Prophet Elisha

The Life of Prophet Elisha: Why God Sent Him

1.Who Was Prophet Elisha?

Elisha was a devoted prophet, worker of miracles, and the official spiritual successor to the prophet Elijah.
Born around 890 BC in Abel-meholah (modern-day Jordan Valley), he was working as a wealthy farmer when Elijah anointed him as his student and assistant. Elisha served Elijah faithfully until his master was taken to heaven, inheriting a "double portion" of Elijah's prophetic spirit around 852 BC. For over five decades, Elisha advised multiple kings of Israel, healed the sick, and guided the people through wars and famines. He is famous for performing numerous astonishing miracles through God's power, including parting the Jordan River, multiplying a poor widow's jars of oil, purifying a poisoned water spring, and curing the Syrian general Naaman of leprosy. Elisha lived to 90 years old and died of a natural illness around 800 BC in Samaria.

2. Who Is Prophet Elisha in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

Elisha in Judaism
Regarded as the faithful disciple and successor of Elijah, who continued his prophetic legacy and performed many miracles in Israel.

Elisha in Christianity
Revered as the devoted disciple of Elijah, noted for his healing miracles and prophetic service to the kings of Judah and Israel.

Elisha in Islam
Recognized as a prophet under the Arabic name Al-Yasa, and is venerated as a righteous servant of God who continued the work of spreading divine guidance.

3. Family Tree of Prophet Elisha and His Relations to Abrahamic Prophets

4. What Was the World Like for Prophet Elisha?

The Environment
The countryside, rivers, and fortified cities of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and neighboring Syria.
The Society
A fractured nation trapped in chronic political instability, ongoing military conflicts with the Arameans, and lingering systemic idolatry.
The Social Climate
Characterized by widespread economic hardship, severe famines, social disparity between the rich and the poor, and the emergence of independent, faithful communities known as the "sons of the prophets" trying to survive state corruption.

5. Why Did God Send Prophet Elisha?

1. To succeed Prophet Elijah and continue the prophetic line
God chose Elisha to inherit Elijah's ministry, granting him a double portion of the prophetic spirit to guide the nation after Elijah was taken to heaven.
[2KINGS 2:9]
[QURAN 6:86]
2. To heal and restore communities through miracles
Elisha was sent to demonstrate God's life-giving power by performing numerous miracles, including purifying a contaminated water source in Jericho and rendering poisoned food safe.
[2KINGS 2:21]
[QURAN 38:48]
3. To provide provisions for faithful believers in distress
God used Elisha to multiply a poor widow's small jar of oil, enabling her to pay off her debts and rescue her children from forced labor.
[2KINGS 4:6]
[QURAN 6:86]
4. To raise the dead and validate resurrection power
Elisha was granted the divine authority to restore the breathless son of a hospitable Shunammite woman back to life.
[2KINGS 4:35]
5. To extend healing and monotheistic testimony to foreign nations
Elisha was sent to cure Naaman, a Syrian military commander, of leprosy, which prompted the foreign general to confess that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.
[2KINGS 5:15]
6. To orchestrate political transitions and judge corrupt regimes
Elisha fulfilled God's decrees by sending a young prophet to secretively anoint Jehu as king, triggering the dynamic collapse of Ahab's wicked dynasty.
[2KINGS 9:6]

6. What Was Prophet Elisha's Core Message to His People?

Channel divine power into active community restoration, demonstrating God's supreme authority through tangible acts of healing, multiplication, and social compassion.

7. Chronological Timeline of Prophet Elisha's Life and Ministry

ELISHA - Year of Birth: 895 BC (Succeeded Elijah as prophet to Israel) | 895 BC   ELISHA 1 of 2 895 BC
ELISHA - Year of Death: 800 BC (Served through the reigns of multiple Israelite Kings) | 800 BC   ELISHA 2 of 2 800 BC

8. Did Prophet Elisha Have a Wife?

  • 0 wife
  • No record of marriage

9. Was Prophet Elisha Involved in Any Battles or Wars?

  • The Siege of Samaria (approx. 850 BC) - Elisha vs Aram-Damascus - Unknown deaths

