2 Kings 2:23

Translations

Modern

From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

Traditional

And he went up from thence unto Beth–el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

Literal

And he went up from there to Bethel, and he was going up the road, and some little youths came from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, baldhead! Go up, baldhead!”

Latin

Ascendit autem inde in Bethel: cumque ascenderet per viam, pueri parvi egressi sunt de civitate, et illudebant ei, dicentes: Ascende calve, ascende calve.

Original

Hebrew

English

From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

Notes

2 Kings 2:23

The group of boys might have been young adults. The Hebrew word used here can mean a young adult who is still learning a job. For example, Solomon asked God for wisdom because he was young and inexperienced (1 Kings 3:7). Joshua's spies in Jericho were also called by this term (Joshua 6:22–23).
Calling someone baldhead was disrespectful. The young men told Elisha to go away (literally go up), mocking his role as Elijah's successor, given by God.

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah Elisha

Events

Prophecies of Elisha

Related verses

2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Job 19:18
Even little boys scorn me; when I appear, they deride me.
Job 30:1
“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Psalm 31:18
May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.
Amos 5:5
Do not seek Bethel or go to Gilgal; do not journey to Beersheba, for Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.
Genesis 21:9
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,
Proverbs 20:11
Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Hebrews 11:36
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Isaiah 3:5
The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.
Matthew 27:40–43
…and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

Places

Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob

Glossary

Elijah Elisha Kings, Books of First and Second Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Bad Luck Baldness: Elisha Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: The Young Men of, Mock Elisha Children: Often Wicked and Rebellious Children: Wicked: Children at Beth-El Derision: The Evil Children of Beth-El Deride Elisha Elisha: Mocked by the Young Men of Beth-El Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning Making Fun of Others Making Fun of People Mocking: some Boys Mock Elisha Persecution of Elijah Scoffing: Youths at Beth-El Scorning and Mocking: Children at Bethel Stupidity Wicked Children: Children at Bethel Wicked Children: Punishment of, For: Mocking of a Prophet

2 Kings 2:23

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