SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:9
¶ Y cuando hubieron pasado, Elías dijo a Eliseo: Pide lo que quieres que haga por ti, antes que sea quitado de contigo. Y dijo Eliseo: Te ruego que una doble medida de tu espíritu sea sobre mí.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 2:9
Verse 9. A double portion of thy spirit be upon me.] This in reference to the law, Deut. xxi. 17: He shall acknowledge the first-born, by giving him a DOUBLE PORTION of all that he hath-the right of the first-born is his. Elisha considered himself the only child or first-born of Elijah, as the disciples of eminent teachers were called their children; so here he claims a double portion of his spiritual influence, any other disciples coming in for a single share only. Sons of the prophets means no more than the disciples or scholars of the prophets. The original words µynŤ yp pi shenayim, mean rather two parts, than double the quantity.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. And it came to pass, when they were gone over , etc.] Had got on the other side Jordan: that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken from thee ; for, having followed him so closely, he now made no more a secret of his assumption, and having had full trial of his attachment to him, and affection for him: and Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me ; the two parts of the gifts of the spirit he had, that of prophecy, and that of doing miracles, as some think; or two parts out of three of what Elijah was possessed of; or rather double as much, and which he might desire, not from a spirit of vanity and ambition to be greater than his master, but from an eagerness to promote the glory of God, and the interest of religion, to reclaim the Israelites from their idolatry, and establish the true religion, which he might observe Elijah was not able to do with that measure of grace and gifts he had; or however this phrase denotes an abundance, a large portion or measure, as it everywhere does. Many, after Ben Gersom, have thought it refers to the double portion of the firstborn, and that Elisha does not mean a double portion with respect to Elijah, but with respect to the junior prophets, with whom he might be considered as a firstborn, and so desired a double or greater portion than they, and which may be most correct f12 ; and when he asked this, he did not suppose it was in Elijah’s power to give him it, only that he would pray to God, at parting with him, that he would bestow it on him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-12 - That fulness, from whence prophets and apostles had all their supply still exists as of old, and we are told to ask large supplies from it Diligent attendance upon Elijah, particularly in his last hours, woul be proper means for Elisha to obtain much of his spirit. The comfort of departing saints, and their experiences, help both to gild ou comforts and to strengthen our resolutions. Elijah is carried to heave in a fiery chariot. Many questions might be asked about this, whic could not be answered. Let it suffice that we are told, what his Lord when he came, found him doing. He was engaged in serious discourse encouraging and directing Elisha about the kingdom of God among men. We mistake, if we think preparation for heaven is carried on only by contemplation and acts of devotion. The chariot and horses appeare like fire, something very glorious, not for burning, but brightness. By the manner in which Elijah and Enoch were taken from this world, God gave a glimpse of the eternal life brought to light by the gospel, or the glory reserved for the bodies of the saints, and of the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers. It was also a figure of Christ's ascension. Though Elijah was gone triumphantly to heaven, ye this world could ill spare him. Surely their hearts are hard, who fee not, when God, by taking away faithful, useful men, calls for weepin and mourning. Elijah was to Israel, by his counsels, reproofs, an prayers, better than the strongest force of chariot and horse, and kep off the judgments of God. Christ bequeathed to his disciples his precious gospel, like Elijah's mantle; the token of the Divine powe being exerted to overturn the empire of Satan, and to set up the kingdom of God in the world. The same gospel remains with us, thoug the miraculous powers are withdrawn, and it has Divine strength for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 כעברם 5674 ואליהו 452 אמר 559 אל 413 אלישׁע 477 שׁאל 7592 מה 4100 אעשׂה 6213 לך בטרם 2962 אלקח 3947 מעמך 5973 ויאמר 559 אלישׁע 477 ויהי 1961 נא 4994 פי 6310 שׁנים 8147 ברוחך 7307 אלי׃ 413
