God miraculously restored life to a dead man through Elisha’s bones, signifying His unceasing power to bring resurrection and hope.
In 2 Kings 13:21, we encounter a striking miracle involving the prophet Elisha’s remains. Scripture states, “As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.” (v.21). This scene occurs in the northern kingdom of Israel around the early to mid-800s BC, shortly after Elisha’s death. Elisha had been a mighty prophet of the LORD, succeeding Elijah and serving during the reigns of Israel’s kings Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash. The urgency of a sudden enemy raid led the men to hastily place the dead body in Elisha’s tomb, resulting in a miraculous resurrection when the corpse touched the prophet’s bones.
In this passage, the unnamed marauding band likely comes from neighboring nations—Moabite raids into Israel were not uncommon during times of political instability. The text underscores how Israel’s surroundings were fraught with conflict, especially as the northern kingdom fluctuated in its devotion to the LORD. Despite Elisha’s earthly death, his legacy of God’s power persisted. The moment the dead man touched Elisha’s bones, he “revived and stood up on his feet,” which demonstrates that even after Elisha’s life ended, God continued to reveal His power through His servant.
Spiritually, this event foreshadows the hope of resurrection and renewal. Although it was only one man who arose in this story, it points forward to the greater truth that the power of the sovereign LORD cannot be halted by death. Centuries later, Jesus would declare Himself to be “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), confirming that God’s power overcomes the grave in an ultimate and eternal way. This moment at Elisha’s tomb is a vivid reminder that God’s authority transcends all earthly boundaries, even the finality of death.
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2 Kings 13:21 meaning
In 2 Kings 13:21, we encounter a striking miracle involving the prophet Elisha’s remains. Scripture states, “As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.” (v.21). This scene occurs in the northern kingdom of Israel around the early to mid-800s BC, shortly after Elisha’s death. Elisha had been a mighty prophet of the LORD, succeeding Elijah and serving during the reigns of Israel’s kings Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash. The urgency of a sudden enemy raid led the men to hastily place the dead body in Elisha’s tomb, resulting in a miraculous resurrection when the corpse touched the prophet’s bones.
In this passage, the unnamed marauding band likely comes from neighboring nations—Moabite raids into Israel were not uncommon during times of political instability. The text underscores how Israel’s surroundings were fraught with conflict, especially as the northern kingdom fluctuated in its devotion to the LORD. Despite Elisha’s earthly death, his legacy of God’s power persisted. The moment the dead man touched Elisha’s bones, he “revived and stood up on his feet,” which demonstrates that even after Elisha’s life ended, God continued to reveal His power through His servant.
Spiritually, this event foreshadows the hope of resurrection and renewal. Although it was only one man who arose in this story, it points forward to the greater truth that the power of the sovereign LORD cannot be halted by death. Centuries later, Jesus would declare Himself to be “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), confirming that God’s power overcomes the grave in an ultimate and eternal way. This moment at Elisha’s tomb is a vivid reminder that God’s authority transcends all earthly boundaries, even the finality of death.