Elisha’s servant as successor: Interpreting Gehazi’s narrative through the lens of prophetic succession

Abstract

This article offers a reevaluation of Gehazi’s role in the Elisha narratives by reading him through the lens of prophetic succession. Rather than interpreting Gehazi solely as a foil or a morally deficient figure, the study explores how the narrative portrays him as a potential successor to Elisha—echoing biblical patterns in other master-servant relationships, namely that of Moses with Joshua and Elijah with Elisha. Drawing on textual analysis, literary parallels, and the symbolic function of prophetic items, the article argues that Gehazi’s characterization can be understood as part of a prophetic apprenticeship. However, Gehazi’s premature appropriation of prophetic authority in 2 Kgs 5 marks a critical failure. His downfall is crafted to critique unauthorized prophetic aspiration and highlights the importance of timing in succession.