ELISHA

of Elisha's life to any chronological sequence. His ministry covered half a century (b.c. 855-798), and during this period four monarchs, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash, sat on the throne of Israel (2 K S"-, cf. 13""). The story of Elisha was borrowed by the author of the Book of Kings from some prophetic work of the Northern Kingdom; and, without any regard for sequence in time, he has arranged his material according to subject-matter. In our canonical Book of Kings, the larger part of Elisha's activities is placed within the reign of Jehoram (2 K 3"-, cf. Q"). He may have reached the zenith of his career in these twelve years, but all the recorded events of his life cannot be crowded into this short period.

His name, Elislm (='God is salvation'), like that of his master, tersely describes his character and expresses his mission. Elijah's was a flint-like nature, which crushed its opponents and won its victories by hard blows. Elisha is a gentler and more gracious man, and gains his ends by diplomacy. He loves the haunts of men, and resides in cities like Dothan and Samaria. His miracles are deeds of mercy, and, like that of the Prophet of Nazareth, his ministry breathes a spirit 'of gracious, soothing, holy beneficence.' We find him at the headquarters of the sons of the prophets, making his benign presence felt. He sweetens a spring of brackish water at Jericho (2 K 2'^ ) at a time of drought ; he renders a poisonous mess of pottage harmless for the members of the prophetic guild (4'"" ) ; he multiplies the oil for the prophet's widow, who finds herself in dire extremity (4'" ). At the prophet's com-mand, as at the bidding of a greater than Elisha, the loaves are multiplied (4<'). His sympathy goes out in a practical way for the man who has lost his axe (,&"'■). One of the most beautiful stories in the whole range of Scripture is that of the entertainment of Elisha in the home of the Shunammite. Her hospitality and the practical manifestation of gratitude on the part of the prophet form a charming picture. In the restora-tion of her son to life, Elisha performs one of his greatest miracles (4™- 8'*). In his treatment of the Syrian troops which had been despatched to capture him, he anticipated the spirit of the Saviour (2 K 6'*"). i?he familiar incident of the healing of the leprosy of Naaman not only gives an idea of the influence and power of the man of God. but the story is suggestive of the pro-foundest spiritual truths (2 K 5«-").

The contrast between the spirit of master and disciple may be over-emphasized. Elisha could be as stern as Elijah: at Bethel he treats the mocking youth in the spirit of Sinai (2^), and no touch of pity can be detected in the sentence that falls on Gehazi (5^'). The estimate of Sirach (48") is according to all the facts of the OT narrative:

'Elijah it was who was wrapped in a tempest:

And Elisha was filled with nis spirit:

And in all his days he was not moved by the fear of any ruler,

And no one brought him into subjection.'

This severer side of the prophet's character appears in his public rather than in his private life. In the Moab-itish campaign, the allied kings seek bis counsel. His address to Jehoram of Israel, 'What have I to do with thee? Get thee to the prophets of thy father and the prophets of thy mother,' indicates that Elisha had not forgotten the past and the conflicts of his master (Si'"''). Later, the relations between the reigning monarch and the prophet seem more cordial, for the man of God reveals the plans of the Syrians to Israel's king (6*"). This change of attitude on the part of the prophet may be due to the fact that Jehoram attempted to do away with Baal worship (3^): but Elisha has not forgotten the doom pronounced upon the house of Ahab by Elijah. While Jehu is commanding the forces besieg-ing Ramoth-gilead, Elisha sends one of the sons of the prophets to anoint the general as king, and thus he

ELIZAPHAN

executes the commission which Elijah received from Jehovah at Horeb (1 K 19").

Elisha's relations with the Syrians are exceedingly interesting. On one occasion he appears to be as much at home in Damascus as in Samaria. Ben-hadad, suffering from a severe ailment, hears of his presence in his capital, and sends Hazael to the man of God to inquire concerning the issue. The prophet reads the heart of the messenger, and predicts both the king's recovery and his assassination by Hazael (2 K 8™). Nothing is said of a formal anointing, but in tills con-nexion Elisha seems to have carried out the commission of EUjah (1 K 19"). The blockade of Samaria (2 K 6«-72") probably falls in the reign of Jehoahaz. That the prophet is held by king and statesmen responsible for the straits to which the city has been reduced, is an eloquent tribute to his political influence. In this connexion Elisha's prediction of deliverance is speedily fulfilled.' Under Joash, Israel was hard pressed, and her might had dwindled to insignificance (13'), but Elisha was still the saviour of his country, joash weeps over him as he lies on his deathbed: 'My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof.' pirecting the monarch to perform a sym-bohcal act, the prophet gives him assurance of victory (13'™). Even after his burial his bones had the power to perform a beneficent miracle (IS^"- '').

An incident in the life of Elisha throws light on the prophetic state. Before declaring the final result of the campaign to the three kings, he asks for a minstrel. The music induces the ecstatic state, and then he proph-esies (3"). The supernatural abounds in his life; in many instances he manifests the power of prediction (416 528 6M. T'- 8i»- '™- 9"- 13'™). But some of his deeds are not miracles in the modern sense (2'™- 4"i'-6™). James A. Kelso.

ELISHAH.— The eldest ' son ' of Javan (Gn lO , whence the Tyrians obtained the purple dye (Ezk 27'). The latter favours identification with S. Italy and Sicily, or Carthage and N. African coast, both districts famous for the purple dye. Elissa, or Dido, the traditional foundress of Carthage, may indicate Elissa as an early name of Carthage, and Syncellus gives the gloss ' Elissa, whence the Sikeloi.' The Targum on Ezk. gives 'the province of Italy.' The Tell el-Amarna tablets include letters to the king of Egypt from the king of Alashia, Egyptian Also, which has been identified with Cyprus; known to Sargon, king of Assyria, as the land of the lonians, Javan. 'There are difficulties in all these identi-fications, possibly because the name itself denoted ditEerent districts at different epochs, and no certainty can yet be attained. C. H. W. Johns.

ELISHAMA. — 1. A prince of the tribe of Epbraim at the census in the wilderness, son of Ammihud and grandfather of Joshua (Nu l'» 2'8, 1 Ch 7=«). 2. One of David's sons, born in Jerusalem (2 S 5", 1 Ch 3' 14').

3. In 1 Ch 3« by mistake for Elishua of 2 S 5'', 1 Ch 14».

4. A descendant of Judah, son of Jekamiah (1 Ch 2"). 6. The father of Nethaniah, and grandfather of Ishmael, 'of the seed royal,' who killed Gedaliah at the time of the Exile (2 K 25'", Jer 41'). Jerome, following Jewish tradition, identifies him with No. 4. 6. A scribe or secretary to Jehoiakim (Jer 36'2- ''■ a). 7. A priest sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law in the cities of Judah (2 Ch 17').

ELISHAFHAT.— One of the captains who helped Jehoiada to install king Joash (2 Ch 23').

ELISHEBA. — Daughter of Amminadab and wife of Aaron (Ex 6»).

ELISHUA.— A son of David (2 S 5«, 1 Ch 14i>; also 1 Ch 3« [corrected text; see Elishama, 3]).

ELIUD. — An ancestor of Jesus (Mt 1").

ELIZAPHAN.— 1. Prince of the Kohathites (Nu 3»», 1 Ch 158, 2 Ch 2g»)=Elzaphan (Ex 6», Lv 10* P). 2.

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