Teks -- 2 Kings 2:1 (NET)

Elijah Makes a Swift Departure

2:1 Just before the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ki 2:1 - About to take, &c.

_It is supposed, (tho' not expressly revealed) that Elijah flourished about twenty years, before he was translated, body and soul, to heaven, only undergoing such a change, as was necessary to qualify him for being an inhabitant in that world of Spirits. By translating him, God gave in that dark and degenerate age, a very sensible proof of another life, together with a type of the ascension of Christ, and the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

JFB: 2Ki 2:1-7 - when the Lord would take up Elijah

A revelation of this event had been made to the prophet; but, unknown to him, it had also been revealed to his disciples, and to Elisha in particular, who kept constantly beside him.

JFB: 2Ki 2:1-7 - Gilgal

This Gilgal (Jiljil) was near Ebal and Gerizim; a school of the prophets was established there. At Beth-el there was also a school of the prophets, which Elijah had founded, notwithstanding that place was the headquarters of the calf-worship; and at Jericho there was another [2Ki 2:4]. In travelling to these places, which he had done through the impulse of the Spirit (2Ki 2:2, 2Ki 2:4-6), Elijah wished to pay a farewell visit to these several institutions, which lay on his way to the place of ascension and, at the same time, from a feeling of humility and modesty, to be in solitude, where there would be no eye-witnesses of his glorification. All his efforts, however, to prevail on his attendant to remain behind, were fruitless. Elisha knew that the time was at hand, and at every place the sons of the prophets spoke to him of the approaching removal of his master. Their last stage was at the Jordan. They were followed at a distance by fifty scholars of the prophets, from Jericho, who were desirous, in honor of the great occasion, to witness the miraculous translation of the prophet. The revelation of this striking event to so many was a necessary part of the dispensation; for it was designed to be under the law, like that of Enoch in the patriarchal age, a visible proof of another state, and a type of the resurrection of Christ.

Clarke: 2Ki 2:1 - When the Lord would take up Elijah

When the Lord would take up Elijah - It appears that God had revealed this intended translation, not only to Elijah himself, but also to Elisha, and to the schools of the prophets, both at Beth-el and Jericho, so that they were all expecting this solemn event.

TSK: 2Ki 2:1 - take up // by a whirlwind // Elisha // Gilgal

take up : Gen 5:24; 1Ki 19:4; Luk 9:51; Act 1:9; Heb 11:5; Rev 11:12

by a whirlwind : 1Ki 18:12, 1Ki 19:11; Job 38:1

Elisha : 1Ki 19:16-21

Gilgal : Jos 4:19, Jos 5:9

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Haydock: 2Ki 2:1 - Send

Send. He acquiesces, lest they might think that he was afraid of losing his superiority. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 2:1 - Heaven

Heaven. By heaven here is meant, the air, the lowest of the heavenly regions, (Challoner) through which he was carried by the ministry of angels, who directed the storm, (Haydock ) to the place designed for him. ---

It is generally supposed to be Paradise, (Calmet) whither Henoch had been translated. (Haydock) ---

They are still living, (Calmet) and must come again, to invite all to repent. After which they will die martyrs, in the persecution of Antichrist. (Haydock) ---

See St. Augustine, de Gen. ad lit. ix. 6., and Apocalypse xi. (Worthington) ---

Ecclesiasticus xlviii. 10. (Menochius) ---

They are a proof of a future resurrection. (Calmet) ---

To decide where the paradise which they inhabit, (Haydock) is situated. would be rash. (St. Chrysostom, hom. 21. in Gen. &c.) Some suppose it is still in some unknown region of the earth: others place it above the sky, (Menochius) or in the bosom of Abraham. (Calmet) ---

The Jews (following Munster) assert that Elias penetrated the sphere of fire, where his body was consumed. (Vatable) ---

The earthly paradise is very probably no longer existing, in its ancient luxuriant state. (Haydock) ---

It may now be covered with the waters of the Persian Gulf. (Worthington)

Gill: 2Ki 2:1 - And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind // that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal

And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind,.... Thereby lifting him up from the earth, and which, as it was the purpose and will of God, Elijah had notice of, as appears by his motions to different places, under a divine direction:

that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal, where it seems they met, a place where the Israelites first pitched when they came over Jordan, and where the tabernacle was for some time, and was famous for religious services, see Jos 4:19.