The mantle served the practical purpose of keeping people
warm and protecting them from the elements. It also served a symbolic purpose,
in the case of the prophets, showing they were wrapped in God’s authority. Like
all imagery in the Old Testament, the mantle presents a visible representation
of a New Testament principle. The mantle can be seen as a symbol of the
anointing of the Holy Spirit whom God so graciously gives to all Christians,
the people of His choosing (1 Thessalonians 1:5–6; 1 Peter 2:9).
Mantle
Garment;
covering.
Now when
Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came
every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and
Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to
mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off,
and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent everyone
his MANTLE, and sprinkled dust upon
their heads toward heaven. ( Job 2:11-12
)
Although there are
variations of the meaning of mantle in the Bible, the main idea is that
of a covering such as a cloak or other article of clothing. The New American
Standard Bible uses the word mantle in Joshua 7:21 and Hebrews 1:12. In
the former passage, the ESV translates the word as “cloak” and, in the latter,
“robe.” In biblical times, a mantle was typically a large, loosely fitting
garment made of animal skin, probably sheepskin. Several people are mentioned
as wearing a mantle, including Job (Job 1:20) and Ezra (Ezra 9:5).
Prophets were known for wearing mantles as a sign of their calling from God (1 Kings 19:13). The prophet Samuel wore a mantle (1 Samuel 15:27). The prophet Elijah “threw his cloak around [Elisha]” as a symbol of Elijah’s ministry being passed on to Elisha. The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as God’s chosen spokesman (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha was not confused as to what Elijah was doing; the putting on of his mantle made his election clear.
Some theologians see the mantle as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 2 Kings 2:14 Elisha takes the mantle that had “fallen” from Elijah, similar to how Jesus received the Spirit “descending” on Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16). The audible voice of God in Matthew 3:17 confirms Jesus as God’s chosen servant (cf. Isaiah 42:1). We see a similar “falling” of the Spirit in Acts 8:15–16 and Acts 10:44. It’s only after Elisha takes the fallen mantle that he performs miraculous works (2 Kings 2:14, 21, 24). The Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to do God’s work (Micah 3:8; Matthew 12:28; Ephesians 3:16).
Prophets were known for wearing mantles as a sign of their calling from God (1 Kings 19:13). The prophet Samuel wore a mantle (1 Samuel 15:27). The prophet Elijah “threw his cloak around [Elisha]” as a symbol of Elijah’s ministry being passed on to Elisha. The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as God’s chosen spokesman (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha was not confused as to what Elijah was doing; the putting on of his mantle made his election clear.
Some theologians see the mantle as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 2 Kings 2:14 Elisha takes the mantle that had “fallen” from Elijah, similar to how Jesus received the Spirit “descending” on Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16). The audible voice of God in Matthew 3:17 confirms Jesus as God’s chosen servant (cf. Isaiah 42:1). We see a similar “falling” of the Spirit in Acts 8:15–16 and Acts 10:44. It’s only after Elisha takes the fallen mantle that he performs miraculous works (2 Kings 2:14, 21, 24). The Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to do God’s work (Micah 3:8; Matthew 12:28; Ephesians 3:16).
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