Meaning of the Name Elisha
Elisha combines the divine element "God" with the idea of salvation or help in Hebrew. It is therefore commonly explained as "God is salvation" or "God helps." The meaning is broadly secure.
Origin
The name Elisha is of Hebrew origin.
Who is Elisha in the Bible?
Elisha is the prophet who continues the ministry after Elijah and is remembered in 2 Kings for many miracles. The healing of Naaman, the widow's oil, and the Shunammite woman are among the best-known episodes of his ministry.
The story of Elisha in the Bible
Elisha's story begins with a command Elijah receives at Mount Horeb: the LORD tells him that Elisha son of Shaphat is to be anointed prophet in his place. Elijah finds him plowing and throws his mantle over him; Elisha sacrifices his oxen, feeds the people, and follows Elijah. Years later he is present when Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind; at the moment the chariot and horses of fire separate them, he asks for a double portion of his master's spirit and begins his ministry by parting the waters of the Jordan with Elijah's fallen mantle. 2 Kings tells his ministry through a chain of miracles: he heals Jericho's bitter water, multiplies a poor widow's oil, promises the Shunammite woman a son and later raises that child from death, and feeds a hundred men with a little bread. In one of the most famous accounts, Naaman the Aramean commander washes seven times in the Jordan at Elisha's word and is cleansed of leprosy. Through turbulent times Elisha carries God's word as the great heir of Elijah's ministry.
Is Elisha mentioned in the Quran?
The name Elisha is also mentioned in the Quran; in Islamic tradition he is counted among the prophets under the name al-Yasa. In the Bible he is the prophet who continued Elijah's ministry and whose miracles are told in 2 Kings.
Verses where Elisha appears
- 1 Kings 19:16 —
You shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
- 2 Kings 2:11 —
As they still went on, and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
- 2 Kings 5:14 —
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.