When the LORD was about to take Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Heaven. By heaven here is meant, the air, the lowest of the heavenly regions, ( Ch). through which he was carried by the ministry of angels, who directed the storm, ( Bible.) to the place designed for him.—It is generally supposed to be Paradise, ( Calmet.) whither Henoch had been translated. Bible.—They are still living, ( Calmet.) and must come again, to invite all to repent. After which they will die martyrs, in the persecution of Antichrist. Bible.—See Saint Augustine de Gen. ad lit. ix. 6. et Revelation 11. Worthington.—Sirach 48:10. Menochius.—They are a proof of a future resurrection. Calmet.—To decide where the paradise which they inhabit, ( Bible.) is situated. would be rash. Saint John Chrysostom hom. 21. in Gen. and so forth Some suppose it is still in some unknown region of the earth: others place it above the sky, ( Menochius.) or in the bosom of Abraham. Calmet.—The Jews (ap. Munster) assert that Elias penetrated the sphere of fire, where his body was consumed. Vat.—The earthly paradise is very probably no longer existing, in its ancient luxuriant state. Bible.—It may now be covered with the waters of the Persian Gulf. Worthington.