2 Kings 2:8-13
New Catholic Bible
8 Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up. He struck the waters with it, and they split apart, so the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
Elisha Succeeds Elijah. 9 After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask me for whatever you want before I am taken away.” Elisha said, “Let me please have a double portion[a] of your spirit.” 10 He answered, “You have asked for something that is difficult. If you see me taken away from you, then it will be yours. If not, then it will not be so.”
11 As they were walking along talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up into the heavens in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!” And then he could not see him anymore. He took hold of his clothes and tore them apart.[b]
13 He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen off of him, and he went back and stood by the banks of the Jordan.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Kings 2:9 A double portion: twice as much as to the other heirs of Elijah’s spirit, in accordance with the law governing the firstborn (Deut 21:17).
- 2 Kings 2:12 The same will be said in connection with Elisha himself (2 Ki 13:14); the meaning is that Elijah was worth an entire army in Israel’s defense.
