Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As I read the passage in question, the burning of the plow was intended to both symbolize Elisha's complete break from his former life and activity in order to become Elijah's successor, and also to enable an act of generosity on Elisha's part, with both the plow and the oxen employed in the preparation of food that fed many.

August 16 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Delightful question, Donna! At Dallas Theological Seminary I had to take a class in Hebrew, and we students had to translate all these verses in 1 Kings from the Hebrew about Elijah and Elisha into English. Fun!

Elisha, the son of Shaphat, was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, showing he was a man of wealth and status (1 Ki 19:19). Elijah cast his mantle upon him, symbolically investing him with the prophetic office (1 Ki 19:19; 2 Kgs 1:8; Zech 13:4). Elisha’s willingness to leave his oxen and family behind, even asking to bid them farewell, demonstrated his total commitment to God’s call (1 Ki 19:20). By slaughtering the oxen, cooking their meat, and sharing it with others, he publicly severed ties with his former life and wealth, fully embracing his new role as Elijah’s servant (1 Ki 19:21; 2 Sa 24:22; Deut 12:15; 1 Sam 28:24). This act illustrates the principle Jesus later taught: no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).

August 17 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

1 Kings 19:21: And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instrument of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after E-li’-jah, and ministered unto him. 

Elijah, when he ran for his life into the wilderness, cried out to God the Father to take away his life from the earth. He was then served and fed by the Angel of the Lord to take a journey of the strength of the meat for forty days and forty nights unto Ho’-reb, the mount of God. The Lord said unto Elijah, "Return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king of Syria. Jehu, the son of Nimshi, thou shalt anoint to be the king of Israel, and Elisha, the son of Shaphat, to be a “prophet in thy room.” For the Lord knew who had not bowed down unto Baal, for there were seven thousand in Israel who bowed not and worshiped not. Elisha was one of them who was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen before him, and “he with the twelfth.” The Lord revealed unto Elijha, Israel having the twelve tribes, Elisha was plowing the “Twelfth Team,” that is, to go and plough the twelve tribes of Israel. (1 Kings 19:19)

Elisha, the son of Sha’-phat was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen when Elijha was sent to him by God the Father, who cast his mantle upon him. Elisha was then revealed by God the Father to be the rock, the mantle that was cast upon him, and he was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. The keys of heaven led him to take the yoke of oxen, slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people around. The keys of heaven, which led him to give to the poor, were to have treasures in heaven and then to follow Elijah. For the yoke of oxen, that he took was to keep the ordinance and to walk therein, for the life of the flesh is in the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul, and to live in them to have eternal life. (Mat 16:18-19,19:21/Lev 17:11,18:4-5) 

Elisha the shepherd, having the right wisdom given unto him as Abel, was led by the Holy Spirit of God, for the Lord God had respect unto Elisha as Abel and to his offerings. He took a yoke of oxen and slew them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen and gave unto the people to eat. The offerings that he gave unto the poor led him to have treasures in heaven and come and follow Elijha. (Mat 19:21) As Lord Jesus reveals unto us through scriptures, sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasures in heaven. As the Lord Jesus reveals unto us as Elisha followed Elijha, so shall it be that those who do, and who will follow Him, our Lord Jesus. In the regeneration to come, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, so shall the disciples sit upon the “twelve thrones,” “Judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” For everyone then who forsakes his house, brethren, sisters, fathers, mothers, wife, and children for His name's sake shall inherit everlasting life. (Mat 19:28-30)

Luke 9:62: And Jesus said unto him, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report