2 Kings 13:17

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In a poignant and pivotal encounter between the dying prophet Elisha and King Joash of Israel, 2 Kings 13:17 records a profound prophetic act. Elisha instructs the king to open a window eastward and shoot an arrow, declaring it "the arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria." This symbolic gesture served as a divine promise of decisive victory over the oppressive Arameans (Syrians), specifically prophesying a triumph at Aphek and a complete consumption of the enemy, contingent upon the king's faithful and complete participation in God's ordained strategy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the final recorded acts of the prophet Elisha, marking a significant and somber transition in Israel's history. It immediately follows King Joash's visit to the ailing prophet, where the king, weeping, laments the impending loss of "the chariot of Israel and its horsemen," a powerful metaphor found in [2 Kings 13:14](/2_kings/13-14 "2 Kings 13:14 - Joash's Lament for Elisha") that signifies Elisha's crucial role as Israel's spiritual defense and strength. The prophetic instruction in verse 17 sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2_kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - The King's Partial Obedience"), which tragically reveals King Joash's partial obedience to Elisha's further commands. This limited response directly curtails the extent of Israel's promised victory over Syria, creating a stark contrast with the full, comprehensive triumph offered in verse 17. Thus, this verse functions as the foundational divine promise against which the king's actions and their consequences are measured, underscoring the profound impact of human faith and obedience on the realization of God's redemptive purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During this period, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was suffering severe and prolonged oppression under the Aramean (Syrian) kings, particularly Hazael and his son Ben-Hadad, as detailed in [2 Kings 13:3-7](/2_kings/13-3-7 "2 Kings 13:3-7 - Syrian Oppression of Israel"). This relentless pressure had significantly weakened Israel's military capabilities and economic stability. The instruction to "open the window eastward" held immense strategic and symbolic weight, as the primary invasion route for the Arameans into Israel often came from the east, across the Jordan River and through the fertile regions of Gilead and the Jezreel Valley. Aphek, mentioned as the site of the prophesied victory, was a strategically vital city, likely located in the Sharon plain (though a Transjordanian Aphek is also possible), renowned as a frequent battleground between Israel and Aram. Furthermore, prophetic actions, such as shooting an arrow or striking the ground, were common and deeply meaningful in ancient Near Eastern cultures and biblical narratives. These performative acts served as tangible, symbolic representations of divine decrees or future events, designed not only to reinforce the prophet's message but also to actively engage the recipient in the unfolding of God's will.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in 2 Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it emphatically highlights the theme of **Divine Deliverance**, portraying God as the ultimate and sovereign source of salvation for His people, even when they are at their weakest and most oppressed. The explicit declaration, "the arrow of the LORD'S deliverance," emphasizes that true victory is not achieved by human might or military prowess alone, but through direct divine intervention. This concept resonates deeply with the theological truths found throughout the Psalms, where God is consistently praised as a deliverer, refuge, and stronghold for His people, as exemplified in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God as My Rock and Deliverer"). Secondly, the passage underscores the theme of **Symbolic Prophecy and Action**, illustrating how God communicates His will and future plans not solely through verbal pronouncements but also through tangible, performative acts. This method serves to solidify the divine promise in the minds of the participants and demands their active engagement. Lastly, and most crucially, the verse lays the groundwork for the profound theme of **Faith and Obedience**. It demonstrates that while God's promises are absolutely certain, their full and complete realization often hinges on human responsiveness, trust, and complete obedience. The promise of consuming the Syrians "till thou have consumed them" implies a total, decisive victory, which, as subsequent verses reveal, was tragically limited by King Joash's partial faith and incomplete actions, thereby illustrating the profound and often challenging connection between human responsibility and the full outpouring of divine blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliverance (Hebrew, _tᵉshûwʻâh'_):** This term (H8668) carries a rich and comprehensive theological meaning, encompassing salvation, rescue, and victory. It denotes not merely an escape from immediate danger but a comprehensive act of liberation, almost always implying direct divine intervention. In this context, its use underscores that the impending victory over Syria is not a result of Israel's military strength or strategic brilliance, but a direct, divinely orchestrated act of rescue by Yahweh. It is explicitly "the arrow of the LORD'S _tᵉshûwʻâh'_," emphasizing God's active and sovereign role as the ultimate deliverer of His people.
