Mockers of Elisha Mauled by Bears
2 Kings 2:23-25
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2 K.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונערים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קטנים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויתקלסו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kgs 2:24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: Elisha pronounces judgment and two bears maul the mockers, showing the narrative consequence of the youths' derision.
- 1 Sam 2:12–17 (thematic): Describes the worthless, irreverent behavior of Eli's sons who despise priestly duties—parallel theme of youth disrespecting God's representatives and ensuing divine disapproval.
- 1 Sam 17:43 (thematic): Goliath mocks and taunts David (a servant/representative of the Lord); like the mockers of Elisha, the taunt precedes divine vindication of the LORD’s servant.
- Matt 23:34–36 (allusion): Jesus declares that he will send prophets and they will be persecuted and killed—broad theme of society rejecting prophets and suffering judgment for that rejection.
- Acts 7:52 (thematic): Stephen accuses his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting/murdering the prophets—connects to the recurring motif of people mocking or attacking God’s messengers and incurring guilt.
Alternative generated candidates
- He went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up on the way, some small youths came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!"
- Elisha went up from there to Bethel; as he was going up the road, some young lads came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!"
2 K.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויראם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויקללם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותצאנה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,pl
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- דבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מן: PREP
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותבקענה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ארבעים: NUM,m,pl
- ושני: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- ילדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs.13:24-26 (structural): A man of God is killed by a wild animal (a lion) as a form of divine punishment—parallel motif of God using wild beasts to execute judgment on those who violate or oppose a prophet.
- Numbers 16:31-33 (thematic): Dramatic, supernatural divine judgment (earth opening and swallowing rebels) carried out as immediate retribution against those who challenge God’s appointed authority—parallels the severity and divine sanction of punishment in 2 Kgs 2:24.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 (thematic): The declaration 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay' frames the biblical principle that God executes justice/vengeance—helps explain the theological perspective behind God-ordained, violent retribution like the bears' attack.
- Matt.10:14-15 (thematic): Jesus warns that towns rejecting his messengers will face judgment—New Testament parallel that rejecting or insulting God's messengers can bring divine consequences, echoing the treatment of the youths who mocked Elisha.
Alternative generated candidates
- He turned around, looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two she‑bears came out of the wood and tore forty‑two of the youths to pieces.
- He turned back, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD; then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.
2 K.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- אל: NEG
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הכרמל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומשם: CONJ+PREP+ADV
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 2:15 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same chapter: earlier Elisha is recognized by the sons of the prophets and movements concluding with his return to Samaria (continuation of the chapter's travel motif).
- 1 Kings 18:19 (thematic): Same geographical locus—Mount Carmel—as the site of a major prophetic confrontation (Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal), linking Elisha's presence on Carmel to earlier prophetic activity there.
- 1 Kings 18:42 (verbal): Elijah 'went up to the top of Carmel' (Hebrew language and movement to Carmel), paralleling the motif of a prophet ascending/being on Carmel and praying/acting there.
- Isaiah 35:2 (allusion): Mentions 'the excellency of Carmel and Sharon'—a poetic pairing of Carmel with the coastal plain that resonates with the verse's naming of Carmel and return toward the northern kingdom (Samaria/Shomron).
Alternative generated candidates
- From there he went to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
- From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
Elisha went up from there to Bethel; as he was going up the road, some young lads came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!"
He turned back, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the lads.
From there he went to Mount Carmel, and then he returned to Samaria.