגָדָ֔יו וַיִּקְרָעֵ֖ם לִשְׁנַ֥יִם קְרָעִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Elishaאֱלִישָׁע'ĕlîyshâ‛ · ElishaH477
• sawרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• and he criedצָעַקtsâ‛aq · to cryH6817
• My fatherאָב'âb · fatherH1
• the chariotרֶ֫כֶבrekeb · chariotH7393
• of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• and the horsemenפָּרָשׁpârâsh · horsemanH6571
• him no more: and he took holdחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
• of his own clothesבֶּ֫גֶדbeged · garmentH899
• and rentקָרַעqâra‛ · to tearH7167
• them in twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• piecesקֶ֫רַעqera‛ · ragsH7168

Cross-references for 2 Kings 2:12

• 2 Kings 2:10He replied, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so to you; but if not, it will not be so.”
• 2 Kings 13:14When Elisha got sick with his illness from which he would die, King Joash of Israel came down to him, wept over him and cried, “Avi, avi, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”
• Job 22:30He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered by the cleanness of your hands.”
• Proverbs 11:11Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
• Ecclesiastes 9:16So I said: “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heeded.
• Isaiah 37:4Perhaps Adonai your God, will hear the words of the Rab-shakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words which Adonai your God has heard. So offer prayer for the remnant that is left.”
• Acts 27:24He said, ‘Do not fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all who are sailing with you.’
• Proverbs 30:4Who has gone up into heaven, and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palm of His hand? Who has wrapped the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what is the name of His son—if you know?”
• Mark 16:19Then the Lord Yeshua, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
• Luke 2:15And when the angels departed from them into the heavens, the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which Adonai has made known to us!”
• Luke 24:51And while blessing them, He departed from them and was taken up into heaven.
• John 3:13No one has gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man.
• Acts 1:9After saying all this—while they were watching—He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
• 2 Corinthians 5:2For in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—
• Ephesians 4:8Therefore it says, “When He went up on high, He led captive a troop of captives and gave gifts to his people.”

Commentaries on 2 Kings 2:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof - The Chaldee translates these words thus: "My master, my master! who, by thy intercession, wast of more use to Israel than horses and chariots." This is probably the sense. In the Book of Ecclesiasticus 48:1, etc., the fiery horses and chariot are considered as an emblem of that burning zeal which Elijah manifested in the whole of his ministry: "Then stood up Elijah the prophet as fire, and his word burned…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof - These difficult words are probably said of Elijah, whom Elisha addresses as “the true defense of Israel, better than either the chariots or horsemen” which he saw. Hence, his rending his clothes in token of his grief.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-12Verses 9-12 That fulness, from whence prophets and apostles had all their supply, still exists as of old, and we are told to ask large supplies from it. Diligent attendance upon Elijah, particularly in his last hours, would be proper means for Elisha to obtain much of his spirit. The comforts of departing saints, and their experiences, help both to gild our comforts and to strengthen our resolutions. Elijah is carried to heaven in a fiery chariot. Many…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Elijah was Elisha’s spiritual father and personal mentor. Compare the tribute given to him at his death in 2 Kings 13:14.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father--that is, spiritual father, as the pupils of the prophets are called their sons. the chariot of Israel, and the horseman thereof--that is, that as earthly kingdoms are dependent for their defense and glory upon warlike preparations, there a single prophet had done more for the preservation and prosperity of Israel than all her chariots and horsemen. took hold of his own clothes and rent them--in token of his…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Kings 2:12

• Ascension
• Elisha
• Mourning
• Prophets
• Rending
• Translation

In the dictionaries

• Elisha
• Israel
• Double
• Elijah
• Father
• Heal
• Lord
• Mock
• Rest
• Schools of the Prophets

Commentaries on 2 Kings 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings