Two Old Testament Miracles of Resurrection: a Comparative Analysis of 1 Kgs. 17:17–24 and 2 Kgs. 4:18–37

Abstract

On the Great Saturday we read two readings, each of which tells of a prophet raising a young boy: the prophet Elijah raises the son of a widow from Zarephath of Sidon and the prophet Elisha raises the son of a woman from Shunem. It is interesting to compare these two episodes, to identify their similarities and differences. Paradoxically, there are far more differences than similarities. Among the significant differences are the following: the longer time between the child’s death and resurrection, the Shunammite’s belief in the possibility of her son’s resurrection, Elisha had to make great efforts to revive the boy. The analysis of differences allows us to speak about the superiority of Elisha’s miracle over the similar miracle of Elijah. The article concludes with a comparison of Old Testament miracles of resurrection with New Testament miracles.