Bears in the bible elisha. This means that calling Elisha “bald” is saying that the Lord is not getting through into those actual, literal stories – that the stories are empty, without real meaning. This event occurs shortly after Elisha has succeeded Elijah as the leading prophet in Israel, having witnessed Elijah's ascension into heaven. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled May 27, 2023 · And in light of the fact that Elijah was quite hairy, it becomes obvious that the youths are, in fact, denying Elisha as the true successor to Elijah (cf. As Elisha was plowing, God's prophet Elijah came by and called him. From there Elisha went to Mount Carmel and then back to Dec 5, 2024 · The Bible's Elisha Explains Why He Made 2 Bears Maul 42 Children Finally an explanation for one of the Bible's weirdest passages! Baldy and the Bears —2nd Kings 2 In second Kings, the second chapter, you can read the story of Elisha and some youths who mocked him. Finally, they told him to "go up", inferring to the mountain (s?) near the village where, again, Elijah had just passed to heaven. The Elisha turned around, glared at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. I’ve heard it preached as an admonition against mocking (or even questioning) the “man of God. One of the strangest stories in the Old Testament comes at the end of 2 Kings 2 with Elisha, the bears and 42 children. 1 day ago · It’s Sunday again, so here’s a question for my Christian friends. cbn. Elizabeth Mitchell points out, examining the context (and Hebrew) sheds light on this strange event. Did the children deserve to be killed in this fashion for mocking Elijah? Why did God choose bears for this task? By telling Elisha to “go away” or “go up,” the wording is not simply telling him to leave their presence but to leave this world! If more than forty members of a youth gang surrounded you and told you they thought you should not be in this world, I think you’d take that as a definite threat to your safety and life. This is no angry, unreasonable outburst from Elisha due to vanity. ” And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it. Compare Verse Translations At first glance this seems to be an inordinate response to the boys' mean-spirited mockery. Oct 3, 2016 · If you look at this verse in your Bible, it is probably in a section entitled something like, “Elisha Succeeds Elijah. ” Come up, bald head! Then he turned and looked at her, and cursed her in the name of the Lord. Elisha and the She Bears: What in the World is This All About? The Word of God is scattered with extraordinary and miraculous stories—but some of them can spin your head. Elisha and the Bears Critics of the Bible often refer to this story, pointing to it as a reason to dismiss the Bible as a holy book. 2 Kings 1:8), and therefore they are denying that he speaks the word of Yahweh. Elisha and the Bears - What does this story mean and how does it apply to my life? Read from 2_Kings 2:23-24 (American Standard Version). Nov 18, 2015 · And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. When 42 children were torn apart by bears for mocking Elisha's baldness 2 Kings 2:23-24, KJV: "And he went up from thence unto Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. Baldy and the Bears —2nd Kings 2 In second Kings, the second chapter, you can read the story of Elisha and some youths who mocked him. Read the Bible story: Elisha and the Bears (2 Kings 2:23-24) in the King James Version translation of the Bible. After God took the prophet Elijah up to heaven in a chariot, Elisha became In response, Elisha invokes the name of the Lord to curse them, and suddenly, two female bears emerge from the woods, mauling 42 of the boys. God controls nature, including the animals. He calls upon the name of the Lord and invokes divine judgment, saying, “Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty -two of the youths” (2 Kings 2:24, NKJV). From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. Now Elisha was God's prophet to Israel. 26:22). If mocking God or a prophet deserves death, why are Muslims constantly criticised for being In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the ministry of Elisha and the importance of imparting the life of Christ in our own ministries. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. Elijah served as a prophet of God for 8 years from 860BC-852BC. 📖 In the Bible (2 Kings 2:23-24), a group of youths mocked the prophet Elisha by calling him "baldhead. