2 Kings 13:16

KJV

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand [upon it]: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} to the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, Put {H7392} thine hand {H3027} upon the bow {H7198}. And he put {H7392} his hand {H3027} upon it: and Elisha {H477} put {H7760} his hands {H3027} upon the king's {H4428} hands {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to the king of Isra'el, "Put your hand on the bow"; and he put his hand on it. Then Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands

Berean Standard Bible

Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

American Standard Version

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thy hand upon the bow; and he put his hand upon it. And Elisha laid his hands upon the king’s hands.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 13:16 captures a deeply symbolic and prophetic moment as the dying prophet Elisha instructs King Joash of Israel to place his hand upon a bow, and then Elisha places his own hands over the king's. This physical act serves as a powerful visual prophecy, signifying the impartation of divine strength and authority for Israel's military deliverance from their Aramean oppressors, underscoring the necessity of divine partnership in human endeavors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the poignant narrative of Elisha's final days and his interaction with King Joash, as recorded in [2 Kings 13](/2-kings/13 "2 Kings 13 - Elisha's Death and Prophecy for Joash"). Elisha, now on his deathbed, is visited by Joash, who weeps over the impending loss of Israel's "chariots and horsemen" (a reference to Elisha's spiritual power, echoing [2 Kings 2:12](/2-kings/2-12 "2 Kings 2:12 - Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Cry")). In his final prophetic acts, Elisha guides Joash through a series of symbolic actions designed to reveal God's will regarding Israel's struggle against the Arameans (Syrians). The preceding verses describe Elisha's instruction for Joash to open the east window and shoot an arrow, declaring it "the arrow of the Lord's deliverance" ([2 Kings 13:17](/2-kings/13-17 "2 Kings 13:17 - The Arrow of the Lord's Deliverance")). Verse 16 details the crucial physical connection between prophet and king that immediately precedes and empowers this symbolic shot.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was under severe oppression from the Arameans (Syrians), particularly under King Hazael and his son Ben-Hadad ([2 Kings 13:3](/2-kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3 - Israel under Aramean Oppression")). This period marked a low point for Israel, characterized by military weakness and national distress, largely due to their persistent idolatry and departure from God. The bow and arrow were primary instruments of warfare in the ancient Near East, symbolizing military might, battle, and victory. The "laying on of hands" was a well-established practice in Israelite culture, used to signify blessing, consecration, transfer of authority, or impartation of spiritual gifts, seen in instances like the ordination of Joshua by Moses ([Numbers 27:18-23](/numbers/27-18-23 "Numbers 27:18-23 - Moses Lays Hands on Joshua")). Elisha's act, therefore, would have been immediately understood by Joash as a profound gesture of divine empowerment and endorsement for the upcoming military campaigns.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Empowerment Through Human Action**, demonstrating that God often chooses to work through human instruments, empowering their efforts to accomplish His purposes. Elisha's hands upon Joash's signify that the impending victory would not be solely by the king's might but by God's power working through him. Secondly, the scene underscores the theme of **Prophetic Symbolism** and **Performative Prophecy**. The entire ritual—the bow, the arrow, the open window, and the laying on of hands—is a visual and tactile prophecy, communicating God's intention and the means of its fulfillment. The bow represents warfare and victory, and Elisha's hands symbolize divine backing. Thirdly, it introduces the crucial theme of **Faith and Obedience** as prerequisites for experiencing God's full blessing. While Joash initially obeys Elisha's instructions, his subsequent incomplete obedience in striking the ground (as detailed in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2-kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Joash's Limited Obedience")) tragically limits the extent of Israel's deliverance, revealing that human response directly impacts the measure of divine blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yad_):** The Hebrew word יָד (_yad_), translated as "hand," appears multiple times in this short verse, emphasizing its central role. In biblical contexts, "hand" often signifies power, authority, action, and presence. Here, Joash's hand on the bow represents his human effort and military action, while Elisha's hands upon the king's hands symbolize the impartation of divine power, blessing, and prophetic authority. It suggests a transfer of spiritual enablement from the prophet, representing God, to the king, who is the human agent.
* **Bow (Hebrew, _qeshet_):** The Hebrew word קֶשֶׁת (_qeshet_), meaning "bow," is a potent symbol of warfare, strength, and victory in the Old Testament. It is an instrument of battle, used for both defense and offense. In this prophetic act, the bow is not merely a weapon but a tangible representation of the military conflict with Aram and the divine promise of triumph. Elisha's instruction concerning the bow directly links God's prophetic word to the practical reality of Israel's military engagement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow."**: This is Elisha's direct command, initiating the prophetic ritual. The prophet, even in his weakness, retains his spiritual authority and acts as God's messenger. The instruction for Joash to place his hand on the bow is the first step in engaging the king physically in the symbolic act of warfare and preparation for deliverance.
* **"And he put his hand [upon it]:"**: This clause records Joash's immediate, albeit perhaps hesitant, obedience to Elisha's instruction. His willingness to participate in this seemingly unusual act demonstrates a measure of faith and respect for the dying prophet. This physical engagement is crucial for the subsequent impartation.
* **"and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands."**: This is the climactic and most significant action in the verse. Elisha's hands covering Joash's hands on the bow symbolizes a profound spiritual transfer. It represents the impartation of divine strength, courage, and strategic insight from God, through His prophet, to the king. It signifies that the battles Joash would fight would not be by his own strength alone, but with the backing and empowerment of the Lord, making the king's actions extensions of God's will and power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich in **Symbolism**. The "bow" itself is a potent symbol of military power and the means of victory in battle. The act of "laying on of hands" is a well-established biblical symbol for the impartation of blessing, authority, and spiritual enablement, here signifying God's anointing for warfare. The entire scene functions as a **Performative Prophecy**, where the physical actions themselves embody and declare God's future intentions. Elisha's instructions and the king's participation are not merely illustrative but are integral to the prophetic message, acting as a divine catalyst for future events. There is also a subtle **Contrast** between Elisha's dying physical state and the immense spiritual power he wields, highlighting that God's power is not limited by human frailty. The repetition of "hand(s)" also creates a form of **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the physical connection and the transfer of spiritual agency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in 2 Kings 13:16 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine-human partnership in accomplishing God's purposes. It illustrates that while God is sovereign and capable of acting independently, He often chooses to work through human agents, empowering them for specific tasks. Elisha's act of placing his hands on Joash's signifies that God's power is not merely a distant force but is made available and transferred to those who are willing to participate in His plan. This divine enablement, however, is often contingent upon human faith and obedience, as the subsequent narrative reveals Joash's limited response leading to limited victory. It underscores the profound truth that God desires our active participation, empowering our efforts when aligned with His will, yet our full experience of His blessing is often tied to the completeness of our obedience.

