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Elisha: The
Prophet, The
Legend, The
History
A chronicle told by the Bible, validated by archaeology.
By Christopher Eames • July 21, 20 17
https://watchjerusalem.co.il/74-elisha-the-prophet-the-legend-the-history 1/19

Tel Dothan as it stands today in northern Samaria
[Wikimedia Commons]
   
iblical prophets are di cult to demonstrate
B through archaeology. They usually did not hold
governmental o ces, thus they didn’t have much
of the regalia, stamps and correspondence preserved as
kings and princes did. They did not build cities. More
o en than not, the ruling classes hated them—the
authorities were more willing to be rid of them and their
evidence. And many prophets were simply of humble
occupations. Yet their preserved biblical texts live on as
some of the most precious writings that we have.
Archaeology has veri ed many of the gures they
describe, along with their accurate regional assessments
(e.g. the Prophet Jeremiah). But on a personal level,
they are unsurprisingly more di cult to identify
archaeologically.
Such is the case with the Prophet Elisha. He was a
farmer before he was called to follow the Prophet El ah.
While we don’t have a speci c book of the Bible wri en
by him, we do have a detailed account of him in the book
of Kings. Yet the details of his life, as described in the
Bible, have been remarkably lled out by archaeological
discovery. An artifact has even been found that quite
possibly bears his name.
Science is uncovering not only mere snippets of the
Bible, but entire stories. As with our previous articles on
King Hezekiah and the Prophet Jeremiah, we now
examine in-depth the Prophet Elisha.
An Excavation, a Name
Excavations at the large biblical city of Tel Rehov had
taken place for 16 years. The site’s director, Amihai
Mazar, had successfully led his team in making a
number of signi cant discoveries. In 2013, there was
another particularly special nd.
A shard of po ery was discovered with ancient text

wri en on it in red ink. The shard, along with the layer
within which it was found, was dated to the middle of
the ninth century B.C. The ancient Hebrew script was


damaged, yet still could be translated with near
certainty as the name “Elisha.”
Illustration of po ery with original script enhanced; beneath,
Elisha’s name as it would have been spelled in the ancient
Hebrew script
[Watch Jerusalem]
The text is interesting for a number of reasons. Not only
does the name parallel the biblical prophet, it also dates
to the same time period that he lived. And it was found
in an area where he spent much of his time—he was
born only seven miles away in a town named Abel-
Meholah. The Bible states that Elisha spent so much
time around this area, that a couple living in nearby
Shunem were inspired to make a chamber in their
house for him (2 Kings 4).
Adding to the evidence, an inscription bearing the name
“Nimshi” was also found (as well as another Nimshi
inscription ve miles away). Elisha told one of his
disciples to go and ordain as king Jehu, grandson of
Nimshi. So this name had signi cance to Elisha’s record.
Then there is simply the fact that, based on current
knowledge, the name “Elisha” was quite rare in ancient
Israel.
The house itself, within
which the name was found,
was quite interesting. It had
a slightly unusual design for

normal houses of the
period. It was divided into
two wings, with two


The last three le ers can be
entrances from the street read as “Nimshi”
(as opposed to one entrance [The Beth-Valley Archaeological Project,

Hebrew University of Jerusalem]
and one central room). It
was thus a more publicly
accessible building. Furthermore, large vessels were
found, larger than would be expected for family use.
Perhaps this building served as a more communal area
—maybe as a gathering place for Elisha’s disciples.
Of course, we don’t yet have enough proof to say outright
that this inked “Elisha” referred to the prophet.
However, the evidence is compelling. Hopefully further
discoveries will help clarify this remarkable inscription.
(A further point of interest: Nearby at Tel Rehov, the
oldest identi ed beehives in the Near East were found.
They date from the mid-10th century to early-ninth
century B.C. Thirty hives were found intact, along with
many more damaged hives. The bee species that was
“farmed” can only be found in Turkey today. They have a
much higher honey yield than Israelite bees, and were
likely imported to Rehov. Ancient records show that the
Assyrians imported bees from Turkey.)
An ancient beehive from Tel Rehov on display at the Israel
Museum
[Bukvoed/W ikimedia Commons]
Elisha’s Beginnings
As stated above, Elisha was born in Abel-Meholah and
grew up to become a farmer. The Prophet El ah at that
time had been on the run, su ering heavy persecution
from the evil Queen Jezebel, wife of Israelite King Ahab.
We must stop here to discuss another artifact.
A large royal seal stamp, covered with foreign and pagan