10. What Miracles Did Prophet Elisha Perform?

  • Striking the Jordan River with Elijah's fallen cloak to part the waters a second time
  • Purifying a toxic, barren spring of water in Jericho by throwing a bowl of salt into it
  • Calling out a curse that caused two female bears to emerge from the woods and maul forty-two mockers
  • Filling a desert valley with water without any wind or rain to save a combined army from thirst
  • Multiplying a poor widow's single jar of oil until it filled every spare vessel she could borrow
  • Prophesying that a wealthy, barren Shunammite woman would bear a son the following year
  • Restoring the Shunammite woman’s young son to life after he died of a sudden head ailment
  • Purifying a large pot of wild, poisonous gourd stew by throwing a handful of flour into it
  • Multiplying twenty small barley loaves to completely feed one hundred men with leftovers remaining
  • Curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his advanced leprosy by commanding him to wash in the Jordan River
  • Transferring Naaman's leprosy onto his own greedy servant, Gehazi, and his descendants permanently
  • Causing a heavy, sunken iron axe-head to float to the surface of the water so it could be retrieved
  • Supernaturally hearing the secret war room conversations of the King of Syria and revealing them to Israel
  • Blinding an entire Syrian army that had surrounded his home city of Dothan
  • Restoring the sight of the blinded Syrian army after leading them directly into the capital city of Samaria
  • Causing a deceased man to instantly spring back to life when his corpse accidentally touched Elisha’s bones

11. What Were the Key Achievements of Prophet Elisha?

  • The designated successor and prophetic understudy of Elijah. His purpose was to continue the work of reforming Israel, offering God's counsel to kings, and performing numerous miracles that displayed God's compassion, provision, and power.

12. What Modern Countries Did Prophet Elisha Travel Through?

Born In:
  • Abel-meholah, Jordan River Valley, West Bank, Palestine
Lived In:
  • Samaria, West Bank, Palestine
  • Mount Carmel, Israel
Travelled To:
  • Jordan River region, West Bank, Palestine
  • Jericho, West Bank, Palestine
  • Bethel, West Bank, Palestine
  • Shunem, Jezreel Valley, Israel
  • Dothan, West Bank, Palestine
  • Damascus, Syria
  • Giligal, West Bank, Palestine
Died In:
  • Samaria, West Bank, Palestine

13. Fascinating Historical Facts About Prophet Elisha

  • Gehazi struck with leprosy (2 Kings)
  • Iron caused to float (2 Kings 6:1-7)
  • Jordan divided
  • Loaves multiplied (2 Kings 4:42-44)
  • Mocking children torn by bears (2 Kings 2:23-25)
  • Naaman healed (2 Kings 5:1-27)
  • Pottage rendered harmless (2 Kings 4:38-41)
  • Raised a child to life
  • Resurrection of a man (2 Kings 13:21)
  • Traps Blinded Arameans (2 kings 6:6-23)
  • Water healed (2 Kings 2:19-22)
  • Widow's oil multiplied (2 King 4:1-7)
* FACTS can be interpreted as metaphorical, allegorical, or symbolic, rather than literal accounts. Historical narratives, particularly those of a religious nature can be understood to convey deeper spiritual or moral truths through symbolism and figurative language. Equally, you can choose to understand religious facts and details literally.

14. Where Was Prophet Elisha Sent on a Modern Map?

15. Historical Evidence for Prophet Elisha

  • Tomb of Elisha,  Viranehir, Anlurfa Province, Turkey.<br><br>The Tomb of Prophet Elisha (Hz. Elyasa Turbesi) is located in the historic village of Eyyupnebi within the Viransehir district of Sanliurfa, Turkey, serving as a prominent spiritual hub for faith tourism. The modern, square-planned mausoleum is constructed from local cut stone and features wide approach steps, a central arched window, and a smooth white dome. According to Islamic tradition, the site honors the prophet Elyasa (Elisha), the successor to Elijah, and sits within a sacred complex that also houses the tombs of Prophet Job and his wife, Rahime Hatun.
    1.   Prophet Elisha:   Tomb of Elisha, Viranehir, Anlurfa Province, Turkey.

    The Tomb of Prophet Elisha (Hz. Elyasa [...]
      ELISHA   ON MAP

16. Is Prophet Elisha Mentioned in Current News Today?

   Nigel Gaisie in the Elisha-Moses spirit   |   Modern Ghana - 05 Jan 2026
   Biblical Figures: Elisha, Miracle Worker   |   National Shrine - 01 Feb 2021

17. Which Revealed Scriptural Texts Mention Prophet Elisha?

Elisha in the Torah

Torah is the first 5 books* of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Elisha in the Psalms

Psalms is the third section of the Hebrew Bible. Many of the Psalms are linked to David.

