King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened [it]. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed [them].
Complete Jewish Bible:
and said, "Open the east window." He opened it. Elisha said, "Shoot"; and he shot. He said, "ADONAI's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory against Aram! You will defeat Aram completely at Afek!"
Berean Standard Bible:
“Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”
American Standard Version:
And he said, Open the window eastward; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. And he said, Jehovah’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he said{H559}, Open{H6605} the window{H2474} eastward{H6924}. And he opened{H6605} it. Then Elisha{H477} said{H559}, Shoot{H3384}. And he shot{H3384}. And he said{H559}, The arrow{H2671} of the LORD'S{H3068} deliverance{H8668}, and the arrow{H2671} of deliverance{H8668} from Syria{H758}: for thou shalt smite{H5221} the Syrians{H758} in Aphek{H663}, till thou have consumed{H3615} them.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 20:26
- And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
2 Kings 5:10
- And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
2 Kings 5:14
- Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
1 Corinthians 1:18
- For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
John 11:39
- Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been [dead] four days.
John 11:41
- Then they took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up [his] eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
2 Samuel 5:24
- And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
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Commentary for 2 Kings 13:17
2 Kings 13:17 is a verse set within the historical context of the divided monarchy of Israel, during the reign of King Jehoash (also known as Joash). The Northern Kingdom of Israel, separate from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was frequently engaged in conflicts with neighboring Aram-Damascus (Syria). Elisha, a prophet of Israel and successor to Elijah, plays a significant role in this narrative.
In this verse, Elisha instructs King Jehoash to perform a symbolic act to foreshadow and confirm the future victory over the Syrians. The act involves opening an eastward-facing window, shooting an arrow, and then hearing Elisha's prophetic interpretation of the action. Elisha declares the arrow to represent both the Lord's deliverance and the deliverance from the oppressive Syrian forces. He specifically mentions Aphek, likely referring to a city where battles between Israel and Aram were known to take place. Elisha's words assure Jehoash that he will be victorious over the Syrians until they are completely defeated.
The themes present in this verse include divine intervention in human affairs, the role of prophets as intermediaries between God and the people, and the importance of faith and obedience in the face of adversity. The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty over nations and their conflicts, as well as the expectation that leaders like Jehoash should look to God for guidance and strength in times of national crisis. It also reflects the ongoing struggle for power and autonomy among the kingdoms of the Ancient Near East during this period.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H6605
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּתַח
Transliteration: pâthach
Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. - Strong's Number: H2474
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַלּוֹן
Transliteration: challôwn
Pronunciation: khal-lone'
Description: a window (as perforated); window. - Strong's Number: H6924
There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶדֶם
Transliteration: qedem
Pronunciation: keh'-dem
Description: or קֵדְמָה; from קָדַם; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward); aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare קִדְמָה. - Strong's Number: H477
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלִישָׁע
Transliteration: ʼĔlîyshâʻ
Pronunciation: el-ee-shaw'
Description: contracted for אֱלִישׁוּעַ.; Elisha, the famous prophet; Elisha. - Strong's Number: H3384
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרָה
Transliteration: yârâh
Pronunciation: yaw-raw'
Description: or (2 Chronicles 26:15) יָרָא; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach; ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. - Strong's Number: H2671
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵץ
Transliteration: chêts
Pronunciation: khayts
Description: from חָצַץ; also by interchange for עֵץ; properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunderbolt; the shaft of aspear; [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H8668
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּשׁוּעָה
Transliteration: tᵉshûwʻâh
Pronunciation: tesh-oo-aw'
Description: or תְּשֻׁעָה; from שָׁוַע in the sense of יָשַׁע; rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual); deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory. - Strong's Number: H758
There are 561 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרָם
Transliteration: ʼĂrâm
Pronunciation: arawm'
Description: from the same as אַרְמוֹן; the highland; Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite; Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. - Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H663
There are 510 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲפֵק
Transliteration: ʼĂphêq
Pronunciation: af-ake'
Description: or אֲפִיק; from אָפַק (in the sense of strength); fortress; Aphek (or Aphik), the name of three places in Palestine; Aphek, Aphik. - Strong's Number: H3615
There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּלָה
Transliteration: kâlâh
Pronunciation: kaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.