2 Kings 2:8

8 Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that they two went over on dry ground.

2 Kings 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 2:8

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together
Folded it up close together, in a position to smite with it; this is thought to be not his hairy garment, but a shorter robe, that was worn upon his shoulders; but the Greek version renders it by "melotes", and so in ( 2 Kings 2:14 ) , which, according to Isidore ^F12, was a goat's skin, hanging down from the neck, and girt at the loins; and being thus clothed, perhaps, may be the reason of his being called an hairy man, ( 2 Kings 1:8 ) ,

and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither;
just as Moses lifted up his rod, and the waters of the sea were divided for the Israelites:

so that they two went over on dry ground;
in like manner as the Israelites did through the sea.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Origin. l. 19. c. 24.

2 Kings 2:8 In-Context

6 Elijah said to him, "Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to the Jordan." He said, "As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." They two went on.

7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood over against them afar off: and they two stood by the Jordan.

8 Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that they two went over on dry ground.

9 It happened, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you. Elisha said, please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.

10 He said, You have asked a hard thing: [nevertheless], if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so to you; but if not, it shall not be so.