What does 2 Kings 13:21 mean?
"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." - 2 Kings 13:21
The verse 2 Kings 13:21 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revivied, and stood up on his feet."
This verse comes from the Old Testament, specifically from the book of 2 Kings, which details the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. In this particular passage, we witness a miracle of the resurrection of a dead man, all through the power of God and the prophet Elisha.
The themes present in 2 Kings 13:21 include God's power, the authority and anointing of his prophets, and the redemption of physical death. These themes are central to the larger narrative of 2 Kings and the Bible as a whole.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. At this point in 2 Kings, Elisha is near the end of his life, and his death is mentioned in the preceding verses. His legacy as a powerful prophet and servant of God is well-established, and this miracle serves as a final testament to his authority and the divine power working through him. The fact that the dead man resurrects after touching Elisha's bones is a testament to the anointing on Elisha's life and the miracles he performed.
Symbolism in this verse is plentiful. Elisha's bones serve as a symbol of his authority and power even after his death. The resurrection of the dead man signifies the defeat of death through the power of God, foreshadowing the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ's resurrection. The entire passage is a powerful symbol of the redemptive nature of God and the divine authority held by his chosen servants.
This verse also serves as a sign of hope and encouragement for believers. It shows the power of God to overcome even death itself and demonstrates the authority he has given to his prophets. It serves as a reminder that God's power is not limited by physical boundaries and that he can bring life from death.
From a theological perspective, 2 Kings 13:21 points to the overarching narrative of redemption and resurrection found throughout the Bible. It connects to the promise of a coming Messiah who will ultimately defeat death and provide eternal life for all who believe in him.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 13:21 is a powerful and miraculous verse that highlights the authority and anointing of God's chosen servants, the defeat of physical death through God's power, and the redemptive promise of resurrection. It serves as a symbol of hope and encouragement for believers and points to the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ. This verse is a testament to the timeless themes and truths found within the pages of the Bible.
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2 Kings 13:21 - "And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet."
"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." - 2 Kings 13:21
2 Kings 21:13 - "And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down."
2 Kings 2:21
Habakkuk 2:1-3
2 Chronicles 13:21 - "¶ But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters."
2 Kings 13:13 - "And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:13 - "But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:"
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"
2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
2 Kings 13:22 - "¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
2 Kings 13:8 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."
2 Kings 19:13 - "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?"
2 Kings 21:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 3:21 - "¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border."
2 Kings 2:13 - "He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;"
2 Kings 13:12 - "And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:26 - "And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."