"Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Elisha Meaning in the Bible
Elisha
boy
Elisha means "God is salvation", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Elisha appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Kings 2:9 is the passage most often tied to it. Elisha's name — 'God is salvation' — was lived out through compassionate miracles that met people's practical needs. His life shows that spiritual power flows most effectively through servants willing to be present among the people.
Is Elisha in the Bible?
Yes — Elisha appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 2:9.
Pronunciation:/eh-LY-shuh/
What does Elisha mean?
Elisha is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is salvation". Elisha means "God is salvation" in Hebrew. He was the successor of the prophet Elijah, receiving a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit when his mentor was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
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What does Elisha mean in the Bible?
Elisha means "God is salvation" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Elisha means "God is salvation" in Hebrew. He was the successor of the prophet Elijah, receiving a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit when his mentor was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Elisha's ministry was marked by an extraordinary number of miracles — more than any other Old Testament prophet. He purified poisoned water, multiplied a widow's oil, raised a dead boy to life, healed Naaman's leprosy, and made an iron axe head float. These miracles demonstrated God's compassion for ordinary people in everyday circumstances.
Elisha served as prophet for approximately fifty years under multiple kings of Israel. His ministry was characterized by accessibility — while Elijah was often isolated and dramatic, Elisha lived among the people and performed many of his miracles in domestic settings.
Where does Elisha appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Elisha is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Kings 2:9. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Elisha?
Elisha has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Eli
Who was Elisha in the Bible?
Elisha is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Elisha in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Elisha?
Elisha is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Elisha?
Elisha's name — 'God is salvation' — was lived out through compassionate miracles that met people's practical needs. His life shows that spiritual power flows most effectively through servants willing to be present among the people.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Elisha:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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Commentary
Ephesians 2:8-9 Commentary
In-depth study • Salvation & Grace
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In-depth study • Salvation by Grace
Hymn
Amazing Grace
John Newton • 1779
Hymn
Jesus Paid It All
Elvina M. Hall • 1865
What names are related to Elisha?
Names like Elisha
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "God is salvation" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Elisha
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Elisha
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Elisha name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Elisha appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 2:9.
Elisha means "God is salvation." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Kings 2:9, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Elisha comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "God is salvation." It appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 2:9.
Common questions about the name Elisha
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Elisha?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Elisha?
You can read every verse where Elisha appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.