The account of Elisha and the youths who mocked him, found in 2 Kings 2:23-25, is one of the Bible’s more surprising stories. In this passage, Elisha, who has recently succeeded the prophet Elijah, is mocked by a group of young people on his way to Bethel. Elisha responds with a curse, and two bears emerge from the woods, mauling forty-two of the youths. This incident raises important questions: Were they killed, hurt, or simply frightened? Did Elisha command the bears, or did God intervene? Let’s delve into the details to understand this passage more fully. The account Recap: Mockery,...
Understanding Elisha’s Curse on the Mocking Youths: Divine Justice or Coincidence?