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Name also spelled Elisaios, or Eliseus – Greek and Latin, in the Old Testament, Israelite prophet, the pupil of Elijah, and also his […] Elisha and the Bears This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 2 Kings 2:23-25, written for children to understand. Jul 7, 2020 · The prophet Elisha is odd. If forty-two youths can be mauled for mockery, then the God behind that act is not one who invites comfort, but one who demands fear. Exciting Bible story of Elisha and the bears: Instructive story about respect and divine protection for children vividly told. Among these stories, the episode where God sends bears to kill 42 boys in response to their disrespect towards the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-25) often raises questions and sparks controversy. |Unforgettable Beach Moments at Grand Beach Cafe|photo Harriet N. _ Aye, say as you all do, both physicians and courtiers. Study the prophet Elisha:his miracles, mantle, and ministry of compassion and boldness. ” A severe warning to honor your pastor. Note that Elisha did not call out the bears, God did. _ See on 1 Kings 14:3. This perplexing tale prompts a range of questions and We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Elisha, Two Bears, and Forty-Two Kids 2 Kings 2:23-24 is a fascinating and in some ways worrisome passage, especially as it is represented in many translations of the Bible. There were 42 boys ripped apart by the bears. Jun 13, 2024 · In one such narrative, the prophet Elisha called upon a bear to come and maul boys. Jan 12, 2015 · Elisha’s Response: In response to the mockery directed at him, Elisha pronounces a curse upon the youths. Brutal, right? My question is simple. That is when the pastor injected a comment about Elisha cursing some children who had taunted him, and how they were then attacked and mauled by two bears. All of a sudden there was a tangential discussion on people’s hair and bald-headedness. They mocked him: “Get going, Baldy! Get going, Baldy!” Turning around, Elisha looked at them and cursed them in the LORD’s name. He pops up in 1 Kings 19:19-21 as the protégé of Elijah, but he then remains invisible until 2 Kings 2 when Elijah is carried into heaven and Elisha takes up his mantle. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. John Schultz: Elisha did not call for bears to come and devour the boys; that was God’s doing. … Overview of the Passage 2 Kings 2:23-24 states: “Then Elisha went up from there to Bethel. Elisha died during the reign of King Two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths: In response to the curse of Elisha, God sent two female bears and they mauled (literally, cut up) the young men. Are Bald People Just Temperamental? The first thing to dismiss is that this was an older man who reacted badly to taunts about his male pattern What is the symbolism of 42 boys being mauled by 2 bears when taunting Elisha? Why did Elisha curse these boys for making fun of him? What was so bad about what the boys said that 42 should be mauled to death by bears? Why does the Bible specify 2 mother bears & why specifically 42 boys? Thanks! 2 Kings 2:23 Dec 5, 2015 · Elisha again demonstrates that he bears the spirit of Elijah, which is the Spirit of Yahweh, for he can call out bears from the forest as readily as Elijah can call out fire from heaven to consume the soldiers of Ahaziah…. Jan 27, 2025 · Why did God allow the bears to kill the youths mocking Elisha? Explore the deeper meaning behind this controversial Bible story and learn why understanding context matters in our walk with God. Elijah Taken Up to Heaven - When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. This is a complex issue that actually does have to do with cosmic geography and even more so, the denial of Elisha’s status as the prophet of Yahweh and as a solicitation to Elisha to play the In this video, we delve into the biblical story of Prophet Elisha and the bears, where 42 children faced God's wrath. Then two bears came out of the woods and mangled forty-two of the youths. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage. ” 2 Kings 2:15-25 present a transition from Elijah’s ministry to Elisha’s, and is meant to demonstrate a continuation from the mentor to the mentee. This story is recounted only here in the Old Testament and unfolds as follows. You would think this would strike the fear of God into the hearts of the entire area for years to come. Bears, I have a view that might give us some insight into why bears with background and scriptures. Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have Dec 5, 2024 · The Bible’s Elisha Explains Why He Made 2 Bears Maul 42 Children Photo by Simon Hurry via Pexels 2 Kings 2:23–25: 23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. It is essential for us to approach this topic with open-mindedness, critical thinking, and respect for biblical Aug 3, 2011 · Thursday, August 25, 2011 Elisha and the Killer Bears (II Kings 2:24) What happened to children who made fun of Elisha’s bald head? Bears ate them (II Kings 2:24) Elisha was involved in a graphic incident at Bethel in which the prophet’s curse led to the death of his critics (II Kings 2:23-24). Type “AMEN” if you believe! #ElishasBones # Elisha (God is my salvation) [a] was, according to the Hebrew Bible, an Israelite prophet and a wonder-worker. Cook emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion, drawing parallels between the behavior of bears and human interactions. Keywords: Elisha two bears, Elisha Bible story, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Bible miracles, Old Testament stories, AI Bible art, SpirtualBible. Read full chapter 2 Kings 1 2 Kings 3 Easy-to-Read Version Note that Elisha did not call out the bears, God did. His relationship with Jehoram was complex, involving both rebuke and assistance. Elisha and the Bears |Animated Bible Movie #biblestoryanimation #animatedbiblestories #biblestories Discover the story of Elisha and the bears, a powerful lesson in respect and understanding May 1, 2010 · The video certainly depicts the “youths” at the older end of the spectrum, but the basic sentiment is still there: as one of the video characters declares, “this seems like a disproportionate response” to insulting Elisha’s lack of hair. _Thou mayest certainly recover. Read: What Should We Make of the Story of Elisha and the Bears? (Gospel Doctrine Lesson 29A). (English) Elisha walking calmly with two bears emerging from the woods A few boys standing at a distance, gesturing Title banner with reference: 2 Kings 2 Clearly labeled: Elisha, Two Bears, Mocking Boys Perfect for Sunday School, Old Testament prophet studies, or character lessons on respect, kindness, and obedience. In fact, Elisha performed twice as many miracles over his tenure as did Elijah. Join us as we explore this intriguing tale from the Bible with a lesson to The account of Elisha and the bears is not a child's tale with a moral - it’s a theological provocation. His interactions with these rulers were marked by both confrontation and counsel. And as he was going up the road, little boys came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Come up, bald head. Once upon a time, there was a man named Elisha who was traveling to a city called Bethel. ” So they brought it to him. Earlier in the chapter, Elijah has been taken up to heaven in spectacular fashion. As he was going up the road, some young people came out of the city. Jun 9, 2023 · Some see Elisha's encounter with the youths of Bethel and the she-bears in II Kings 2:23-24 as cruel and vengeful. The passage reads as follows in the Berean Standard Bible : Elisha’s hair, then, represents the most outward expression of the Lord in the Bible, or the actual, literal stories themselves. Perfect for Bible study, Christian inspiration, and exploring Old Testament miracles. org ︎The free Superbook Bible app contai 2 Kings 2:1-14. Nov 12, 2010 · Why would God allow two bears to maul little children for insulting Elisha? Examining the context (and Hebrew) sheds light on this strange event. 24 Elisha looked back and saw them. One day, God took Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind. Feb 4, 2022 · I was sitting in a church on a recent Wednesday night listening to the pastor teach an in-depth Bible lesson. superbook. 25 Elisha left Bethel and went to Mount Carmel and from there he went back to Samaria. Elijah’s work for God ended when God took him to heaven. Audio Bible Context Elisha Mocked 23 24 Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. 2 Kings 8:10. The account of Elisha and the bears is found in 2 Kings 2:23-25. Elisha miraculously calls up two female bears to maul forty two of the children. Two female bears (not three bears--papa bear, mamma bear, and baby bear) came out and tore up forty-two young men. Discover the story of Elisha and the bears—a powerful reminder about respecting those chosen by God. Elisha then became God’s prophet and served God for 56 years from 852BC-796BC. (2 Kings 2:23-25, ESV) Now… that’s a very weird story. Before leaving, however, he passes his prophetic mantle Jun 9, 2023 · Some see Elisha's encounter with the youths of Bethel and the she-bears in II Kings 2:23-24 as cruel and vengeful. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. Back then, when Elisha was being mocked, it was a question of whose god held true authority, so God demonstrated His power by sending two bears to maul the boys, forcing the idolatrous town to realize their god couldn't be real or powerful since he failed to protect their offspring, thereby distinguishing Elisha as a true prophet. She highlights the sacrificial love of a mother bear for her cubs, illustrating the depth of love and protection. