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NASB | 2 Kings 2:9 ¶ When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Kings 2:9 ¶ And when they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." |
Bible Question:
Dear Searcher, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Peace, my friend. I am confused about your definition of 'anointed.' I was always under the impression that anointed (often with oil) meant 'chosen by God' or 'consecrated to a ministry.' While it is true that men physically did the anointing, the Holy Spirit led the men to do so. In this particular passage and it's context, I get the idea that Elisha was heir to Elijah's ministry of prophet, and that God approved it. If I am mistaken, please teach me the true meaning of 'anoint' and tell me what did happen to Elisha. But, if you are done with this discussion, maybe someone else can enlighten me? :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |
Bible Answer: Greetings bro. Charis: I agree with Bro. Searcher's last post regarding the "double portion" which is referring to Deut. 21:17 which refers to the custom in which the father would give a double portion which would be a sign to all that his was indeed his firstborn son who would be heir. "He must give the customary double portion to his oldest son, who represents the strength of his father's manhood and who owns the rights of the firstborn son, even though he is the son of the wife his father does not love." Elijah was raised up of the Lord as a prophet. In the old testament the Spirit of God came upon certain people whom God pick out for a specific purpose. Elijah was a spiritual father to Elisha. The parting for Elisha would be painful knowing the man of God would be gone. His concern it would appear was "who will take this prophet's place when he is gone"? In v.9 we see that Elijah trusted Elisha in contrast to the 50 others who simply wanted to see the event and later mocked v.16. Elisha in asking for a double portion was simply asking to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master. We find in V. 10 Elijah made it clear that only God could answer his request. I think however, that we see Elisha's faith as he reaches for the mantle of his master. God had granted his desire and God showed these in a miraculous way. In a sense God had set Elisha apart to be his prophet after Elijah was taken away. The word anoint is from the Hebrew word xXm transliterated "Mashah" is defined as: 1. a) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid. 1. to smear 2. to anoint (as consecration) 3. to anoit, consecrate b) to be anointed ( Strongs # 04886) In Christ Robert |