Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The account of the young man laid in Elisha's grave is a remarkable narrative found in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 13:20-21. This story highlights the enduring power of God working through His prophets, even after their earthly lives have ended.

Biblical Account:

The narrative begins with the death of Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah and served as a powerful instrument of God's will in Israel. Elisha's ministry was marked by numerous miracles, demonstrating God's sovereignty and compassion. After his death, Elisha was buried, and the story takes an extraordinary turn.

The Bible records: "Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once, while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet" (2 Kings 13:20-21).

Theological Significance:

This miraculous event underscores several key theological themes. Firstly, it attests to the enduring power of God, which transcends human limitations, including death. The revival of the young man upon contact with Elisha's bones serves as a testament to the divine power that continued to operate through Elisha, even posthumously.

Secondly, the incident illustrates the concept of God's grace and intervention in unexpected ways. The young man's revival was not a result of any human action or request but was purely an act of divine will. This emphasizes the sovereignty of God in matters of life and death.

Furthermore, the story can be seen as a foreshadowing of the resurrection power that is fully realized in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. It serves as a precursor to the hope of resurrection and eternal life promised to believers, reinforcing the belief in God's ultimate victory over death.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The presence of Moabite raiders during the time of Elisha's burial reflects the turbulent period in Israel's history, marked by frequent conflicts and invasions. The hasty burial of the young man due to the threat of raiders highlights the precariousness of life during this era.

Conclusion:

The account of the young man laid in Elisha's grave is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and the hope of resurrection. It serves as an encouragement to believers, affirming that God's power is not confined by time or circumstance. This story, while unique in its occurrence, aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive work throughout history.
Nave's Topical Index
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 sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Prophet of Peace
... as coming into personal touch with the people, surrounded by ... the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ ... instruction to the earnest groups of young men assembled ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 19 a prophet of.htm

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
... Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide ... Moses was a young man of like passions
with yourselves;"but ... rather to suffer affliction with the people of God ...
/.../chapter xix tit 2 6 thoughts.htm

A Solemn Deprival
... but what is the Bible but a dead letter without ... Without Christ you may live, young
man"though, mark, you ... EXCITE THE THANKFULNESS OF GOD'S PEOPLE FOR WHAT THE ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/a solemn deprival.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... we are alive unto God, we shall be dead to ourselves ... natural man it is foolishness,
and to the young convert an ... to enjoy an eternal rest with the people of God ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... to use the apostle's words, "She is dead while she ... Some people may be eunuchs from
necessity; I am one of ... roof of his mouth for thirst; the young children ask ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... their trust in God, [562]482; the dead insulted, [563 ... 1016]420; the old referred
to the young for, [1017 ... 1122]488; proofs of forethought for the people, [1123]488 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Resources
What is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said "Let the dead bury the dead" (Luke 9:60)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Day of the Dead? | GotQuestions.org

Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Dead

Dead (People): Anointing

Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For

Dead (People): Dorcas

Dead (People): Eutychus

Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter

Dead (People): Lazarus

Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing

Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See

Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son

Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath

Dead (People): The Widow's Son

Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave

Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen

Dead Beat Dads

Dead Body

Dead Sea

Dead Sea: Called Salt Sea

Dead Sea: East Sea

Dead Sea: Former Sea

Dead Sea: Prophecy Concerning

Dead Sea: Sea of the Plain

The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean

The Dead were Washed and Laid Out

The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices

The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin

The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction

The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden

The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions

The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion

The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit

The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs

The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God

The Dead: Diviners

The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness

The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin

The Dead: Faith Without Works

The Dead: Freedom from the Law

The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin

The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden

The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For

The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To

The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted

The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For

The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For

The Dead: Impotence

The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ

The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ

The Dead: Man's State by Nature

The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners

The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments

The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great

The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For

The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of

The Dead: Return not to This Life

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased

The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not

The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From

The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life

The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp

The Dead: Too Soon Forgotten

The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness

The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation

Related Terms

Corpses (16 Occurrences)

Half-dead (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Shades (29 Occurrences)

Zoar (12 Occurrences)

Cities (427 Occurrences)

Corpse (18 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Carcase (38 Occurrences)

Carcass (30 Occurrences)

Carcasses (30 Occurrences)

Sodom (49 Occurrences)

Apostles'

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Alive (166 Occurrences)

Quit (12 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Charm (5 Occurrences)

Sleep (136 Occurrences)

Quick (49 Occurrences)

Considered (80 Occurrences)

Cremation

Champaign (1 Occurrence)

Cuttings (5 Occurrences)

Apocyphra

Announce (56 Occurrences)

Apples (11 Occurrences)

Abaddon (7 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Allow (86 Occurrences)

Sela (5 Occurrences)

Stoned (38 Occurrences)

Aren't (102 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Already (171 Occurrences)

Amnon (23 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quicken (16 Occurrences)

Quickened (9 Occurrences)

Contact (4 Occurrences)

Clearly (67 Occurrences)

Cuts (20 Occurrences)

Abyss (11 Occurrences)

Another's (28 Occurrences)

Arnon (23 Occurrences)

Stench (12 Occurrences)

Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Sleepeth (13 Occurrences)

Slime (6 Occurrences)

Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)

Surprised (46 Occurrences)

Sore (156 Occurrences)

State (51 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Charged (109 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

Sheol (64 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Changed (177 Occurrences)

Vine-garden (43 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Conduct (93 Occurrences)

Stead (117 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Awake (83 Occurrences)

Sell (58 Occurrences)

Speaking (376 Occurrences)

Dead (People): The Widow's Son
Top of Page
Top of Page