Elisha and the widow

Peter J. Leithart, June 01, 2005

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 remainder�Ein 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 �vessel�Eis the same as the word for vessels of the temple (the word for �jar�Ein 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.