3
2KI 2:3
8
2KI 2:8
When they reached the Jordan, Elijah took his prophet's cloak, rolled it up ( גּלם , ἁπ. λεγ. convolvit ), and smote the water with it; whereupon the water divided hither and thither, so that they both passed through on dry ground. The cloak, that outward sign of the prophet's office, became the vehicle of the Spirit's power which works unseen, and with which the prophet was inspired. The miracle itself is analogous to the miraculous dividing of the Red Sea by the stretching out of Moses' rod ( Exodus 14:16, Exodus 14:21); but at the same time it is very peculiar, and quite in accordance with the prophetic character of Elijah, Moses, the leader of the people, performed his miracles with his shepherd's crook, Elijah the prophet divided the river with his prophet's mantle.
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In Bethel the disciples of the prophets came to meet Elisha, and said to him, “Knowest thou that Jehovah will take thy master from over thy head to-day?” ראשׁ מעל לקח expresses in a pictorial manner the taking away of Elijah from his side by raising him to heaven, like ἐπαίρειν and ὑπολαμβάνειν in Acts 1:9-10. Elisha replied, “I know it, be silent,” because he knew Elijah's feeling. The Lord had therefore revealed to the disciples of the prophets the taking away of Elijah, to strengthen their faith.
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