2 Reis 2

2 Reis 2

Meyer - Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee. Thrice Elijah spoke thus to his friend and disciple, to test him. Perseverance, tenacity of purpose, a refusal to be content with anything short of the best, are indispensable conditions for the attainment of the highest possibilities of experience and service. And perpetually in our life’s discipline these words come back on us, Tarry here! Not that God desires us to tarry, but because He desires each onward step to be the choice and act of our own will. Tarry here in Consecration.— “You have given so much; is it not time that you refrained from further sacrifices? Ungird your loins, sit down and rest, forbear from this strenuous following after. Spare thyself; this shall not come to thee.” Tarry here in the Life of Prayer.— “It is waste time to spend so much time at the footstool of God. You have done more than most, desist from further intercession and supplication.” Tarry here in the attainment of the likeness of Christ.— “It will cost you so much, if all that is not Christlike is to pass away from your life.” Such voice’s are perpetually speaking to us all. And if we heed them, we are at once shut out of that crossing the Jordan, that rapturous intercourse with heaven, that reception of the double portion of the Spirit, which await those who have successfully stood the test. The law of the Christian life is always Advance; always leaving that which is behind; always reckoning that you have not attained; always following on to know the Lord, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the blessed Savior, and saying to the Spirit of God, as Elisha to Elijah, I will not leave thee. Chris Tiegreen - 2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6 The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional: 365 ... - Page 4 Elisha was a spiritual pest. At least three times on the day of Elijah’s departure, the younger prophet rebuffed requests to let the older prophet depart in solitude. Elijah was about to be “taken” by the Lord—though no one seemed sure exactly what that would look like—and he told his protégé to stay behind. But Elisha insisted on following his master through Bethel, through Jericho, and through the Jordan River. He would not be absent while God was doing something amazing. God honors that kind of persistence, as pesky as it seems at the time. In fact, He strongly urges it. “Give the LORD no rest,” He urged the praying watchmen of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:7). “Keep on asking. . . . Keep on seeking. . . . Keep on knocking,” Jesus commanded His disciples (Matthew 7:7). Jesus told parables of a noisy neighbor asking for bread at midnight (Luke 11:5-8) and a widow relentlessly pestering a judge for justice (Luke 18:1-8), describing them as pictures of prayer. He responded to a blind man who wouldn’t quit yelling at him (Luke 18:35-43) and to a woman who kept asking for a favor, even after He had spoken discouraging words to her (Matthew 15:22-28). Both were rewarded with miracles. Apparently, God welcomes pests. If you aren’t content with a casual relationship with God and pester Him for something more, you are honored in His Kingdom. Never arrive at a place of saying, “Okay, that’s enough. That’s all of Him I need.” Pursue higher levels, deeper depths, more of the Presence. You are promised that those who seek will find. And those who seek persistently will find more. Lord, Elisha’s words to Elijah are my words to You. I will never leave You. I will always want more and will always keep asking. 2 Kings 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.” KJV 2 Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. BGT 2 Kings 2:3 καὶ ἦλθον οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἱ ἐν Βαιθηλ πρὸς Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν εἰ ἔγνως ὅτι κύριος σήμερον λαμβάνει τὸν κύριόν σου ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου καὶ εἶπεν κἀγὼ ἔγνωκα σιωπᾶτε LXE 2 Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Baethel came to Elisaie, and said to him, Dost thou know, that the Lord this day is going to take thy lord away from thy head? And he said, Yea, I know it; be silent. NET 2 Kings 2:3 Some members of the prophetic guild in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, "Do you know that today the LORD is going to take your master from you?" He answered, "Yes, I know. Be quiet." CSB 2 Kings 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, "Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?" He said, "Yes, I know. Be quiet." ESV 2 Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." NIV 2 Kings 2:3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it." NLT 2 Kings 2:3 The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, "Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?" "Of course I know," Elisha answered. "But be quiet about it." And the sons: 2Ki 2:5,7,15 4:1,38 9:1 1Sa 10:10-12 19:20 1Ki 18:4 20:35 Isa 8:18 master: De 33:3 Ac 22:3 Related Passage: 1 Kings 19:18+ (SOME OF THESE WERE SURELY THE "SONS OF THE PROPHETS") Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (Quoted Ro 11:4+) BETHEL PROPHETS PROPHESY ELIJAH'S DEPARTURE Then the sons of the prophets (בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים - benei ha-nevi’im) who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him - The fact that the sons of the prophets came out shows that this knowledge was not private or accidental but that they had been given insight that a decisive act of God was about to occur. Their coming “out” to Elisha indicates that the event was already circulating within prophetic circles. Apparently, knowing his departure was imminent Elijah planned to visit a group of