The Call of Elisha

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast (A)his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, (B)“Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh (C)with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

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19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat while he was plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah came over to him and threw (A)his cloak on him. 20 Then he left the oxen behind and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please (B)let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for [a]what have I done to you?” 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them, and (C)cooked their meat with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and served him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 19:20 I.e., so as to influence Elisha’s decision