2 Kings 6:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to ADONAI, "Please strike these people blind"; and he struck them blind, as Elisha had asked.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when they came down^{H3381} to him, Elisha^{H477} prayed^{H6419} unto the LORD^{H3068}, and said^{H559}, Smite^{H5221} this people^{H1471}, I pray thee, with blindness^{H5575}. And he smote^{H5221} them with blindness^{H5575} according to the word^{H1697} of Elisha^{H477}.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 6:18

2 Kings 6:18 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the prophetic ministry of Elisha. The historical context places this event during the period of the divided monarchy when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was often in conflict with neighboring kingdoms, including Aram (Syria). Elisha, the successor to the prophet Elijah, was known for his powerful miracles and his role as a spiritual adviser to the kings of Israel.

In this particular verse, Elisha is facing a precarious situation where the city of Dothan, where he resides, is surrounded by the army of the king of Aram. The king of Aram had sent his forces to capture Elisha, perceiving him as a threat due to his ability to reveal the king's secret plans to the king of Israel. Despite being vastly outnumbered and seemingly trapped, Elisha remains calm and turns to prayer, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's power to save.

The themes present in this verse include the power of prayer, the sovereignty of God over human affairs, and the protection of the faithful. Elisha's request for the army to be struck with blindness illustrates his confidence in God's ability to intervene supernaturally in the course of human events. The fulfillment of Elisha's prayer also highlights the theme of God's faithfulness to His servants. By striking the enemy with blindness, God not only protects Elisha but also demonstrates His control over the forces of nature and the affairs of nations.

This event underscores the biblical motif of spiritual sight versus physical sight, as the blindness inflicted upon the Aramean soldiers is not merely a physical ailment but a symbol of their inability to perceive the true source of power working through Elisha. The verse serves as a powerful testament to the belief that with God, even the seemingly impossible situations can be turned around for His purposes and the good of those who trust in Him.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6419
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּלַל
   Transliteration: pâlal
   Pronunciation: paw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray; intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1471
   There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹי
   Transliteration: gôwy
   Pronunciation: go'-ee
   Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5575
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סַנְוֵר
   Transliteration: çanvêr
   Pronunciation: san-vare'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; (in plural) blindness; blindness.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.