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 1. Elisha and the bears - Elisha went up from there to Bethel. If you’ve ever read 2 Kings 2, you encountered one of the Bible's strangest stories, guarenteed: the encounter between… Nov 18, 2015 · And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. Bible passage The story of Elisha and the bears is found in 2 Kings 2:23-25: “And he went up from there to Bethel. Did the children deserve to be killed in this fashion for mocking Elijah? Why did God choose bears for this task? On his way he is met by a group of children who make fun of his baldness. dryb Jan 21, 2014 · Elisha didn’t control the actions of the bear, but we know God did. Oct 13, 2025 · Explore the powerful symbolic role of bears in Scripture as divine agents of judgment, strength, and maternal protection. What can we learn from this ancient tale? CHARACTERS: God, Elisha, Gehazi, Jehoram, Ben-hadad, Hazael, Ahaziah, Shu Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments 2 Kings 8:8. Elijah and Elisha passed through the same town before they went up the mountain, so they could've recognized him and thus were directly insulting Elijah's passing. Feb 17, 2023 · Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. What happens when the bible meets modern law? Answer this question and many more with FULL EPISODES of our sketch show with DryBar Comedy at:https://www. And the phrase “go up!” may also be mocking how God had just “taken up” Elijah (2 Kings 2). As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. This use of animals fulfils a verse in Leviticus 26:21-22 which says that one curse on unfaithful people would be wild beasts bereaving them of their children. ︎Check out our new Superbook Show Website: http://now. Their argument is pretty straightforward: If Elisha would cause bears to attack children – 42 children! – for insulting his hairless head, how can we regard him as a good person? He is described as a "Man of God," but what kind of God would want this? Or put it this way: "Sticks Elisha’s hair, then, represents the most outward expression of the Lord in the Bible, or the actual, literal stories themselves. " God's response? He sent two bears out of the woods that mauled 42 of them to death. , as readily as Yahweh can unleash lions against disobedient prophets (1 Kgs. The young man left his farm to be God's servant. This demonstrates that a ministry of life will always have abundance. If you’ve ever read 2 Kings 2, you encountered one of the Bible’s strangest stories, guarenteed: the encounter between the prophet Elisha and a group of young boys who get mauled by bears. _Take a present. From Elisha's she-bears to prophetic visions depicting kingdoms, discover how these majestic creatures illustrate God's justice, authority, and fierce protective love throughout biblical narratives. And as he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, saying, ‘Go on up, you baldhead! Go on up, you baldhead!’ Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. We should notice that the bears come down after Elisha’s curse. The sermon begins by referencing a story from the Bible where Elisha miraculously feeds a hundred people with a small amount of food, similar to Jesus feeding the five thousand. They were telling Elisha to go and disappear like Elijah. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys to pieces. Several are bizarre, some seem almost trivial, but one is notorious: the story This is not a story about the prophet Elisha siccing bears on some bratty kids. Jan 27, 2017 · The account of the 42 young men torn apart by two she-bears is an important—albeit tragic—part of God’s agenda to teach the Israelites to heed Elisha. 13:20-25; cf. Elisha Performs Miracles - Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren. Their argument is pretty straightforward: If Elisha would cause bears to attack children – 42 children! – for insulting his hairless head, how can we regard him as a good person? Jan 25, 2026 · Why did the Prophet Elisha curse the “youths” for making fun of his baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24)? Is making fun of a man’s baldness a good enough reason to be mauled by a bear? Critics of the Bible often refer to this story, pointing to it as a reason to dismiss the Bible as a holy book. King Jehoram One of the notable kings this prophet interacted with was Jehoram, the king of Israel. Jul 12, 2022 · Elisha, and the 2 Bears Who was this prophet and wonder-worker of Lord God. It is really a story about the dangers of using our intelligence to attack the Bible, and - through the Bible - the Lord. Jan 25, 2026 · Why did the Prophet Elisha curse the “youths” for making fun of his baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24)? Is making fun of a man’s baldness a good enough reason to be mauled by a bear? Uncover the reasons why did two bears stop the bullying of Elisha amid spiritual challenges and social defiance. Nov 12, 2010 · Why would God allow two bears to maul little children for insulting Elisha? As Dr. The King James version of the bible tells the story in 2 Kings 2:23 - 2:25 : Elisha and the Bears |Animated Bible Movie #biblestoryanimation #animatedbiblestories #biblestories Discover the story of Elisha and the bears, a powerful lesson in respect and understanding When 42 children were torn apart by bears for mocking Elisha's baldness 2 Kings 2:23-24, KJV: "And he went up from thence unto Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. Even in death, God’s power was still working! This miracle proves that resurrection power belongs to God—and that same Spirit is still alive today. 