RT Article
T1 Cultic Prophecy and Levitical Inheritance in the Elijah-Elisha Cycle
JF Journal for the study of the Old Testament
VO 41
IS 1
SP 45
OP 60
A1 Noble, John T. 1976-
LA English
PB Sage
YR 2016
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1556357168
AB This article seeks to elucidate the nature and significance of the enigmatic mantle transfer rite involving Elijah and Elisha in 1 Kgs 19.19. When Yahweh instructs Elijah to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his place, Yahweh has a type of symbolic adoption in mind to take Elisha as an heir through the rite of mantle transfer. This article argues that Elijah's mantle is a marker of his identity, and that the conferment of his clothing is a means of claiming Elisha, who subsequently takes leave of his natural father (v. 20). Elijah and Elisha function in the northern kingdom as cultic prophets, performing duties typical of both prophet and priest, not unlike Samuel. This double role gives context for an analogy—or possible typology—for Elisha's inheritance with that of the Levitical priest in Deuteronomy.
K1 1 Kgs 19.19–21
K1 Samuel
K1 Levites
K1 Inheritance
K1 Elisha
K1 Elijah
K1 double portion
K1 Cultic prophecy
DO 10.1177/0309089216628410