ELISEO (“Elīlā” = “God saves”). — Prophet, Elia (v.). He was the son of Saphat, a native of Abelmeula, southeast of Bejsān (I Reg. 19, 16). A wealthy landowner (I Reg. 19, 19), he joyfully responded to Elia’s symbolic gesture by which Jahweh consecrated him as prophet and successor (I Reg. 19, 19-21). An devoted disciple of Elia (II Reg. 3, 11; cf. chap. 2) for approximately 6 years (II Reg. 1, 17), at his death he inherited his mantle and two-thirds of his charismatic power (II Reg. 2, 9 ff. Heb.), that is, the portion which, in an inheritance, belonged to the firstborn (Deut. 21, 17). As Elia’s heir and successor, he was immediately recognized by the so-called “disciples of the prophets,” who made him their leader (II Reg. 2, 12-15; cf. 6, 1-7).
Unlike Elia, E. retained his habits as a well-to-do member of the bourgeoisie: he dressed conventionally (cf. II Reg. 2, 12), lived in cities, had a house in Samaria (II Reg. 2, 19-23 ff.; 6, 8-20, 32; cf. 4, 8-10), and a servant, Giezi, who always accompanied him. He was prophet of the kingdom of Israel under Ioram (853-842), son of Achab, Iehu (842-815), Ioachaz (814-798), and Ioas (798-783); he died around 790.
E. energetically cooperated in the fulfillment of Elia’s prophecies concerning the triumph of Jahwism and the destruction of Achab’s dynasty. His entire activity demonstrates that salvation comes from Jahweh alone; this is precisely the idea expressed by his name. He often intervened in public affairs. He marched with the army against Maab; he saved it from discouragement over the lack of water and predicted victory for it (II Reg. 3, 9-25). He revealed to Ioram the ambushes of Bonadad and led to Samaria the Syrian soldiers sent to capture him (II Reg. 6, 8-12); he announced the end of the terrible siege of Samaria through the intervention of Jahweh (II Reg. 6, 24; 7, 20).
He went to Damascus to carry out the mission entrusted by God to Elia (cf. I Reg. 19, 25); to Hazael he revealed that he would kill the ailing king, obtain the kingdom, and do great harm to Israel (II Reg. 8, 7-15). In the same way, he chose the most opportune moment to have Iehu anointed king of Israel by one of his disciples, while Ioram was wounded and staying at Iezael (II Reg. 8, 25-29). Iehu, to whom the words
(fot. Andersen)
ELISEO — Mosaic of the Martorana church (1148). Palermo.
In obedience to Elijah’s command against the family of Achab, he ferociously destroyed all its members and killed all the worshippers of Baal (II Reg. 9–10). Finally, to King Ioas, who visited him, the dying E. foretold that he would defeat the Arameans three times (II Reg. 13, 14–19).
E. performed many miracles. He divided the waters of the Jordan with Elijah’s mantle (II Reg. 2, 14 ff.); with salt he made the spring of Jericho wholesome (ibid., 2, 19–22). He multiplied a widow’s oil to free her from an exacting creditor (II Reg. 4, 1–7); he obtained a son for the Shunammite woman who had given him lodging and, when the child died of sunstroke, raised him from the dead (ibid., 4, 8–37). He healed a harmful stew (ibid., 4, 38–41); he multiplied 20 loaves for a hundred people (ibid., 4, 42–44). He cured Naaman the Syrian of leprosy, who became a faithful Yahwist, and punished the greed of Giezi by transferring to him the leprosy of the former (II Reg. 5). Upon contact with E.’s bones, a dead man rose again (II Reg. 13, 20 ff.). Cf. Eccl. 48, 12–14.
St Jerome recalls the tomb of E. near Samaria (In Abdiam: PL 25, 1099). The Church celebrates the feast of E. on 14 June.
For the iconography V. ELIA.