Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaios)
Elissaios
Elisha
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Elissaios refers to Elisha, the prominent prophet who succeeded Elijah in the Old Testament narrative. Derived from the Hebrew form meaning "God is salvation," this Greek rendering appears only once in the New Testament, specifically within Luke’s Gospel (Luke 4:27).
In that single instance, Jesus mentions Elisha while speaking in the synagogue at Nazareth. The reference serves to highlight a historical precedent where God’s prophetic ministry extended beyond Israel to a foreigner, the widow of Zarephath. This brief citation anchors Jesus’ teaching in the broader story of Scripture, connecting his own mission to the legacy of earlier prophets.
Although the name itself carries theological weight regarding divine deliverance, its New Testament usage is primarily historical. It functions as a pointer to the Old Testament accounts rather than introducing new doctrine. The brevity of its appearance underscores how often Jesus drew upon familiar prophetic figures to explain his identity and mission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elissaios appears just once in the New Testament, found in Luke 4:27. Jesus mentions Elisha while teaching in the synagogue at Nazareth. This brief reference points back to an Old Testament story where God’s care reached outside Israel. It reminds us that divine compassion is not limited by borders or expectations.
For your faith, this word highlights a consistent theme in Scripture: God often chooses the unexpected to show His grace. When you feel overlooked or distant from God’s work, remember that He sees and acts beyond human boundaries. This name serves as a quiet reminder of His expansive love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Elisha1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἐλισαίου1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:27
There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”
This verse uses the name to contrast Israel’s many lepers with Naaman, showing God’s grace extending to a foreigner.