Bible Strands
2 Kings 2:9
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah addresses Elisha immediately after they cross the Jordan River on dry ground, asking what request he should grant before being taken from him.
The words — The Hebrew imperative שְׁאַל (sheʾal) means “ask” or “request,” paired with מָה (mah) meaning “what?” to frame Elijah’s open-ended offer.
The thread — The request echoes the inheritance law in Deuteronomy 21:17, while the underlying concept of transferred spiritual authority parallels Numbers 11:17 and the promised coming of the Spirit in John 16:7.
Why it lands — The text records Elisha’s direct request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, leaving the fulfillment contingent on whether he witnesses Elijah’s departure.
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 it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
Cross-references
- Numbers 11:17 And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.
- Deuteronomy 21:17 Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
- John 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
- Acts 20:25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
- Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.
- Zechariah 12:8 On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
- Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- Deuteronomy 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”