Bible Strands
2 Kings 2:5
Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The sons of the prophets at Jericho approach Elisha and ask whether he knows the LORD will remove Elijah that day. Elisha confirms the knowledge and commands them to remain silent about it.
The words — וַ/יִּגְּשׁ֨וּ (va/i.yi.ge.Shu) denotes "and they drew near," marking the physical approach of the group. בְנֵֽי־הַ/נְּבִיאִ֥ים (ve.nei-ha./ne.vi.'Im) literally translates to "sons of the prophets," identifying the speakers at Jericho.
The thread — The inquiry about a departing master parallels the sons of the prophets at Bethel in 2 Kings 2:3 and Jacob’s statement "I know" in Genesis 48:19. Joshua 1:1 similarly frames leadership succession immediately after a prophet’s departure.
Why it lands — The text records confirmed knowledge of a divine act followed by a strict injunction against speech. Readers must note the transition of prophetic authority without projecting later theological developments onto the exchange.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
- Genesis 48:19 But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
- Joshua 1:1 Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying,
- Ecclesiastes 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
- Isaiah 41:1 “Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
- Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
- Luke 24:51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.
- John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.
- Acts 1:2 until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.
- Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”