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Background Information on Elisha
Elisha's story is related in the Books of Kings (Second Scroll, chapters 2–14) in the Hebrew Bible (part of the Nevi'im). According to this story, he was a prophet and a wonder-worker of the Kingdom of Israel who was active during the reigns of Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash (Joash). Elisha was the son of Shaphat, a wealthy land-owner of Abel-meholah; he became the attendant and disciple of Elijah. His name first occurs in chapter 19 of the Books of Kings in the command given to Elijah to anoint him as his successor. After learning in the cave on Mount Horeb, that Elisha, the son of Shaphat, had been selected by Yahweh as his successor in the prophetic office, Elijah set out to find him.
Background information source: Wikipedia
Hymns Recommended by Experts
This hymn begins with a reference to Elijah’s departure in a chariot of fire, when Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle also to strike the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:13-14). All the stanzas were originally cast in third person ("Anoint them") since it was originally written as an ordination hymn for clergymen; the revised text in first person ("Anoint us") now includes all God's people as ministers or servants. The text refers to various biblical offices to depict Christian ministries: prophets, priests, kings (Old Testament offices), and apostles (1 Peter 2:5-9.)
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