Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Yaakov Stein" <yaakov_s AT rad.com>]

> What is the significance of 'aph hu'?  Did Elisha strike the Jordan
once or twice?

While the order of the clauses is somewhat difficult
(it is one of thoses cases where the commentators say
"sarsehu ufarshehu" - i.e. first reorder the sentence and then
interpret),
the meaning is clear.

Elijah struck the Jordan and the waters parted.

Elisha wanted to know if he received Elijah's powers.
So he too struck the river with Elijah's cloak
(the same one that Elijah originally threw on his shoulders)
and the waters indeed parted.

The words "aph hu" mean, Elisha too struck the waters
as Elijah had some time before.

Y(J)S