Elisha was appointed by Elijah as his successor and had been his attendant for six years, so Elisha viewed Elijah as his spiritual father; Elisha was like the firstborn spiritual son of Elijah.
Vetë Elija e kishte caktuar si pasardhësin e vet Eliseun, dhe ky i kishte shërbyer si ndihmës për gjashtë vjet, prandaj e shihte Elijan si babanë e tij në kuptimin frymor. Ndërsa Eliseu ishte si një bir frymor i parëlindur për Elijan.