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2 Kings 6:18 As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Please strike these people with blindness." So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
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And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So when <i>the Syrians</i> came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness in accordance with the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people (nation) with blindness.” And God struck them with blindness, in accordance with Elisha’s request.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />As the Syrian army came closer, Elisha prayed, "LORD, make those soldiers blind!" And the LORD blinded them with a bright light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />As the Arameans came down to get him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Please strike these people with blindness." The LORD struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed, "O LORD, strike these men blind!" The LORD answered his prayer and struck them blind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the army approached him, Elisha spoke to the LORD, asking him, "LORD, I'm asking you please to afflict this group of people with blindness!" So he afflicted them with blindness, just as Elisha had asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, ?Please strike these people with blindness.? So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />As they approached him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." The LORD struck them with blindness as Elisha requested.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to Elisha’s word. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they come down to it, and Elisha prays to YHWH and says, “Please strike this nation with blindness”; and He strikes them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they come down unto it, and Elisha prayeth unto Jehovah, and saith, 'Smite, I pray Thee, this nation with blindness;' and He smiteth them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will come down to him, and Elisha will pray to Jehovah, and say, Strike now, this nation with blindness. And he will strike them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the enemies came down to him, but Eliseus prayed to the Lord, saying: Strike, I beseech thee, this people with blindness. And the Lord struck them with blindness, according to the word of Eliseus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then truly, the enemies descended to him. But Elisha prayed to the Lord, saying: “Strike, I beg you, this people with blindness.” And the Lord struck them, so that they would not see, in accord with the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the Arameans came down to get him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike this people blind, I pray you.” And the LORD struck them blind, according to Elisha’s word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, please, with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, Smite this people with dimness of vision. And he smote them with dimness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they came down to them and Elisha prayed before LORD JEHOVAH and said: “Strike this people with hallucinations!” And he struck them with hallucinations according to the word of Elisha.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said: 'Smite this people, I pray Thee, with blindness.' And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they came down to him; and he prayed to the Lord, and said, Smite, I pray thee, this people with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisaie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/6-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=1981" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/6.htm">Elisha Captures the Blinded Arameans</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·rə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">As the Arameans came down</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">against him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Elisha</a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: way·yiṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">prayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: haḵ- (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">strike</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w- (Art:: N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5575.htm" title="5575: bas·san·wê·rîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Sudden blindness. Of uncertain derivation; blindness.">with blindness.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yak·kêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">So He struck them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5575.htm" title="5575: bas·san·wê·rîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Sudden blindness. Of uncertain derivation; blindness.">with blindness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kiḏ·ḇar (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">according to the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">of Elisha.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-11.htm">Acts 13:11</a></span><br />Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Genesis 19:11</a></span><br />And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Acts 9:8</a></span><br />Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-16.htm">Luke 24:16</a></span><br />But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-11.htm">Exodus 4:11</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:28</a></span><br />The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15</a></span><br />Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray you, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Genesis 19:11</a></b></br> And they smote the men that <i>were</i> at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.</p><p class="hdg">on which see the Note</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:28</a></b></br> The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-14.htm">Job 5:14</a></b></br> They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/12-4.htm">Zechariah 12:4</a></b></br> In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/16-12.htm">Accordance</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-9.htm">Aramaeans</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-8.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Blindness</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-12.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-27.htm">Elisha's</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-33.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-33.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-25.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-11.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-9.htm">Syrians</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-9.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/16-11.htm">Accordance</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">Aramaeans</a> <a href="/job/29-15.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-4.htm">Blindness</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">Elisha's</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-24.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-13.htm">Please</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-15.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-4.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-2.htm">Prayeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-21.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-21.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-21.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-21.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">Syrians</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-1.htm">Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-8.htm">He discloses the king of Syria's counsel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">The king sends to slay Elisha</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase sets the scene for a military confrontation. The Arameans were likely coming from the north, as their capital was Damascus. Historically, the Arameans were a powerful group, often clashing with Israel over territory and influence. This context highlights the constant threat Israel faced from surrounding nations, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.<p><b>Elisha prayed to the LORD</b><br>Elisha, the successor of Elijah, was a prophet known for his miracles and close relationship with God. His immediate response to pray underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance and intervention in times of crisis. This act of prayer reflects a deep trust in God's power and willingness to act on behalf of His people. Elisha's reliance on prayer serves as a model for believers, illustrating the power of prayer in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.