Definition: And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 2:4. It's a really important passage about God’s plan and Elijah’s journey. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes Elijah’s journey to the city of Jericho as part of God’s plan to defeat it with fire. It highlights God’s unwavering commitment to his people, even when things seem difficult. Let's look at it piece by piece: “And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho.” – This is a direct message from Elijah to Elishah (often translated as “Elijah” or “Elisha”). He’s telling Elishah to stay put and be ready. He's saying he has a specific mission for him and needs Elishah’s presence. “And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” – This is the core of the verse. Elijah is reassuring Elishah that God will protect him. He's saying, "God lives, and your soul lives—I won’t let you go." This emphasizes God’s power and commitment to his followers. “So they came to Jericho.” – This is the key part. The message isn’t just about Elijah staying; it’s about why he's staying. God has chosen to deliver Jericho from its enemies, and He wants Elishah to accompany him on this journey. What does it mean in a nutshell? It means that God is actively working to defeat the evil in Jericho. Elijah is being sent to do this, and he’s trusting in God's protection to guide him. The message is one of hope – even when things seem difficult, God remains with you and will not abandon you. Important Context: This verse comes after Elijah has been warned by Moses about his impending death. It's a moment of significant faith and trust on Elijah’s part. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Give another example from the Bible?