motifs, has come to light from a private collection (now
kept at the Israel Museum). The seal bears the name
“Jezebel”(albeit missing the rst le er and “belonging


to” a ribution, which appears to have been part of the
broken section). While this seal stamp was not
discovered through scienti c excavation, there is no
good reason to doubt its authenticity. The royal seal,
displaying typical female a ributes, motifs and name,
almost certainly belonged to this infamous wife of King
Ahab.
Although El ah was on the
run from this powerful
woman, Jezebel herself was
about to face a gruesome
death. First, though, God
comforted El ah, speaking
to him from Mount Sinai (1
Kings 19). He was to nd
and anoint Elisha of Abel-
meholah to take his place as
prophet. And he was
The Jezebel seal comforted to know that
[Israel Museum, Jerusalem]

7,000 Israelites had
remained faithful to the
true God, rather than
following a er Jezebel’s paganism.
El ah found Elisha plowing a eld behind a long line of
oxen. He symbolically threw his mantle (robe) over
Elisha, who recognized right away what was taking
place. Expecting to depart on his new calling
immediately, Elisha asked if he might take time to say
goodbye rst to his mother and father. El ah, taken
aback by Elisha’s exuberance, was not intending to so
hastily depart with the man. He allowed him to return to
his family, where Elisha prepared a massive feast of
several oxen. A er which, he followed a er El ah (1
Kings 19:19-21).
Israel’s Political Situation
There is a break in the biblical story before Elisha
reappears. During this time, the northern kingdom of
Israel was engaged in successful ba les against Ben-
Hadad of Syria. King Ahab took Ben-Hadad captive, yet
absurdly let him go free—an act prophesied to come

back to bite Israel.
Later, there was the


incident at Naboth’s
vineyard, where Ahab was
denied the illegal purchase
of Naboth’s inherited land.
Ahab’s wife Jezebel had
Naboth brought before a
kangaroo court on a false
charge of blasphemy, and
Naboth was stoned. Ahab

Naboth’s winery? Here is a
moved in to possess his treading oor with narrow
newly acquired vineyard— drain into a vat
[Jezreel Expedition]
there the Prophet El ah
met him and cursed his
family to an ignominious
end for his bloody and unmerciful rule. Interestingly,
evidence of an ancient vineyard at Jezreel, where
Naboth’s biblical vineyard was located, has been found.
A wine-stomping vat and runo collection point, along
with various basins, have been found. These remains are
di cult to date, yet seem to t well into the time period
up to and including when Naboth would have been on
the scene. A er the incident with Naboth, Ahab was
killed in a ba le with the Syrians, and his son Ahaziah
took over the throne of Israel.
Before we leave King Ahab, we must make mention of
the fact that he, too, has been con rmed by archaeology.
The Kurkh Monolith—a stone monument belonging to
King Shalmaneser III of Assyria—describes a ba le
during the Israelite king’s reign, referring to him as
“Ahab the Israelite.”
A er reigning only two
years, wicked King Ahaziah
fell through a raised
platform and gravely
injured himself. While
seeking healing from the
pagan Philistine god
Baalzebub, Ahaziah sent
several groups of men to
The Kurkh Monolith of

forcibly bring El ah to him.
Shalmaneser III which

They failed, and Ahaziah’s
mentions “Ahab the Israelite”
[British Museum]
102 men were killed by re
from heaven. El ah
prophesied that Ahaziah would never leave his bed
again (2 Kings 1). Shortly a erwards, the king died, and


his son Jehoram reigned in his place (easily confused
with the king of Judah at the time, who was also named
Jehoram).
The Syrian leader Ben-Hadad, as well as King Jehoram’s
campaign against a Moabite ruler, will feature further
down in the story (as well as in archaeological
discoveries). First, though, the Prophet Elisha
reappears.
The Whirlwind
It was common knowledge among the “sons of the
prophets” that the Prophet El ah would not be around
much longer. There were at least two speci c “schools”
of the prophets described here, to which El ah made his
rounds (Bethel and Jericho). While advising his assistant
Elisha to let him proceed in his journeys alone, Elisha
refused. The two men went to Jordan, followed by 50
curious disciples. The waters of the Jordan miraculously
parted for El ah and Elisha.
Knowing he would soon depart, El ah asked if Elisha
had any nal requests. Elisha responded by asking for a
double the portion of the Holy Spirit that El ah had.
This wasn’t something El ah had the power to give, but
he said that if Elisha saw El ah depart, then that would
be the sign that his request had been granted.
As the men continued to walk and talk, a aming chariot
suddenly appeared and swept El ah up, carting him into
the heavens by a whirlwind.
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“My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the

horsemen thereof!” cried Elisha, who had grown
incredibly close to the prophet (2 Kings 2:12). El
while not dead (he later had correspondence with one of

ah,

Israel’s kings), was now gone, possibly in a similar
manner to what happened with Enoch (Genesis 5:24;
Hebrews 11:5). Elisha picked up El ah’s fallen mantle and
returned the way he had come, the waters of the Jordan
River miraculously parting once again for him.
Now began a new phase in God’s Work, this time under
the Prophet Elisha.
Miracles and Mesha
2 Kings 2 continues by describing a miracle done almost
immediately through Elisha. A city in the region of
Jericho, where Elisha was staying, had problems with a
bad water source, making the land barren. The ba ed
locals looked on as Elisha poured a container of salt into
the spring. “Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these
waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or
barren land. So the waters were healed unto this day,
according to the saying of Elisha which he spake” (2
Kings 2:21-22). Jericho today, while categorized as a hot
desert climate, still receives abundant quantities of
spring water, which it relies on heavily for fertility.
Jericho continues to this day be a green oasis in the midst of the
rift valley desert landscape
[By DYKT Mohigan/Creative Commons]
Elisha then made his way back toward the other school
of the prophets at Bethel. Along his journey, he was met
by a mob of dozens of youths, who began slinging insults

at him. Elisha cursed the adolescents, and immediately
two bears emerged, a acking 42 of them (verses 23-24).
Some may wonder how it was possible for bears to be


roaming about Israel. Actually, bears still live in the
wider Levant region to this day (although sightings are
incredibly rare, due to poaching and habitat loss; they
are believed to be extinct in Israel). Known as the Syrian
brown bear, they are the smallest species of the brown
bear family, yet can still weigh up to 550 pounds (250
kilograms).
At this point in time, Israel’s
King Jehoram was
wondering what to do about
a rebellious king of Moab,
named Mesha. King Mesha
had paid tribute to Israel,
yet a er the death of Ahab,
The Syrian Brown Bear here

had rebelled (2 Kings 1:1;
pictured at the Biblical Zoo in

3:4-5). An amazing Moabite
Jerusalem
discovery parallels this
[Creative Commons]
story—from King Mesha’s
point of view. A black
victory stone, known as the Mesha Stele, dating to this
time period discussed in 2 Kings, was discovered. It
celebrates a rebellion against the Israelites. It parallels
several biblical details, including the mention of
Moabite King Mesha, Israelite King Omri, the Moabite
god Chemosh, and the God of Israel YHWH. It also
con rms the tribe of Gad living in Ataroth, which had
been previously occupied by the Moabites (as paralleled
in Numbers 32:34 and Joshua 13). For more detail on this
remarkable artifact, see here and here.
King Jehoram, himself an evil ruler, decided to punish
the Moabites for this rebellion. He gained the help of
King Jehoshaphat of Judah as well as the king of Edom.
A er a full week of marching, the massive army ran out
of water. Fearing destruction at the hands of the
Moabites, King Jehoshaphat was urgent to nd a true
prophet to speak to God for them. Elisha was found
among the men, and brought forward. He stated that the
mission would have been doomed were it not for the
presence of the righteous King Jehoshaphat. He
instructed the men to dig holes in the ground, and
prophesied that the Moabites would be defeated.
By the following morning,

the holes were full of life-
saving water. To the
Moabite army o in the


distance, however, it
appeared to be blood. Circa 1891 photograph of the
9th century BC Mesha Stele

Thinking that the armies of
[Public Domain]
Israel, Judah and Edom had
turned on one another, the
Moabites rushed into the enemy camp. They were
surprised to nd the fully intact alliance present and
ready to ght. The Moabites were u erly defeated.
Fleeing into a city, King Mesha took his eldest son and
commi ed a horrible act:
“Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned
in his stead, and o ered him for a burnt o ering
upon the wall. And there was great indignation
against Israel: and they departed from him, and
returned to their own land” (2 Kings 3:27).
Elisha’s Travels and Miracles
A er the Moab episode, Elisha continued in his travels
around Israel. He came upon the wife of one of the sons
of the prophets, whose husband had died. This woman
was living in abject poverty with her two sons, who
themselves were about to be taken by her creditor. All
she had was a small jug of olive oil. Elisha advised the
woman to collect as many containers as possible and
begin pouring the oil into them. Miraculously, every
container was lled. The woman was able to sell the oil
and pay o her debt (2 Kings 4:1-7).
Another woman, living in Shunem, noticed the prophet
frequently passing to and fro through the area.
Recognizing him as a man of God, she and her husband
prepared for him a small room to stay in and rest
between journeys. In thanks for what this older,
childless woman had done, Elisha prophesied that she
and her husband would soon have a child. A er many
years had passed, their growing child was outside
working in the heat with his father when he began to
feel ill. A er being carried inside, the boy died in his
mother’s arms. She rushed to nd Elisha, and brought
him to her house, where he prayed and began a
resuscitation routine. Promptly, the boy was resurrected

back to life (verses 8-37).
The next miracle described was performed in Gilgal,


where the sons of the prophets were preparing a meal.
Unfortunately, one of the group unwi ingly collected a
poisonous item which was shredded into the soup.
Elisha threw some meal into the pot, and the poison was
immediately removed (verses 38-41). Another man
brought a modest quantity of bread and corn, which
Elisha commanded to be distributed to the 100 in
a endance. Miraculously, there was enough to go
around, with le overs to spare (verses 42-44).
The next miracle involved the captain of the Syrian
army, Naaman. Naaman had contracted leprosy. His
wife’s servant, a young Israelite girl, recommended that
he go to see the prophet. Naaman went to meet Elisha,
who sent his servant Gehazi to instruct him to wash
seven times in the Jordan River. A er initially refusing
to comply with the unusual command, Naaman washed
in the river, and was surprised to nd that his leprosy
was immediately healed (2 Kings 5).
At another time, Elisha’s students requested permission
to build a new lodging place. While cu ing down trees
for the structure, an ax head ew o the handle and into
the Jordan River. This was particularly upse ing since it
was a borrowed tool and probably quite expensive.
Elisha threw a branch into the water, and to the
amazement of the students, the iron ax head began to
oat (2 Kings 6:1-7).
War With Syria
Around 850 B.C., the king of Syria began a empting to
stage a acks against Israel. But the Israelites were
always aware of his plans every time he secretly sent out
his troops. The king was certain that one of his men was
conspiring with the enemy—until they told him that the
Prophet Elisha was prophesying to the Israelite king of
where Syria was about to a ack. The king then sent a
large Syrian army to the Israelite city of Dothan to arrest
the prophet.
Tel Dothan as it stands today in northern Samaria
[Wikimedia Commons]
One morning, one of Elisha’s servants noticed the
massive army circling the city. He fearfully cried out to
his master. Elisha replied, “Fear not: for they that be
with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings
6:16). He prayed that his servant would have the ability
to see the spirit realm around him—and his servant’s
eyes widened as he saw legions of ery angelic chariots
surrounding them in their defense.
Elisha prayed that God would blind the Syrians. A er He
did, the prophet lead the army into Samaria before the
king of Israel. Once in Samaria, the Syrians’ eyes were
opened and they realized that they had become
captives. Elisha counseled the Israelite king to prepare
provisions for the men and to allow them passage back
into Syria. These bands never returned to Israel.
Syrian King Ben-Hadad later gathered another group of
men and besieged Samaria. The resulting famine was so
great that animal manure was sold at a high price for
food and people even resorted to child-cannibalism
(verses 24-29). Israel was paying a dear price for Ahab’s
sin in le ing the evil Ben-Hadad go free during their
earlier ba les.
This siege, however, would not defeat Israel. Elisha
prophesied that food was about to become so plenteous
in Israel that it would be sold for next to nothing. The
following day, it was discovered that the Syrians had ed
their tents, imagining they heard the approach of
Egyptian and Hi ite armies. The rich abundance of food
they le behind was snatched up by the starving
Israelites.
Syria’s King Ben-Hadad has

been a ested to by
archaeology. He is
mentioned on the Melqart


Stele. Additionally, a
number of Syrian kings
bore the name Ben-Hadad
(Bar-Hadad, in the native
Aramean language). The
name signi es “Son of
Hadad”—Hadad being a
pagan deity.
A er the siege, Ben-Hadad
Request proof of the Bible for

fell ill. Word came to the
free
king that Elisha was in
Damascus. He sent his
assistant Hazael to meet
him and ask if he would recover. Hazael met with Elisha,
bringing 40 camels’ worth of goods as a present. Elisha
informed him that Ben-Hadad would recover, but that
he would also soon die. Hazael was bewildered, as Elisha
began to weep.
And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he
answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do
unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt
thou set on re, and their young men wilt thou slay
with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip
up their women with child (2 Kings 8:12).
Elisha informed Hazael that he would become the new
king of Syria. Hazael returned to his master, and the
following day smothered him, a er which he installed
himself on the throne.
Hazael likewise has been veri ed through archaeology.
He is referred to in several inscriptions. Shalmaneser
III’s inscriptions refer to him as “Hazael of Damascus.”
The eighth-century B.C. Zakkur Stele refers to him, as
do various ivories and horse riding equipment.
Anointing of Jehu, Fall of Ahab’s Dynasty
Hazael sent his forces to Ramoth-gilead to ba le Israel’s
King Jehoram (who had participated in the victory
against Moabite King Mesha). Rushing to Jehoram’s aid
was Judah’s King Ahaziah. These two kings made a
united stand against the Syrian army—one that would

spell their doom. This ill-fated ba le, mentioned in 2
Kings 8:28-2 Kings 9:28, is also documented on an
artifact known as the Tel Dan Stele. This is a damaged


victory stone celebrating the triumphs of the Syrian
king; speci cally, in this ba le. The broken inscription
reads, in part:
And I killed two [power]ful kin[gs], who harnessed
two thou[sand cha]riots and two thousand
horsemen. [I killed Jeho]ram son of [Ahab] king of
Israel, and I killed [Ahaz]yahu son of [Joram kin]g of
the House of David. And I set …
Kings Jehoram and Azariah
were killed during, or soon
a er, this ba le. Yet the
circumstances of their
deaths were not as simple
as the boastful Syrian king
made out on his inscription.
Tel Dan Stele
[By ‫ יע ל י‬/Creative Commons] God had cursed the family
of Ahab for their evil,
oppressive legacy, and a
new king was to be anointed to bring justice to Israel.
Jehoram had been wounded in the ba le against Hazael,
and had returned to Jezreel to recover. King Ahaziah
joined him there. At this point, Elisha sent one of the
sons of the prophets to the ba le eld at Ramoth-gilead
to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi, as
king. As described at the top of this piece, “Nimshi”
inscriptions were found not far from the “Elisha”
inscription.
Elisha’s student anointed Jehu as king, and
communicated to him the task of wiping out Ahab’s
family to avenge the blood of the righteous who had
been murdered. Jehu’s men immediately put their full
support before the new king, who le immediately for
Jezreel. There, he met and killed the recovering King
Jehoram, along with Judah’s King Ahaziah (also a
relative of Ahab). Jehoram’s body was thrown into
Naboth’s eld. Jehu then found Jezebel, and had her
thrown out of a window, where she was trampled over.
Just as El ah had prophesied, dogs devoured her
ba ered body, leaving behind only the skull, hands and
feet. Jehu then set about dispatching with the other

members of Ahab’s family.
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King Jehu is a ested to archaeologically. He is
mentioned on an inscription tablet on one of the walls of
Assur (dating to Shalmaneser III’s time) as “Jehu, son
[successor] of Omri.” He is also mentioned in the same
manner on the Kurba’il Statue. Another famous artifact
describing Jehu is the Black Obelisk, commemorating
the triumphs of Shalmaneser III. Along with a possible
depiction of King Jehu kneeling, the inscription details
the tribute o ered by King Jehu.
Possible depiction of Jehu King of Israel giving tribute to King
Shalmaneser III
[Steven G. Johnson/CC]
Jehu also began a massive purge in Israel of idolatry.
Pagan priests were slaughtered and items of worship
were smashed. Among the destruction practices was
something rather unusual:
And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake

down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house
unto this day. (2 Kings 10:27)


Jehu installed a toilet in the house of Baal worship. This
practice was backed by archaeology for the rst time
only last year. A toilet seat was found installed in a
desecrated pagan room at Tel Lachish. While the
Lachish destruction and installation dates to a later
period (around the time of King Hezekiah’s reforms), the
discovery certainly shows a precedent for this symbolic
act.
King Jehu made a fantastic start in his leadership of
Israel. Yet before long, he too joined the ranks of
Israelite kings before (and a er) him in turning to
idolatry. As a result, King Hazael of Syria succeeded in
wreaking havoc across Israel. A er Jehu’s death, his son
Jehoahaz reigned in his stead.
Jehoahaz, Joash and Elisha’s Death
King Jehoahaz continued in the Israelite royal tradition
of disobedience to God. As a result, he su ered harshly
at the hands of the Syrian King Hazael, and Hazael’s son,
Ben-Hadad. This second Ben-Hadad has also been
a ested to archaeologically. Like his father, he is
mentioned on the Zakkur Stele. And there is also
another possible reference to him on an Assyrian
inscription.
Israel’s pummeling was too
much for Jehoahaz.
Strangely, he called out to
God for help, and his
request was answered.
Relief was given to the
oppressed Israelites. By this
point, all Jehoahaz had le
were 50 horsemen, 10
chariots and 10,000 foot
soldiers (2 Kings 13:1-9).
Jehoahaz died, and his son
Joash reigned in his place. The Zakkur Stele:”I am
Like all the other rulers of Zakkur, king of Hamath and
Luash . . . Bar-Hadad, son of

the northern kingdom of
Hazael, king of Aram, united

Israel, he was also evil. He is
also a ested to in against me seventeen kings . .

.all these kings laid siege to
archaeology. The Stele of

Hazrach…”
Adad-Nirari III mentions
[Louvre Museum/Rama/W ikimedia
him as “Joash of Samaria” Commons]
and describes him as
having paid tribute to the
Assyrian king.
Despite Joash’s rebellion against God, there was at least
one bright spot in his rule. At this point in time—
around 800 B.C.—the elderly Elisha had fallen ill and
was dying. Joash visited him, and recited to him the very
words that Elisha had used when the Prophet El ah was
taken up in the whirlwind: “O my father, my father, the
chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof ” (2 Kings
13:14). Elisha instructed the king to take a bow and shoot
an arrow out the window. Elisha declared that this
arrow symbolized God’s deliverance from Syrian
oppression. Elisha then told Joash to smite the ground
with a handful of arrows. This he did three times. Elisha
told the king that this would symbolize the number of
times Joash would smite the Syrians (verses 15-20, 25).
A er this, the Prophet Elisha died. Thus ended the work
of one of the truly great men of God to walk the Earth.
But one more miracle would be performed through
Elisha.
Sometime within a year of his death, Moabite bands
began invading Israel. At the same time, a group of
Israelites were busy burying a dead body. Noticing a
marauding band in the distance, the Israelites hastily
ung the corpse into the sepulcher, and ran for their
lives. The dead body came to rest on the interred bones
of Elisha. Immediately, the dead man lurched back to life
and stood up. Imagine what must have been running
through his mind as he came to!
Elisha: The Prophet, the Legend, the History
Thus concludes the story of
the Prophet Elisha. But it is
no mere story. It is history.
The names of at least 11
biblical gures who
featured in and around
Elisha’s life have been
discovered. (Of those 11,

three have yet to be
con rmed with absolute
certainty.) These gures


include the Israelite kings
Omri, Ahab, Jehu and
Joash; the Syrian enemies
Ben-Hadad, Hazael and