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Elisha in the Bible (Old Testament)

The Old Testament consists of 39 books* including the Jewish Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

TOTAL: 52 VERSES
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
[1 KINGS 19:16]
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
[1 KINGS 19:17]
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
[1 KINGS 19:19]
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
[2 KINGS 2:1]
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
[2 KINGS 2:2]
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.
[2 KINGS 2:3]
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.
[2 KINGS 2:4]
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.
[2 KINGS 2:5]
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
[2 KINGS 2:9]
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.
[2 KINGS 2:12]
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
[2 KINGS 2:14]
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
[2 KINGS 2:15]
And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
[2 KINGS 2:19]
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
[2 KINGS 2:22]
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
[2 KINGS 3:11]
And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
[2 KINGS 3:13]
And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
[2 KINGS 3:14]
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
[2 KINGS 4:1]
And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
[2 KINGS 4:2]
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
[2 KINGS 4:8]
And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
[2 KINGS 4:17]
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
[2 KINGS 4:32]
And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
[2 KINGS 4:38]
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
[2 KINGS 5:8]
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
[2 KINGS 5:9]
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
[2 KINGS 5:10]
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
[2 KINGS 5:20]
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
[2 KINGS 5:25]
And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
[2 KINGS 6:1]
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
[2 KINGS 6:12]
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.
[2 KINGS 6:17]
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
[2 KINGS 6:18]
And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
[2 KINGS 6:19]
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
[2 KINGS 6:20]
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
[2 KINGS 6:21]
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
[2 KINGS 6:31]
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
[2 KINGS 6:32]
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
[2 KINGS 7:1]
Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
[2 KINGS 8:1]
And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
[2 KINGS 8:4]
And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
[2 KINGS 8:5]
And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
[2 KINGS 8:7]
And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
[2 KINGS 8:10]
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
[2 KINGS 8:13]
So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
[2 KINGS 8:14]
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:
[2 KINGS 9:1]
Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
[2 KINGS 13:14]
And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.
[2 KINGS 13:15]
And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.
[2 KINGS 13:16]
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
[2 KINGS 13:17]
And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
[2 KINGS 13:20]
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
[2 KINGS 13:21]

Elisha in the Bible (New Testament)

The New Testament (Christianity) consists of 66 books*. 39 books from the Old Testament, and 27 additional books including Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Elisha in the Quran

The Quran was revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabrial. It is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a direct revelation from God.

TOTAL: 2 VERSES
And Isma'il (Ishmael) and Al-Yas'a (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lout (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times).
[QURAN 6:86]
And remember Isma'il (Ishmael), Al-Yasa'a (Elisha), and Dhul-Kifl (Isaiah), all are among the best.
[QURAN 38:48]

Elisha in Hadith

Hadith are the "prophetic traditions" of Muhammad; his teachings, actions, deeds and sayings. Hadith were compiled from oral reports in circulation in society around the time of their compilation.

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Elisha in Ibn Kathir

Ibn Kathir (1300-1373) was an influential Muslim scholar/historian who wrote the reknowned 'Qisas Al-Anbiya' (Stories of the Prophets) book. An authorative and respected thesis on the many prophets of God

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ibn Kathir is NOT Revealed Scripture. It appears here as it contains relevant information

TOTAL: 1 VERSES

18. Frequently Asked Questions About Prophet Elisha


20. YouTube Videos to Learn More About Prophet Elisha

Video: Elisha - A Prophet who performed great miracles 16:49
Video: Elisha - How God defended His Prophet with Bears | Red Lamb Stories 8:43
Video: Elisha - Miracles, Power and The Invisible Army | PixArk Studios 55:41
Video: Elisha - The Movie (2026) | Unraveling Scriptures 1:02:07
Video: Elisha - The Prophet who fooled an Army 13:40
Video: Elisha - The Prophet who shocked us with his miracles 34:38
Video: In 2 Kings 2:24, God allows Elisha to summon bears to hurt the children - Bart Ehrman 0:54
Video: Prophet Elijah & Elisha 4:39
Video: Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Ezekiel, Zechariah and John 1/2 - Mufti Menk 1:08:17

Latest videos  •  6,061 videos  •  0 viewed/24 hour

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