* [2 Kings 13:17](/2-kings/13-17 "Elisha's instruction to shoot the arrow of deliverance")
* [2 Kings 13:19](/2-kings/13-19 "Joash's limited striking and its consequence")
* [Deuteronomy 34:9](/deuteronomy/34-9 "Moses lays hands on Joshua, imparting wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 2 Kings 13:16 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God desires to partner with us in the challenges we face, whether personal, communal, or societal. Just as Elisha's hands empowered Joash's, God's Spirit empowers us, enabling us to face our "Arameans" – our struggles, fears, and obstacles – with divine strength. This passage calls us to active participation in God's will, not passive waiting. It challenges us to "put our hand upon the bow," to engage with the tools and opportunities God provides, trusting that His power will be laid upon our efforts. Furthermore, it highlights the enduring value of spiritual mentorship and intercession; Elisha, even in his dying moments, served as a conduit for God's power and wisdom. We are encouraged to seek and value godly counsel and to pray for those in positions of leadership, recognizing that spiritual guidance is vital for navigating life's battles. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for the critical lesson of complete obedience: God's promises are vast, but our experience of them can be limited by our own hesitation or incomplete faith, urging us to fully embrace and act upon His revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel you need God's empowering hand upon your efforts?**
* **How does the concept of divine partnership (God's hand on your hand) encourage you to step out in faith?**
* **What "bow" (area of gifting, responsibility, or challenge) has God called you to put your hand upon, and how might you invite His empowering presence into that?**
* **Who are the "Elishas" in your life—spiritual mentors or guides—whose counsel you should seek and value?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elisha putting his hands on the king's hands?**

Answer: The act of Elisha placing his hands upon King Joash's hands is deeply significant, drawing on the biblical practice of "laying on of hands." This gesture often symbolized the impartation of blessing, authority, spiritual gift, or divine enablement. In this specific context, it signified the transfer of God's power, anointing, and prophetic authority from the prophet to the king, specifically for the purpose of military victory against the Arameans. It was a visible and tactile assurance that God would be with Joash in battle, empowering his efforts and ensuring success, provided Joash acted in full obedience. It underscored that the impending deliverance was not merely a human endeavor but a divinely backed campaign.

**Why was the bow important in this prophecy?**

Answer: The bow was crucial because it was a primary weapon of warfare in the ancient world, symbolizing military might, battle, and victory. By instructing King Joash to place his hand upon the bow, Elisha was physically connecting the king's human effort in warfare with God's divine promise of deliverance. The bow became a tangible point of contact for the prophetic act, representing the specific arena (military conflict) in which God's power would be manifested. The subsequent act of shooting arrows out the window (as described in [2 Kings 13:17](/2-kings/13-17 "2 Kings 13:17 - The Arrow of the Lord's Deliverance")) further solidified the bow's role as an instrument of "the Lord's deliverance."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophetic act in [2 Kings 13:16](/2-kings/13-16 "2 Kings 13:16 - Elisha's Hands on Joash's Hands") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. While Joash was empowered for a limited, temporal deliverance from a physical enemy, Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer who brings eternal salvation from sin and death. The "laying on of hands" from Elisha to Joash, signifying the impartation of divine power, foreshadows the way God's power is fully manifested in Christ and made available to believers through Him. Jesus, as the true Prophet, Priest, and King, embodies all the spiritual authority and power that Elisha sought to transfer. He is the one who truly puts His hand upon us, not just for a few battles, but for complete victory over every spiritual foe ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Furthermore, just as Joash was called to act in faith with the bow, believers are called to participate in Christ's victory through faith, wielding the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ([Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")) and engaging in spiritual warfare empowered by His Spirit. The limited success of Joash due to incomplete obedience contrasts sharply with Christ's perfect obedience, which secured a complete and everlasting deliverance for all who believe ([Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ's Obedience and Perfect Salvation")). In Christ, we find the full measure of divine empowerment and the assurance of ultimate victory, not through a symbolic bow, but through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection power, which enables us to overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 4:34

And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

Genesis 49:24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Psalms 144:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight: