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Elisha and the Children: The Question of Accepting Prophetic Succession

TitleElisha and the Children: The Question of Accepting Prophetic Succession
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsWoods, Fred E.
JournalBYU Studies Quarterly
Volume32
Issue3
Pagination47-58
KeywordsChiasmus; Elisha (Prophet); Korah (Levite); Language - Hebrew; Literary Structure
Abstract

The account of Elisha’s curse of the forty-two young people and their seemingly unjustified fatal end when attacked by two bears has puzzled Latter-day Saints as well as other students of the Bible. An enlightening solution to this unusual incident, as I argue here, also leads to a clearer view of an important underlying issue: the acceptance or nonacceptance of divinely approved succession among prophetic personalities, in this case Elisha’s succession to the prophet Elijah.

URLhttps://byustudies.byu.edu/article/elisha-and-the-children-the-question-of-accepting-prophetic-succession/

Scripture Reference

2 Kings 2:23-24