<p><b>“Please strike these people with blindness.”</b><br>Elisha's specific request for blindness is significant. In biblical terms, blindness often symbolizes spiritual ignorance or a lack of understanding. By asking for physical blindness, Elisha is effectively neutralizing the threat without resorting to violence. This request demonstrates the prophet's wisdom and reliance on God's power to protect His people in a non-lethal manner. It also foreshadows the New Testament theme of spiritual blindness and the need for divine revelation to see the truth.<p><b>So He struck them with blindness</b><br>God's immediate response to Elisha's prayer highlights His sovereignty and willingness to act on behalf of His servants. This divine intervention serves as a testament to God's power and the authority granted to His prophets. The miraculous nature of this event underscores the reality of God's involvement in the affairs of His people and His ability to alter the natural order to fulfill His purposes.<p><b>according to the word of Elisha</b><br>The phrase emphasizes the authority and prophetic power vested in Elisha. It shows that God honors the words of His prophets, fulfilling their requests when they align with His will. This connection between the prophet's word and God's action is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating the close relationship between God and His chosen messengers. It also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's word through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who has authority over all creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></b><br>A prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and deep relationship with God. In this passage, he demonstrates his reliance on God through prayer.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/arameans.htm">Arameans</a></b><br>A group of people from Aram (modern-day Syria), often in conflict with Israel. Here, they are attempting to capture Elisha.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/dothan.htm">Dothan</a></b><br>The city where Elisha was staying when the Arameans surrounded it. It is significant as a place of divine intervention.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/blindness.htm">Blindness</a></b><br>A miraculous condition inflicted upon the Arameans, symbolizing both physical and spiritual blindness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The God of Israel, who answers Elisha's prayer and demonstrates His power and protection over His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_prayer.htm">Reliance on Prayer</a></b><br>Elisha's immediate response to danger was prayer, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's intervention in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a></b><br>God's ability to protect His people is evident. Believers can trust in God's power to shield them from harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_blindness.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>The physical blindness of the Arameans serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness. We must seek spiritual sight through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The passage underscores God's control over all situations, encouraging believers to trust in His plans and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Elisha's faith led to miraculous outcomes. Our faith should also lead us to act in accordance with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_elisha_blind_and_unblind_foes.htm">2 Kings 6:18–20: How could Elisha strike an entire enemy force with blindness and then restore their sight? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jesus_escape_the_mob.htm">How did Jesus simply walk away from a mob intent on killing him (Luke 4:28–30)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_2_kings_6_miracles_fit_reality.htm">2 Kings 6 overall: How do these grandiose miracles and supernatural events fit with the laws of nature and known history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_ahijah_recognize_jeroboam's_wife.htm">How could Ahijah, who was nearly blind (1 Kings 14:4-5), immediately recognize Jeroboam's wife in disguise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">And when they came down to him.</span>--This would mean that the <span class= "ital">Syrians came down</span> to Elisha. But the prophet was, to begin with, in the city, which lay on the top of the hill; and the heavenly host intervened between him and his enemies, so that the latter must have occupied the lower position. The reading of the Syriac and Josephus ?s, "and they (<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, Elisha and his servant) went down to <span class= "ital">them</span>"--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, to the Syrian force; and this is apparently right. The sight of the heavenly host guarding his master had inspired the prophet's follower with courage to face any danger in his master's company.<p><span class= "bld">Elisha prayed.</span>--<span class= "ital">And Elisha; prayed</span>--mentally, as he approached his foes.<p><span class= "bld">This people.</span>--Perhaps in the sense of <span class= "ital">multitude</span>.<p><span class= "bld">Blindness.</span>--<span class= "ital">Sanw?rim</span>: the term used in <a href="/genesis/19-11.htm" title="And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.">Genesis 19:11</a>, and nowhere besides. It denotes not so much blindness as a dazing effect, accompanied by mental bewilderment and confusion. "They saw, but knew not what they saw" (<span class= "ital">Rashi</span>). Ewald pronounces the passage in Genesis the model of the present one.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when they came down to him.</span> Keil and others suppose this to mean that the Syrians "came down" to Elisha; hut, if they were in the plain that surrounds the hill whereon Dothan was built, as appears from ver. 15, they would have had to ascend in order to reach Elisha, not to descend. We must, therefore, with F. Meyer, Thenius, and Bahr, translate, "When they [Elisha and his servant] came down to them [the Syrians]" - either changing <span class="hebrew">אֵלָיו</span> into <span class="hebrew">אֲלַיהֶם</span>, as Thenius does, or understanding <span class="hebrew">אֵלָיו</span> to refer to the "host" (<span class="hebrew">חַיִל</span>) of the Syrians. <span class="cmt_word">Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness.</span> Not literal blindness, or they could not have followed Elisha's lead, and marched a distance of twelve miles to Samaria; but a state of confusion and Bewilderment, in which" seeing they saw, but did not perceive" (compare the "blindness" of the men of Sodom, in <a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Genesis 19:11</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/6-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">As the Arameans came down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרְדוּ֮</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָיו֒</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Elisha</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלִישָׁ֤ע</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lî·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prayed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·pal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Please</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">strike</span><br /><span class="heb">הַךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(haḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּוֹי־</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with blindness.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(bas·san·wê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5575.htm">Strong's 5575: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sudden blindness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So He struck</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּכֵּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yak·kêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them with blindness,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(bas·san·wê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5575.htm">Strong's 5575: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sudden blindness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">according to the word</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּדְבַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(kiḏ·ḇar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Elisha.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלִישָֽׁע׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lî·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/6-18.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 6:18 When they came down to him Elisha (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 6:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 6:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 6:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 6:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>