New International VersionBut they persisted until he was too embarrassed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him.
New Living TranslationBut they kept urging him until they shamed him into agreeing, and he finally said, “All right, send them.” So fifty men searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
English Standard VersionBut when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him.
Berean Standard BibleBut when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
King James BibleAnd when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
New King James VersionBut when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send them!” Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him.
New American Standard BibleYet when they urged him until he was ashamed to refuse, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but did not find him.
NASB 1995But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.
NASB 1977 But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days, but did not find him.
Legacy Standard Bible But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him.
Amplified BibleBut when they urged him until he was embarrassed [to refuse them], he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
Christian Standard BibleHowever, they urged him to the point of embarrassment, so he said, “Send them.” They sent fifty men, who looked for three days but did not find him.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHowever, they urged him to the point of embarrassment, so he said, “Send them.” They sent 50 men, who looked for three days but did not find him.
American Standard VersionAnd when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
Contemporary English VersionThey kept begging until he was embarrassed to say no. He finally agreed, and the prophets sent the men out. They looked three days for Elijah but never found him.
English Revised VersionAnd when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBut the disciples kept urging him [to send the men] until he was embarrassed. So he said, "Send them." They sent 50 men who searched for three days without finding him.
Good News TranslationBut they insisted until he gave in and let them go. The fifty of them went and looked high and low for Elijah for three days, but didn't find him.
International Standard VersionBut they persisted until he was frustrated, so he said, "Send them out!" So they sent out the 50 men, and they looked around for three days but did not find Elijah.
NET BibleBut they were so insistent, he became embarrassed. So he said, "Send them out." They sent the fifty men out and they looked for three days, but could not find Elijah.
New Heart English BibleWhen they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them." They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched for three days, but did not find him.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
World English BibleWhen they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they press on him, until he is ashamed, and he says, “Send”; and they send fifty men, and they seek three days, and have not found him;
Young's Literal Translation And they press upon him, till he is ashamed, and he saith, 'Send ye;' and they send fifty men, and they seek three days, and have not found him;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd they will press upon him till he was ashamed, and he will say, Send. And they will send fifty men; and they will seek three days, and they found not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut they pressed him, till he consented, and said: Send. And they sent fifty men: and they sought three days but found him not.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd they urged him, until he acquiesced and said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men. And after they had searched for three days, they did not find him.
New American BibleBut they kept urging him, until he was embarrassed and said, “Send them.” So they sent the fifty men, who searched for three days without finding him.
New Revised Standard VersionBut when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” So they sent fifty men who searched for three days but did not find him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when they urged him till he was embarrassed, he said, Send. So they sent therefore fifty men; and they sought him for three days, but found him not.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd they contended with him until he was ashamed of them, and he said: “Send!” And they sent fifty men and they looked for him three days, and they did not find him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said: 'Send.' They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd they pressed him until he was ashamed; and he said, Send. And they sent fifty men, and sought three days, and found him not.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Elisha Succeeds Elijah… 16“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied. 17But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. 18When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”…
Cross References 1 Kings 18:12I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.
Acts 1:9-11After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “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.”
1 Kings 18:10As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you.
Matthew 17:1-3After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
1 Kings 18:43-44“Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” / On the seventh time the servant reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” And Elijah replied, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”
Luke 24:51While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.
1 Samuel 10:22So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
Mark 9:2-4After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
Genesis 5:24Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.
Acts 8:39-40When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. / But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Exodus 24:15-18When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, / and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. ...
Hebrews 11:5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
Deuteronomy 34:5-6So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. / And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave.
Revelation 11:12And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
1 Kings 19:11-12Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.
2 Samuel 18:22,23
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? … Luke 11:8
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. Romans 10:2
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. found him not Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Jump to Previous Ashamed Fifty Find Found Kept Persisted Press Refuse Requesting Searched Searching Seek Shamed Sought Three UrgedJump to Next Ashamed Fifty Find Found Kept Persisted Press Refuse Requesting Searched Searching Seek Shamed Sought Three Urged2 Kings 2 1. Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan9. and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven12. Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknowledged his successor16. The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him.19. Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters23. Bears destroy the children that mocked ElishaBut when they pressed him to the point of embarrassmentElisha, having witnessed Elijah's ascension, was confident that Elijah had been taken by God. The sons of the prophets, however, insisted on searching for Elijah, reflecting a lack of faith or understanding of the miraculous event. This persistence highlights human doubt and the struggle to accept divine actions. The cultural context of the time often involved searching for missing persons, especially prophets, who were seen as vital to the community's spiritual life. he said, “Send them.”
