Bible Question (short): Why God killed boys for teasing Elisha |
Question (full): Bible Questions Question 1: 2 Kings 2:23-26 This Story depicts Elisha acting very rashly; it also incurs divine intervention on behalf of Elisha for at surface level a very minor offense. Please if you can explain how a God of love and Peace. A God of Righteousness and Justice would condemn 42 youths Children to death based upon Childish teasing… The following is what I have found upon this subject through study of 17 translations of Scripture. Please review before making an answer The NIV and several other translations listed here are Neutral as to the age of the Lads, Youth, Boys Taunting Elisha Other Neutral versions include: 1. New Living Translation depicts Boys no age 2. Contemporary English Version Boys No age 3. New King James Youths No age 4. New Century Version No age Neutral NIV Text: 2 Kings 2:23-26 23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria. Thoughts What is the Age of a Youth? If two bears Mauled 42 of the Youths How many were there to begin with? What were 50 possible "youths" doing taunting a Prophet ------------------------------------- Further Investigation ------------------------------------- Some Translations Indicate Children: The message reads: 2 Kings 2:23-26 Note in this translation there are little kids. Also note the change to exclamation at the end of the sentence. Is this the translation or the Writer? 23 Another time, Elisha was on his way to Bethel and some little kids came out from the town and taunted him, "What's up, old baldhead! Out of our way, skinhead!" 24 Elisha turned, took one look at them, and cursed them in the name of God. Two bears charged out of the underbrush and knocked them about, ripping them limb from limb—forty-two children in all! Other Translations that indicate little children: 1. King James Little Children 2. English Standard version Small boys 3. 21st Century King James Little Children 4. Young’s Literal Translation Little Youths 5. Darby Translation Little Boys 6. New Life version Young boys 7. Holman Christian Bible Small boys ------------------------------------- Further Investigation ------------------------------------- Some Translations Indicate Teens or Young Men The Amplified Bible Reads: 2 Kings 2:23-26 Note they are Maturing and accountable. Note also the lack of exclamation used in this case 23He went up from Jericho to Bethel. On the way, ayoung [maturing and accountable boys came out of the city and mocked him and said to him, Go up in a whirlwind, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead! 24And he turned around and looked at them and called a curse down on them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and ripped up forty-two of the boys. Other Translations that indicate Young men 1. American Standard Version Young Lads 2. New American Standard Young Lads 3. New international Readers version Young Fellows -------------------------------------- Whether the boys in question are little boys or maturing men is in need of clarification. Why so many boys? Were they just making fun? Further the prophet cursed them but the prophet didn’t control the bears. This suggests Divine Intervention. Let me know your thoughts please. |