* **Shoot (Hebrew, _yârâh'_):** This primitive root (H3384) primarily means "to flow as water" or "to throw," specifically an arrow, hence "to shoot." However, it also carries a significant secondary meaning: "to teach" or "to instruct," from which the Hebrew word _Torah_ (instruction/law) is derived. Here, King Joash's act of shooting the arrow is not just a physical action but a deeply symbolic, prophetic instruction. It is an act of faith and a performative declaration of intent, initiated and directed by God through His prophet. The king's physical act of shooting becomes a participation in God's prophetic declaration, a tangible step in initiating the process of divine deliverance.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This primitive root (H3615) signifies completion, termination, or utter destruction. When Elisha declares "till thou have consumed [them]," it conveys the potential for a total, decisive, and absolute victory over the Syrians, leading to their complete eradication as a significant threat to Israel. The use of _kâlâh'_ emphasizes the potential for an unparalleled triumph, a finality that would permanently secure Israel's freedom and peace, had King Joash fully embraced the prophetic command and acted with unwavering faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Open the window eastward.":** Elisha, acting as God's mouthpiece, issues a precise and deliberate command to King Joash. The specific direction, "eastward," is profoundly significant, symbolizing the direction from which Israel's persistent enemies, particularly the Arameans, typically launched their invasions and attacks. This command is not arbitrary but strategically points to the source of the national threat.
* **"And he opened [it].":** King Joash's immediate and unhesitating obedience in opening the window demonstrates his initial willingness to follow the prophet's instructions. This act of compliance is crucial, as it physically sets the stage for the subsequent prophetic action, indicating a receptiveness to God's revealed will.
* **"Then Elisha said, Shoot.":** Elisha's next command to "Shoot" an arrow further engages the king in a physical, yet deeply symbolic, act. This is not merely a test of the king's obedience but an invitation to participate in a performative declaration of war and victory.
* **"And he shot.":** King Joash's compliance by shooting the arrow transforms a simple weapon into an instrument of prophetic declaration. This physical act, initiated by divine command and executed by the king, serves as a tangible representation of Israel's participation in the divine strategy against its eastern foe.
* **"And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria:":** Following the king's action, Elisha interprets the symbolic act with a powerful divine oracle. He explicitly declares the arrow to be "the arrow of the LORD'S deliverance," unequivocally attributing the source and power of the impending victory directly to Yahweh. The immediate repetition, "and the arrow of deliverance from Syria," precisely clarifies the specific target and purpose of this divine intervention – complete liberation from the oppressive Aramean threat. This statement serves as a profound divine promise and a clear declaration of God's intent to act decisively on Israel's behalf.
* **"for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed [them].":** Elisha concludes by providing the specific details and the full scope of the promised victory. The mention of "Aphek" names the precise location of a decisive battle, a site historically significant for numerous conflicts between Israel and Aram. The concluding phrase, "till thou have consumed [them]," conveys the ultimate magnitude of the promised victory: a complete, utter, and final destruction of the Syrian threat. This clause reveals the full, expansive scope of God's intended blessing for Israel, a blessing that, as the subsequent narrative reveals, was tragically contingent upon the king's continued and unwavering faith and obedience in the prophetic acts that followed.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is exceptionally rich in **Symbolism**, with the arrow serving as a potent and multi-faceted symbol of divine power, judgment, and deliverance. The eastward direction of the window and the arrow symbolizes the direct targeting of the enemy's primary invasion route and the source of Israel's oppression. The entire interaction between Elisha and Joash constitutes a profound **Prophetic Act**, a performative ritual meticulously designed to convey God's message and promise in a tangible, memorable, and participatory way, a common and powerful method employed by Old Testament prophets like Elisha, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Elisha's declaration, "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance," is a direct **Divine Oracle**, an authoritative pronouncement from God delivered through His chosen prophet, guaranteeing His active involvement and the certainty of His redemptive purpose. Furthermore, the inherent conditional nature implied by the phrase "till thou have consumed them" and the subsequent narrative detailing King Joash's partial obedience in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2_kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - The King's Partial Obedience") creates a powerful sense of **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The audience, privy to the full scope of God's intended blessing, is aware that the ultimate potential of the promise was tragically unfulfilled due to human failure, highlighting the profound consequences of incomplete faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in their moments of weakness, unfaithfulness, or severe oppression. It unequivocally demonstrates that divine deliverance is not merely an abstract theological concept but a tangible, active reality that God orchestrates through human instruments. The conditional nature of the "consuming" victory, however, highlights a crucial theological principle: while God's sovereign will to bless and redeem is absolute, the *extent* and *fullness* of that blessing can be significantly influenced by human faith, obedience, and perseverance. God, in His gracious design, invites human partnership in the unfolding of His redemptive purposes, and our participation—or lack thereof—can profoundly determine the full measure of His intended favor. This dynamic tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring and vital theme woven throughout the entire tapestry of biblical history, from the covenant with Abraham to the New Testament's call for active faith.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1-2 "Blessings for Obedience")
* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7-8 "Success Through Obedience to the Law")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "Be Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant scene between the dying prophet Elisha and King Joash serves as a timeless and powerful reminder that God passionately desires to deliver His people from their oppressors, whether these be external foes, internal struggles, or spiritual bondage. He frequently initiates His work of deliverance through clear instructions, prophetic words, or symbolic acts, always inviting our active and willing participation. The profound tragedy of Joash's limited victory, which is starkly revealed in the subsequent verses, powerfully underscores the critical importance of not just initial obedience, but *complete*, *persistent*, and *unwavering* obedience. We are called not merely to begin the race of faith, but to run it with endurance, pressing into the full measure of God's promises with wholehearted devotion. This passage serves as a sobering warning: our partial obedience can lead to partial blessings, thereby limiting the very victory and abundant life God intends for us. It challenges us to honestly examine areas in our lives where we might be holding back, where we have commenced an act of faith but have not seen it through to its full, God-ordained conclusion. Ultimately, this passage calls us to trust implicitly in the "arrow of the LORD'S deliverance" and to act with unwavering faith and relentless perseverance until the enemy is truly "consumed" and God's full victory is realized in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently seeking God's deliverance, and how might my partial obedience or lack of perseverance be limiting the full scope of His work?**
* **What "eastward windows" (areas of vulnerability, persistent challenges, or spiritual battles) has God called me to open in faith, and what "arrows" (specific actions, commitments, or declarations) has He instructed me to shoot?**
* **How does the concept of God inviting human partnership in the unfolding of His redemptive plans challenge or affirm my current understanding of divine sovereignty and human responsibility?**
* **What practical, concrete steps can I take today to move from partial obedience to a more complete, persistent, and unwavering faith in an area where God has clearly given me a promise or a command?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "eastward" direction so important for shooting the arrow in this prophetic act?**

Answer: The eastward direction was profoundly important and strategically crucial for Elisha's prophetic instruction to King Joash. Historically, the Arameans (Syrians), who were Israel's primary and most devastating oppressors at this time, typically launched their invasions from the east. Their military campaigns often involved crossing the Jordan River and entering Israel through regions like Gilead or the Jezreel Valley, which lay to the east. By instructing King Joash to open the window eastward and shoot the arrow in that precise direction, Elisha was symbolically and prophetically directing God's deliverance and judgment specifically against the source of Israel's most significant military and national threat. It was a powerful, performative declaration of war and victory aimed directly at the enemy's point of entry, signifying that God would meet them where they attacked and grant Israel triumph over their long-standing adversaries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "arrow of the LORD'S deliverance" in 2 Kings 13:17 finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Elisha's prophetic act promised a temporal, limited deliverance from a geopolitical foe, Christ embodies the definitive and everlasting deliverance from the far greater enemies of sin, death, and the power of darkness. Just as the arrow was a potent symbol of God's power directed against an earthly adversary, so Jesus, through His crucifixion and resurrection, became the ultimate instrument of God's decisive and comprehensive victory over all spiritual adversaries. He is the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice provides complete atonement. His redemptive work on the cross was not a partial smiting but a complete "consuming" of the power of sin, as our old self was [crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified"), and a triumphant victory over death, ensuring that [death has been swallowed up in victory](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Victory Over Death"). Unlike King Joash's limited and partial obedience, Christ's obedience was perfect, complete, and unwavering, even to the point of death on a cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). This perfect obedience led to the full and unhindered realization of God's redemptive plan for all humanity. The deliverances promised in the Old Testament, often partial and temporary, consistently point forward to the comprehensive and everlasting salvation secured by Christ, who has [disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). In Him, the "arrow of the LORD'S deliverance" has pierced the very heart of evil, ensuring a final, eternal, and all-encompassing victory for all who are united with Him by faith.

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

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.