Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 2:8

"And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground." — 2 Kings 2:8 (ASV)

They were divided ... - The attestation to Elijah’s divine mission, provided by this miracle, would tend to place him on par in the minds of the people with the two great leaders of the nation named in the marginal references.