This is a complex issue that actually does have to do with cosmic geography and even more so, the denial of Elisha’s status as the prophet of Yahweh and as a solicitation to Elisha to play the role of an apostate priest, to join the apostate worship, to join the other gods, to be part of that system instead of Yahweh's system, to not be Yahweh’s prophet.

This is a theologically significant passage. That answer might sound strange to you but it is tied up in this cosmic geographical thinking and cosmic geographical language.

Article Referenced:

• Going Down to Bethel: Elijah and Elisha in the Theological
Geography of the Deuteronomistic History (Joel Burnett)

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