prophets in three different locations, surely to encourage them to keep on keeping on, for darker days were coming for Israel. “Do you know that the LORD will take away (laqach) your master from over you today?” - These prophets prophesy the day of Elijah's departure but do not specify the manner by which Yahweh would take him away (by death, by whirlwind). The same verb take away used of Elijah's departure (laqach - 2Ki 2:3, 5, 9, 10) was used to describe Enoch's translation, Moses recording "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took (laqach) him. " (Ge 5:24+) What a way to go!!! SONS OF THE PROPHETS - 11X/10V - 1 Ki. 20:35; 2 Ki. 2:3; 2 Ki. 2:5; 2 Ki. 2:7; 2 Ki. 2:15; 2 Ki. 4:1; 2 Ki. 4:38; 2 Ki. 5:22; 2 Ki. 6:1; 2 Ki. 9:1; Acts 3:25. Note that 10 of the 11 occurrences of this phrase refer to prophetic groups associated with Elisha. Sons of the prophets were more accurately understood as students, disciples, or members of prophetic guilds or schools. They were not biological sons of prophets (necessarily), but rather a community of prophetic apprentices or trainees, dedicated to following and learning the ways of the prophetic tradition and likely living in communal settings at places like Bethel, Jericho, and Gilgal. Think of them as kind of like seminary students or a prophetic order, much like a monastic or academic group. However they were not monastic in terms of celibacy for they were often married (2Ki 4:1+). The "sons of the prophets" remind us that God always preserves a faithful remnant, even in dark times. They were men devoted to learning, living, and proclaiming God's truth in a culture that often rejected it. (See School of prophets below) Note that Bethel is the site of Jeroboam's abominable golden calf worship and yet we see that God has his men (the sons of the prophets) in this dark place as lights in a crooked and perverse generation. And he said, “Yes, I know; be still (be quiet, silent).” - The prophets at Bethel did not surprise Elisha who had received the same message about Elijah's imminent departure (and certainly is one reason he was not about to depart Elijah's side!) He is saying in essence "Don't remind me. Don't add to my sorrow in speaking of it." Elisha did not want to talk about the departure. 🙏 THOUGHT - Note Elisha’s dogged determination in spite of Elijah’s repeated dismissals, peer discouragement, and long travel, he persists in demonstrating his committmen to his prophetic calling as Elijah’s successor. He reminds me of Paul in Acts 20:24+ "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that (PURPOSE CLAUSE - IN THIS CASE HIS "LIFE PURPOSE!" I may finish (teleioo - accomplish, bring to completion) my (not someone else's lane) course (the "lane" God gave him to "run in") and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (May God's Spirit enable us all to be imitators of Elisha and Paul -1Co 11:1+) August Konkel: Elijah and Elisha had a particular calling and mission during a critical period of Israel’s history, when power of the Baal cult was extended through the alliances of Israel and Judah and the intermarriage of the royal families. The supporters of these two prophets in their struggle against the Baal cult were designated as “sons of the prophets.” Prophecy manifested itself in a variety of forms in ancient Israel; its function was always to call for faithfulness to the covenant. Inspired prophecy was the means God used to confront false teaching at the highest levels of power. Followers of Elijah who had not bowed before Baal were both recipients of a revelation that the mantel would be transferred to another prophet and witnesses to the anointing of Elisha as the prophet who would bring an end to the power of the house of Omri. (See 1 and 2 Kings - Page 385) QUESTION - What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - The Old Testament mentions a school of prophets in 1 Samuel 19:18–24 and in 2 Kings 2 and 2 Ki 4:38–44 (some translations say “company of prophets” or “sons of the prophets”). Also, the prophet Amos possibly mentions a prophetic school in stating his credentials (or lack thereof) to Amaziah the priest: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet” (Amos 7:14). First Samuel 19 relates an account in which King Saul sends messengers to arrest David. When these men encountered a company of prophets under Samuel’s leadership, the king’s men also prophesied. This happened three times. Saul himself then went, and he, too, prophesied, leading people to ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 19:24), which became a saying in those days. The “group of prophets” in 1 Samuel 19 was clearly comprised of students of the prophet Samuel. These students were likely Levites who served in roles related to the tabernacle and ceremonial worship. The content of their “prophesies” is not specified. Their messages could have been general teachings from God’s laws in the Books of Moses, or they could have included additional revelation. In 2 Kings 2 Elijah is traveling with Elisha, and a group of prophets from Bethel tells Elisha that Elijah would be taken from him that day (2Ki 2:3). Another group of prophets at Jericho repeats the prophecy (2Ki 2:5), and a third group of prophets near the Jordan River also delivers the same message (2Ki 2:7). This third group of 50 men may have been a subset of the group of prophets at Jericho. After Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha reluctantly sends 50 of these prophets to search for Elijah for three days (2Ki 2:15–18). In 2 Kings 4:38–41 Elisha is in Gilgal during a time of famine. Elisha miraculously changes an inedible stew into a comestible dish for the group of prophets there. Chapter 4 ends with Elisha’s turning 20 loaves of bread into more than enough food for 100 people. Nothing else is mentioned about this school of prophets, though it is clear they lived together in some kind of community and were known as sons of the prophets who worshiped the Lord. These groups of men were likely leaders among those 7,000 Israelites who had not bowed down to Baal, as God had told Elijah (1 Kings 19:18). There were at least three schools or communities of these prophets and possibly more, consisting of men who were devoted to God and served Him. They followed the teachings of Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha during the time of the prophets and were known as their “students.” 