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I Kings 19:20

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So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?”

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 20

We left Elijah at the entrance of Jezreel, still appearing publicly, and all the people's eyes upon him. In this chapter we have him again absconding, and driven into obscurity, at a time when he could ill be spared; but we are to look upon it as a punishment to Israel for the insincerity and inconstancy of their reformation. When people will not learn it is just with God to remove their teachers into corners. Now observe, I. How he was driven into banishment by the malice of Jezebel his sworn enemy (Kg1 19:1-3). II. How he was met, in his banishment, by the favour of God, his covenant-friend. 1. How God fed him (Kg1 19:4-8). 2. How he conversed with him, and manifested himself to him (Kg1 19:9, Kg1 19:11-13), heard his complaint (Kg1 19:10-14), directed him what to do (Kg1 19:15-17), and encouraged him (Kg1 19:18). III. How his hands were strengthened, at his return out of banishment, by the joining of Elisha with him (Kg1 19:19-21).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 20

עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Acts 20:37rank 4

They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.

Matthew 9:9rank 2

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

Matthew 19:27rank 2

“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

Matthew 4:22rank 2

and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Matthew 4:20rank 2

And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

Commentaries

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