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Elisha

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The prophet who inherited Elijah’s mantle, performing miracles like multiplying oil and raising the dead, symbolizing prophetic continuity.

Detailed Definition
Elisha healed Naaman, multiplied oil, and prophesied victories. His ministry emphasized compassion alongside judgment. In poetry, Elisha represents the transfer of prophetic power, everyday miracles, and the enduring presence of God’s grace in ordinary life.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Elisha’s double portion (2 Kings 2) prefigures apostolic succession; In William Blake’s "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," Elisha’s miracles challenge mechanistic views of nature; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Elisha’s healing of Naaman symbolizes grace to outsiders; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Elisha’s refusal of Gehazi’s greed models integrity; In Alfred Tennyson’s "King David," Elisha’s anointing of Jehu dramatizes divine judgment; In Christina Rossetti’s "Later Life," Elisha’s bears and axe-head illustrate God’s power over life and matter.
Additional Notes
Elisha: Prophet who succeeded Elijah; known for miracles (multiplying oil, raising the Shunammite’s son), political involvement, and double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2–13). In poetry, Elisha represents continuity of prophetic office, compassion for the marginalized (widows, foreigners like Naaman), and the blending of spiritual and earthly concerns. His baldness and bears (2 Kings 2:23–24) present ethical challenges—useful for discussing prophetic authority and divine judgment. His relics (bones reviving a corpse, 2 Kings 13:21) add posthumous wonder—ideal for poems on legacy and lingering power.
Also Known As
Elisha the Prophet Elisha son of Shaphat
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