2 Kings 2:4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. KJV 2 Kings 2:4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. BGT 2 Kings 2:4 καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου πρὸς Ελισαιε κάθου δὴ ἐνταῦθα ὅτι κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με εἰς Ιεριχω καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου εἰ ἐγκαταλείψω σε καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Ιεριχω LXE 2 Kings 2:4 And Eliu said to Elisaie, Stay here, I pray thee; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord lives and thy soul lives, I will not leave thee. And they came to Jericho. NET 2 Kings 2:4 Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he replied, "As certainly as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho. CSB 2 Kings 2:4 Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; the LORD is sending me to Jericho." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho. ESV 2 Kings 2:4 Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. NIV 2 Kings 2:4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho. NLT 2 Kings 2:4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to Jericho." But Elisha replied again, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you." So they went on together to Jericho. Jericho: Jos 6:26 1Ki 16:34 Lu 19:1 As the Lord: 2Ki 2:2 4:30 Ac 2:42 11:23 Probably not accurate for Elisha may have been bald. THE LOYALTY OF ELISHA Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho - Yahweh's specific purpose for sending Elijah to Jericho is not stated, but as with Bethel there were other prophets in Jericho thus this very likely was to encourage them. But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” - For a second time Elisha vows (As the LORD lives) he would not leave Elijah. Three times Elijah will command Elisha to stay and three times Elisha will say in essence "No way will I stay." (2Ki 2:2, 4, 6). What was the purpose? We cannot be dogmatic, but one purpose may have been to test the loyalty of Elisha because he clearly knew Elijah's departure was imminent. One writer says "Perhaps it was because he knew his time was short and he didn't want to worry his friend." (Getz) So they came to Jericho (See map above - all these cities, Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho are generally in the central area of the Northern Kingdom) - The journey is about 18 miles and would have taken a full day. Surely they were speaking of Yahweh and ministry for His Name and glory as Elijah was in essence "discipling" Elisha. The journey from Bethel to Jericho would have taken Elijah and Elisha through hill country and then down into the Jordan Valley, since Jericho is located in the lowest area on earth near the Jordan River. It’s a descent in elevation of several thousand feet from Bethel’s highlands (~3,000 ft above sea level) to Jericho (~800 ft below sea level). Given the downward slope walking would have been easier. 2 Kings 2:5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.” KJV 2 Kings 2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. BGT 2 Kings 2:5 καὶ ἤγγισαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἱ ἐν Ιεριχω πρὸς Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτόν εἰ ἔγνως ὅτι σήμερον λαμβάνει κύριος τὸν κύριόν σου ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου καὶ εἶπεν καί γε ἐγὼ ἔγνων σιωπᾶτε LXE 2 Kings 2:5 And the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho drew near to Elisaie, and said to him, Dost thou know that the Lord is about to take away thy master to-day from thy head? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold your peace. NET 2 Kings 2:5 Some members of the prophetic guild in Jericho approached Elisha and said, "Do you know that today the LORD is going to take your master from you?" He answered, "Yes, I know. Be quiet." CSB 2 Kings 2:5 Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, "Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?" He said, "Yes, I know. Be quiet." ESV 2 Kings 2:5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." NIV 2 Kings 2:5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it." NLT 2 Kings 2:5 Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, "Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?" "Of course I know," Elisha answered. "But be quiet about it." sons of the prophets, ver. 2Ki 2:3 Jos 1:1,2 Lu 24:51 Joh 17:5-7 Ac 1:2,11 26:25 I know it: Ge 48:19 Ec 3:7 Isa 41:1 Hab 2:20 JERICHO PROPHETS PREDICT ELIJAH'S IMMINENT DEPARTURE The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” - These prophets give an identical prophesy as did the prophets in Bethel. This is a second witness (so to speak) which would authenticate this prophecy. But for a second time Elisha states he knows the prophecy which would in effect validate him as a legitimate prophet. And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.”