Elisha's eventual consent to send the search party demonstrates patience and humility. Despite his certainty, he allows the sons of the prophets to satisfy their doubts. This act can be seen as a teaching moment, where Elisha accommodates their weakness in faith, similar to how Jesus often met people where they were in their understanding. And they sent fifty men
The number fifty is significant in biblical terms, often associated with jubilee and deliverance. Here, it may symbolize a complete and thorough search effort. The use of a large group underscores the seriousness with which the sons of the prophets approached the task, reflecting their respect and concern for Elijah. who searched for three days
The three-day search period is symbolic, often representing completeness or a significant period of waiting in the Bible. This mirrors other biblical events, such as Jonah in the belly of the fish and Jesus in the tomb, where three days signify a transition or transformation. but did not find Elijah
The failure to find Elijah confirms Elisha's testimony of his master's divine departure. This outcome reinforces the miraculous nature of Elijah's ascension and serves as a testament to God's power and the truth of His prophets. It also foreshadows the ultimate ascension of Jesus Christ, who, like Elijah, was taken up into heaven, leaving behind a legacy of faith and divine mission. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet and the successor of Elijah, who had just witnessed Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2. The Sons of the ProphetsA group of prophetic disciples who were aware of Elijah's departure and insisted on searching for him despite Elisha's initial refusal. 3. ElijahA major prophet in Israel who was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving Elisha as his successor. 4. Jordan RiverThe location near where Elijah was taken up and where the sons of the prophets wanted to search for him. 5. The Search PartyFifty men sent by the sons of the prophets to search for Elijah, despite Elisha's assurance that he was gone. Teaching Points Trust in God's RevelationElisha's initial refusal to send a search party demonstrates his trust in God's revelation and the finality of Elijah's departure. We are called to trust in God's word and His plans, even when others doubt or question. The Pressure of Public OpinionElisha eventually relents to the pressure of the sons of the prophets. This teaches us about the challenges of standing firm in our convictions when faced with persistent opposition or doubt from others. The Futility of Human Effort Without Divine GuidanceThe fruitless search for Elijah highlights the futility of human efforts when they are not aligned with God's will. We should seek God's guidance in our endeavors to ensure they are fruitful. The Role of Patience and UnderstandingElisha's patience with the sons of the prophets, despite their insistence, is a model for how we should deal with others who may not yet understand God's plans or revelations. The Importance of Faith in the UnseenThe event challenges us to have faith in what we cannot see, trusting in God's supernatural actions and His control over all circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 2:17?
2. Why did Elisha initially refuse the search for Elijah in 2 Kings 2:17?
3. How does 2 Kings 2:17 demonstrate Elisha's faith in God's plan?
4. What does 2 Kings 2:17 teach about trusting God's appointed leaders?
5. How can we apply Elisha's patience in our daily decision-making?
6. What other scriptures emphasize trusting God's timing over human insistence?
7. Why did Elisha allow the men to search for Elijah if he knew it was futile?
8. What does 2 Kings 2:17 teach about human persistence despite divine knowledge?
9. How does 2 Kings 2:17 reflect on the nature of faith and doubt?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 2?
11. 2 Kings 17:34-39 - If God's covenant with Israel was everlasting, how does the text reconcile this with the assertion that He 'rejected all the descendants of Israel?'
12. In 2 Chronicles 30:6, how could King Hezekiah send invitations throughout the northern kingdom if they had already been exiled according to 2 Kings 17?
13. 2 Kings 17:24-29 - Does the portrayal of each nation setting up its own gods align with known cultural assimilation patterns or does it conflict with archaeological findings?
