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The story of the widow and her sons moves from death to life: the dead man of verse 1 is exchanged for the live on the remainderEin verse 7. The story is also a Passover: Children are saved from slavery, and they are saved by being locked into a house (cf Ex 12:22). There are apparent liturgical/templar themes as well: The word for vesselEis the same as the word for vessels of the temple (the word for jarEin v 2 is different); the vessels are brought near,Ea verb that has liturgical connotations; oil was one of the common substances of the temple rituals. There is a simple chiasm going on:
1. Husband dead, v 1
2. Tell me,Ev 2
3. Instructions, vv 3-4 (ask, go in, shut, pour out, full)
3. Obedience, vv 5-6 (shut, bring, pour out, full)
3. She told,Ev 7a
1. widow and sons live, v 7b
The widow is Israel; Elisha the man-of-God, the God-man, saves Yahweh's distressed bride.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 at 06:53 PM
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