Epiphany · The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Last Sunday after the Epiphany) · Year B
2 Kings 2:1-12
Elijah Taken Up to Heaven
February 7, 2027
Overview & Insights
“And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11)
Elijah’s days have been numbered ever since 1 Kings 19:15–18. The end of the war with Baal-worship will not come about, we know from that passage, until Elisha has succeeded his mentor and Hazael and Jehu have appeared on the scene. We are now to hear of the first of these events, as the prophetic mantle passes from Elijah to Elisha. As Elijah has called fire down from heaven in chapter 1, so in chapter 2 he will be lifted in fire up to heaven, and Elisha will be authenticated as one who stands in true succession to him as a prophet of the LORD.
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Commentary
Commentary on 2 Kings 2:1-12 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reading of Elijah's ascent and the passing of the mantle to Elisha.
2 Kings 2:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed exposition on Elijah's departure as backstory to the Transfiguration.
2 Kings 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse evangelical treatment of the whirlwind and the double portion.
2 Kings 2 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page collecting Hebrew notes and cross references on Elijah and Elisha.
2 Kings 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered verse by verse on Elijah's translation.
Background & Word Study
2 Kings 2:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the whirlwind, the mantle, and the double portion.
II Kings 2 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Hebrew text alongside translation and Jewish commentaries on Elijah's ascent.
Enter the Bible: 2 Kings Enter the Bible
Background on the Elijah and Elisha narratives within the books of Kings.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How does Elijah depart?
As Elisha refuses to leave him, chariots and horses of fire part the two, and Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind; his mantle and a double portion of his spirit fall to Elisha. The church reads it beside the Transfiguration.
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