14. The mention of Hazael's campaign (2 Kings 12:17) lacks archaeological evidence; does this cast doubt on the chapter's historicity?What Does 2 Kings 2:17 Mean But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassmentElisha has just witnessed Elijah taken up in the whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). The sons of the prophets, however, cannot grasp that Elijah is truly gone. • Their “pressing” shows a lack of faith in the clear miracle God has just performed, similar to Thomas’s doubt in John 20:24-29. • Elisha’s embarrassment highlights his certainty; knowing the truth, he is cornered by their unbelief (compare Luke 24:11 where the disciples first dismiss the women’s report of the resurrection).
He said, “Send them.”Elisha finally yields, not because he doubts, but to quiet their insistence. • Sometimes conceding to another’s request can expose error and teach a lesson (Acts 15:36-41—Paul and Barnabas part ways, and God still works through both). • Elisha’s consent parallels God allowing Israel to demand a king in 1 Samuel 8:7-9; permission is not always approval.
And they sent fifty menThe sizeable search party shows the prophets’ seriousness, yet also how human effort can be misdirected when it ignores God’s revealed word. • Fifty men recall the earlier companies of prophets in 2 Kings 2:7, reinforcing their communal mindset. • In 1 Kings 18:4, Obadiah hid fifty prophets, indicating this number was a common unit for prophetic bands.
Who searched for three daysThree days symbolize thoroughness (1 Samuel 9:20; Luke 2:46) and often precede a divine revelation. Here, however, the period ends with a confirmation of what God already declared. • The length of the search contrasts with the immediacy of Elijah’s ascent, underscoring the finality of God’s act (Hebrews 9:27).
But did not find ElijahTheir empty-handed return verifies Elisha’s testimony and God’s power. • Just as the empty tomb authenticated Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:5-7), the prophets’ failure authenticates Elijah’s translation and Elisha’s new role (2 Kings 2:15). • The scene teaches that when God acts supernaturally, human investigation cannot overturn His word (Job 11:7-9).
summary2 Kings 2:17 records a gracious but telling episode: Elisha allows the prophets to satisfy their doubts through a futile search, which only confirms the reality he already embraced. The passage warns against unbelief, affirms that God’s revealed actions stand unchallenged, and highlights Elisha’s rightful succession as prophet in Israel. (17) Urged him.-- Genesis 33:11. Till he was ashamed.--Literally, unto being ashamed. The pronoun is not expressed in the Hebrew. "They pressed upon him, 'ad b?sh," means "until he was embarrassed, disconcerted, put out of countenance." (Comp. 2Kings 8:11; Judges 3:25.) Thenius prefers "they carried their importunity to a shameless length;" Keil and Bahr, "until he was disappointed in the hope of dissuading them." (Comp. Psalm 22:5.) Verse 17. - And when they urged him, till he was ashamed, he said, Send; literally, when they urged him until shame; which some expound to mean, "until they were ashamed to press him any more" (Gesenius, Winer, Keil); but others, with more reason, "until he was ashamed to persist in his refusal" ( ἑὼς οῦ ἠσχύνετο, LXX.). It is always a hard thing for one man to refuse the repeated and earnest request of a multitude. When Elisha said, "Send," he had not in the least changed his mind; he only meant to say, "Send, then, if you insist upon it, to satisfy yourselves, not me. There is no harm in your sending." They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. The result bore out the advice and anticipations of the prophet. It was simply nil. No trace was found of the aged seer who had been translated from earth to heaven.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But when they pressedוַיִּפְצְרוּ־ (way·yip̄·ṣə·rū-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6484: To peck at, stun, dullhimב֥וֹ (ḇōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew to the point ofעַד־ (‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, whileembarrassment,בֹּ֖שׁ (bōš)Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayedhe said,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say“Send [them].”שְׁלָ֑חוּ (šə·lā·ḥū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, outAnd they sentוַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ (way·yiš·lə·ḥū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, outfiftyחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fiftymen,אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male personwho searched forוַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ (way·ḇaq·šū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive afterthreeשְׁלֹשָֽׁה־ (šə·lō·šāh-)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thricedaysיָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A daybut did notוְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, nofind [Elijah].מְצָאֻֽהוּ׃ (mə·ṣā·’u·hū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present
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OT History: 2 Kings 2:17 When they urged him until he was (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