3 Though Elisha was sad because Elijah was gone, he prayed God would give him power like Elijah's. After God took the prophet Elijah up to heaven in a chariot, Elisha became Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative found in 2 Kings 2:23-25, the prophet Elisha encounters a group of young men in Bethel who mock him. Lev. It's one of the Bible's strange stories —but instructive. Elisha turned around, glared at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Dec 7, 2022 · Elisha’s ministry often brought him into contact with the kings of Israel and Judah. com/FEbd50xb ︎Email us at: SuperbookShow@cbn. By telling Elisha to “go away” or “go up,” the wording is not simply telling him to leave their presence but to leave this world! If more than forty members of a youth gang surrounded you and told you they thought you should not be in this world, I think you’d take that as a definite threat to your safety and life. ai, prophet Elisha, biblical judgment, Christian faith videos. His mantle (and his work) was taken over by Feb 27, 2024 · Also, they weren’t just rejecting Elisha, making fun of his baldness, they were rejecting and ridiculing God. His name is commonly transliterated into English as Elisha via Hebrew, Eliseus via Greek and Latin, Ełishe (Yeghishe/Elisha) via Armenian or Alyasa via Arabic, and Elyasa or Elyesa via Turkish. Elisha then becomes the center of attention, and for about eight chapters we follow him through a series of miracles. . 2. In cursing them he took them, so to speak, out from under the umbrella of God’s blessing upon Israel. Their argument is pretty straightforward: If Elisha would cause bears to attack children – 42 children! – for insulting his hairless head, how can we regard him as a good person? Wasn’t Elisha being cruel when he sent those bears against those children who were teasing him about being bald in 2 Kings 2:23-25? And why was it precisely two she-bears? Fr. Many times, these stories have cultural context that was easily understood in that time but is strange to us thousands of years later. In conclusion, this moment was orchestrated by the Lord to ensure the people of Israel understood that Elisha would have the same power God gave to Elijah in his day. But let's begin by looking at the background to the story 1 Elisha Takes Up Elijah’s Mantle This chapter tells of Elijah being taken up into heaven. – 1 & 2 Kings Elisha and the Two Bears (2 Kings 2:23-25) What does the Bible teach? Introduction I have heard the account of Elisha cursing the children of Bethel and the bears killing them preached several times. Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his miracles and role as a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. John Whiteford talks about the incident near Bethel, when St. Elijah, Elisha, and the “sons of the prophets” (the prototype for disciples; I will use the term “disciples” for this group) had all been told that this was Elijah’s last day on Aug 8, 2018 · Discover faithful answers and gospel-centered insights from FAIR. The narrative tells a different story. This was said in The Biblical This is not a story about the prophet Elisha siccing bears on some bratty kids. Feb 24, 2024 · The Bible is a rich source of spiritual accounts, moral teachings, and historical events. During that time, while King Ahab was reigning as King of Israel, Elijah called Elisha to be his attendant – see 1st Kings 19:19-21. And, as suggested above, we could see this as God’s punishment upon those who had turned from His worship to the service of idols. Cry aloud, for Baal is a god. Cook also delves into biblical references to bears, showcasing how the Bible writers understood and used animal behavior to convey spiritual Elisha’s Bones Brought a Man Back to Life?! A dead man was thrown into Elisha’s tomb… and the moment his body touched the prophet’s bones, he came back to life (2 Kings 13:21). Introduction: The Problem of 2 Kings 2:19-25 The story of Elisha and the bears he unleashes on the mocking children from Bethel is one that has long unsettled interpreters. His mantle (and his work) was taken over by Elisha Is Jeered - From there Elisha went up to Bethel. Jun 11, 2020 · Why did God send bears to maul 42 boys for calling Elisha a baldy bald head? How can God be good if he allows such violence? Christian, Bible. It challenges the coherence of divine justice and forces a reckoning with the moral framework of the Bible. Then two bears came out of the forest and attacked the boys. After which he continues on his journey. Elisha cursed the gang of disrespectful young men. Still, the story, which is only a couple verses can be hard to read. He asked the Lord to cause bad things to happen to them. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. hpinu nyd kylbyy zbxezj ltmf bora kautwm nnv erenq mefw