person · P0036

Elisha אלישע בן שפט

Disciple and successor of Eliyahu, taken from behind the plow at Avel Mecholah. Asked for and received "a double portion" of his master's spirit, and worked wonders across the northern kingdom for decades, through the reigns of Yehoram to Yoash. Per the Rambam he received the Oral Torah from Eliyahu and transmitted it to Yehoyada the Kohen.

I. Who

Hebrew: אלישע בן שפט
Also known as: Elisha ben Shafat
Era: bible

Received the mesorah from: Eliyahu
Transmitted the mesorah to: Yehoyada

Teachers: Eliyahu

II. When

Traditional: c. 3020–3110 AM
Academic: fl. c. 850–800 BCE
Lifespan (traditional): ≈90 years
Precision: approximate

V. How do we know

Claim	Evidence	Confidence	Sources
Received the Oral Torah from Eliyahu and his court, and transmitted it to Yehoyada the Kohen — the ninth link in Rambam's forty-generation chain. Confidence is for the chain as stated by the Rambam.	rabbinic	★★★★★	Rambam, Introduction to Mishneh Torah (Transmission of the Oral Law 6)
Before Eliyahu's ascent, asked "let a double portion of your spirit be upon me" — and inherited his master's mantle and prophetic role. Confidence is for what the biblical text states.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 2:9
Elisha directed the Aramean commander Naaman to immerse seven times in the Jordan, refused payment after his healing, and condemned Gehazi for secretly taking gifts, after which Naaman's skin disease attached to Gehazi. Directly stated in the cited source.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 5:1–27
After Elisha's death, a corpse thrown into his grave revived upon touching his bones. Directly stated in the cited source.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 13:20–21
Elisha was the son of Shafat of Avel Mecholah.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim I 19:16
When Eliyahu found him, Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he slaughtered his pair, fed the people, and followed Eliyahu.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim I 19:19–21
He regularly passed through Shunem, where a prominent woman and her husband prepared a furnished rooftop room for him.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 4:8–10
During the Aramean siege of Shomron, Elisha is depicted sitting in his house with the elders.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 6:24 Melachim II 6:32
Elisha died from an illness; the text later describes his burial place only as his grave, without naming its location.	biblical	★★★★★	Melachim II 13:14 Melachim II 13:20–21
Traditional activity band c. 3020–3110 AM, from his call in the days of Achav until his death in the days of Yoash of Israel. Schematic traditional dating.	tradition reconstruction	★☆☆☆☆	Seder Olam Rabbah (chronological framework)