(be quiet) - Elisha's patience may have been wearing thin by this time. Warren Wiersbe on sons of the prophets - At Bethel, Jericho, and Gilgal, the two men visited the “sons of the prophets” (2Ki 2:5, 7, 15; 4:1, 38–40; 6:1, 7; 9:1; see 1 Kings 20:35), companies of dedicated men who were called of God to study the Scriptures and teach the people. Samuel led one of these “schools” at Ramah (1 Sam. 7:17; 28:3; see 1Sa 10:5, 10; 19:20–23). These groups would be similar to the mentoring (ED: DISCIPLE MAKING) groups in our churches, or even like our Bible schools and colleges. The work of the Lord is always one generation short of extinction and we must be faithful to obey 2 Timothy 2:2+—“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (NKJV). These young prophets knew that their master was about to leave them, so these final meetings must have been very emotional. We have “farewell messages” in Scripture from Moses (the Book of Deuteronomy), Joshua (Josh. 23–24), David (1 Chron. 28–29), Jesus (John 13–16), and Paul (Acts 20:17–38 and 2 Tim.), but the Lord didn’t record for us what Elijah said to his beloved students. Certainly he told them to obey Elisha just as they had obeyed him, to remain true to the Word of God and to do everything God told them to do as they battled against idolatry in the land. It was their responsibility to call the people back to obeying God’s covenant (Deut. 27–30) so that He might be pleased to bless and heal their land....God has different ways of training His servants, but He still expects the older generation to pass along to the younger generation the treasures of truth that were given to them by those who went before, “the faith … once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV). (Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament) 2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Israel and Judah in 2 Kings (Source: ESV maps) THIRD REQUEST BY ELIJAH FOR ELISHA TO STAY Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” - This Elijah's third request for Elisha to stay put. And he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” - For the third time Elisha vows he is not leaving Elijah. He knows the time with his mentor is short and surely wants to not miss a second with him before he is taken away. So the two of them went on - Elijah capitulates again. God was orchestrating the final events of Elijah’s life in such a way as to designate and accredit Elisha as his replacement. Bob Deffinbaugh has an excellent comment on the purpose of the visits to these specific cities writing that "this journey is divinely directed. God instructed Elijah to go to Bethel (2Ki 2:2), then Jericho (2Ki 2:4), and finally the Jordan (2Ki 2:6). I believe God wanted Elijah to visit the prophets one last time. I believe this is where the “school of the prophets” was located, and that God directed Elijah and Elisha there so that these prophets would prophecy concerning Elijah’s departure. As a result, virtually every prophet in Israel knew this was Elijah’s day to “depart,” to be “taken from Elisha.” It would appear that God wanted Elijah to make this last circuit with Elisha, so that by the time the day was over all the prophets would realize that Elijah was gone and that Elisha was his replacement. God was orchestrating the final events of Elijah’s life in such a way as to designate and accredit Elisha as his replacement. (2 Kings 1:1-2:18 Life and Times of Elijah the Prophet-Chariots of Fire) 2 Kings 2:7 Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. fifty men: 2Ki 2:17 1Ki 18:4,13 ELIJAH AND ELISHA BY THE JORDAN Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan - The text does not say these 50 prophets knew the prophecy of Elijah's imminent departure, but (1) the statement they went supports that they are from the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho (2Ki 2:5) and (2) their standing opposite them supports that they knew and were anticipating something occurring. Just as the Israelites stood “at a distance” from Mount Sinai (Ex 20:18–21), the prophets may have kept their distance out of reverence for what was about to happen. And of course they stood at a distance for only Elisha was invited into that intimate, sacred moment. 2 Kings 2:8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. KJV 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. BGT 2 Kings 2:8 καὶ ἔλαβεν Ηλιου τὴν μηλωτὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἵλησεν καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ διῃρέθη τὸ ὕδωρ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα καὶ διέβησαν ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἐρήμῳ LXE 2 Kings 2:8 And Eliu took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the water: and the water was divided on this side and on that side, and they both went over on dry ground. NET 2 Kings 2:8 Elijah took his cloak, folded it up, and hit the water with it. The water divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. CSB 2 Kings 2:8 Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ESV 2 Kings 2:8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. NIV 2 Kings 2:8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. NLT 2 Kings 2:8 Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! his mantle: 1Ki 19:13,19 were: 2Ki 2:14 Ex 14:21-22 Jos 3:14-17 Ps 114:5-7 Isa 11:15 Heb 11:29 Rev 16:12 Related Passages: Exodus 14:21-22+ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. 22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Joshua 3:14-17+ So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. ELIJAH'S MANTLE MIRACLE Elijah took his mantle (addereth; Lxx - melote - sheepskin) and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground - This miracle was not a magic trick but was carried out to show Elisha the power which the LORD might bestow on him. This gesture mimics Moses' stretching out his hand over the Red Sea (Ex 14:21-22+)