Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:8
Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha the man of God addresses a written message to the king of Israel immediately after learning that the king tore his clothes in distress over a Syrian demand. The exchange occurs chronologically between the king’s panicked reaction to the letter and Naaman’s arrival at Elisha’s door.
The words — The text highlights קָרַע (ka.Ra'), meaning “he had torn,” describing the king’s physical gesture of alarm, and אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים (ish ha’Elohim), literally “man of God,” identifying Elisha’s recognized prophetic office.
The thread — The act of tearing clothes appears in 2 Samuel 3:31 as a mandated sign of mourning and in Exodus 11:8 where foreign officials will bow before Moses, contrasting royal panic with prophetic authority. The claim that a true prophet exists in Israel parallels 1 Kings 17:24, where a foreign woman acknowledges Elijah’s divine commission through his words.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to see that divine power functions through appointed messengers rather than royal distress or political pressure. It demands direct engagement with God’s representative instead of relying on status, ritual gestures, or human mediation.
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 was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
Cross-references
- Exodus 11:8 And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.
- 2 Samuel 3:31 Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.
- 1 Kings 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth.”
- 1 Kings 18:36 At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command.
- 2 Kings 1:6 They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’”
- 2 Kings 5:3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”
- 2 Kings 5:7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”
- 2 Kings 5:15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
- Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- Hosea 12:13 But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.