Request proof of the Bible for
Ben-Hadad (II), along with free
the Moabite enemy Mesha.
Jezebel’s name was found
on the antiquities market, yet it still warrants discovery
in an archaeological context to say with complete
authority. Nimshi and, of course, Elisha’s names have
been revealed through archaeology, with convincing
evidence—yet still require further corroboration to
remove any doubt that these inscriptions refer to other
individuals of the same name.
Besides the names, though, the account surrounding
Elisha’s life accurately portrays the regional diplomacy,
ba les and locations of the time period. This isn’t
unusual, as we have been covering in this series. For
many years now, archaeology has not been con rming
just snippets of the Bible, but lling out entire stories.
Such is the case with the humble farmer-become-
prophet and father of Israel—the “chariot of Israel, and
the horsemen thereof ”—Elisha.
Related
Hezekiah: a Story, a King, a Legacy
Jeremiah: The True Story of the “Weeping Prophet”
Uzziah: Uncovering a King of Judah
Nehemiah: A Man and a Momentous Wall
David: The True Story of History’s Most Legendary King
Offers
The Proof of the Bible
Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered, Exhibit
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9/4/2019 Elisha: The Prophet, The Legend, The History - WatchJerusalem

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A chronicle told by the Bible, validated by archaeology.

By Christopher Eames • July 21, 20 17

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B through archaeology. They usually did not hold

governmental o ces, thus they didn’t have much

of the regalia, stamps and correspondence preserved as

o en than not, the ruling classes hated them—the

authorities were more willing to be rid of them and their

evidence. And many prophets were simply of humble

occupations. Yet their preserved biblical texts live on as

some of the most precious writings that we have.

Archaeology has veri ed many of the gures they

describe, along with their accurate regional assessments

(e.g. the Prophet Jeremiah). But on a personal level,

they are unsurprisingly more di cult to identify

Such is the case with the Prophet Elisha. He was a

farmer before he was called to follow the Prophet El ah.

While we don’t have a speci c book of the Bible wri en

by him, we do have a detailed account of him in the book

of Kings. Yet the details of his life, as described in the

Bible, have been remarkably lled out by archaeological

discovery. An artifact has even been found that quite

possibly bears his name.

Science is uncovering not only mere snippets of the

Bible, but entire stories. As with our previous articles on

King Hezekiah and the Prophet Jeremiah, we now

examine in-depth the Prophet Elisha.

Excavations at the large biblical city of Tel Rehov had

taken place for 16 years. The site’s director, Amihai

Mazar, had successfully led his team in making a

number of signi cant discoveries. In 2013, there was

another particularly special nd.

A shard of po ery was discovered with ancient text

within which it was found, was dated to the middle of

the ninth century B.C. The ancient Hebrew script was

certainty as the name “Elisha.”

Illustration of po ery with original script enhanced; beneath,

Elisha’s name as it would have been spelled in the ancient

The text is interesting for a number of reasons. Not only

does the name parallel the biblical prophet, it also dates

to the same time period that he lived. And it was found

in an area where he spent much of his time—he was

born only seven miles away in a town named Abel-

Meholah. The Bible states that Elisha spent so much

time around this area, that a couple living in nearby

Shunem were inspired to make a chamber in their

house for him (2 Kings 4).

Adding to the evidence, an inscription bearing the name

“Nimshi” was also found (as well as another Nimshi

inscription ve miles away). Elisha told one of his

disciples to go and ordain as king Jehu, grandson of

Nimshi. So this name had signi cance to Elisha’s record.

Then there is simply the fact that, based on current

knowledge, the name “Elisha” was quite rare in ancient

The house itself, within

which the name was found,

was quite interesting. It had

a slightly unusual design for

period. It was divided into

two wings, with two

entrances from the street read as “Nimshi”