2 Kings 13 17

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.

2 Kings 13:17 nkjv

And he said, "Open the east window"; 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 you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them."

2 Kings 13:17 niv

"Open the east window," he said, and he opened it. "Shoot!" Elisha said, and he shot. "The LORD's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!" Elisha declared. "You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek."

2 Kings 13:17 esv

And he said, "Open the window eastward," and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot," and he shot. And he said, "The LORD's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them."

2 Kings 13:17 nlt

Then he commanded, "Open that eastern window," and he opened it. Then he said, "Shoot!" So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, "This is the LORD's arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek."

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 17 Meaning

This verse recounts a significant symbolic act performed by King Joash of Israel at the dying prophet Elisha's command. Elisha instructs Joash to open an eastern window, then to shoot an arrow through it. This act is immediately declared by Elisha to be "the arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria." It prophetically assures Joash that God will grant Israel victory over the Arameans (Syrians) at Aphek, leading to their consumption or utter defeat. It signifies that the coming victory is not of human strength but a divine act facilitated through a king's obedience to God's prophet.

2 Kings 13 17 Context

This verse is found within 2 Kings chapter 13, a significant passage chronicling the final ministry and death of Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. At this point, Elisha is gravely ill, close to death. King Joash of Israel (not Judah), whose reign (2 Kings 13:10-25) was marked by evil in the LORD's sight yet who still sought Elisha in his distress, visits the prophet. Israel has been suffering severe oppression under the Aramean (Syrian) kings Hazael and his son Ben-hadad (2 Kgs 13:3, 7, 22). Elisha’s instructions to Joash concerning the arrow are a profound prophetic act intended to inspire faith and promise victory to a struggling king and nation, emphasizing that despite Israel's failures, God's promise of deliverance remained available if they would act in faith. The full impact of Joash's action (or lack thereof, specifically in the subsequent verse 18) reveals his limited faith, leading to only partial victory instead of complete triumph over Syria. The setting in Elisha's death chamber underscores the passing of divine authority and the continued expectation for kings to respond to God's word through His prophets.

2 Kings 13 17 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to Elisha. Highlights Elisha's active role as the instigator and instructor of the prophetic sign.
• Open the window eastward: (Original Hebrew: Peṯaḥ haḥallōn qēdəmâ). "Eastward" (קֵ֫דְמָה qēdəmâ) signifies the direction of Aram/Syria, the oppressor, located northeast of Israel. It also points toward the direction of the rising sun, symbolizing the dawn of God's victory or divine judgment emanating from God. It might also be polemical, signifying God's power transcending local deities and controlling the direction from which an attack or salvation comes.
• And he opened it: Joash's immediate obedience to Elisha's initial instruction, demonstrating a measure of faith and willingness to engage.
• Then Elisha said, Shoot: This command moves beyond opening the window to a decisive, active step. The Hebrew verb for "shoot" (yārāh) also means to teach, direct, or throw, implying a directed action.
• And he shot: Joash's execution of the command, physically performing the symbolic act.
• The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance: (Hebrew: Ḥēṣ-yĕšūʿat Yahweh).
  • Arrow (חֵץ ḥēṣ): A weapon, symbolizing power, swiftness, and judgment or victory. It's not just a physical arrow, but a conduit for divine action.
  • LORD'S (יְהוָה Yahweh): Emphasizes that the deliverance originates with God, not Joash's military skill. This is divine enablement.
  • Deliverance (יְשׁוּעָה yĕšūʿāh): Literally "salvation," "rescue," or "victory." It denotes comprehensive liberation from distress or oppression. This arrow is consecrated as the instrument and sign of God's saving power.
• And the arrow of deliverance from Syria: Reiteration for clarity, specifying the object of the deliverance – freedom from Syrian oppression. This immediately ties the divine promise to the nation's specific and immediate crisis.
• for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek: This provides the prophetic interpretation and consequence of the symbolic act.
  • Aphek (אֲפֵק ʾĂfēq): A strategically important city. There were several Apheks. The most probable location here is one in the Jezreel Valley or Sharon Plain, often a battleground between Israel and its enemies, including previously against the Philistines (1 Sam 4:1) and the Syrians (1 Kgs 20:26). Mentioning the specific location solidifies the promise, providing a tangible place for victory.
• till thou have consumed them: (Hebrew: ʿad kalēʾôtām). "Consumed" suggests utter defeat and complete destruction of their military power in the given context. It speaks to a definitive end to the threat.

Words-group analysis:

• "Open the window eastward" and "Shoot": These are direct commands requiring immediate obedience. They symbolize actions that channel God's intention and power. The eastward direction points to the enemy and God's plan against them.
• "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria": This phrase definitively connects the physical act of shooting the arrow with a spiritual reality – it is God's power manifested for Israel's specific freedom from a specific oppressor. It moves beyond a mere symbol to a prophetic declaration of future fact, establishing divine purpose for a human action. The repetition for emphasis underlines the certainty and double nature (general divine deliverance, specific deliverance from Syria).
• "for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them": This is the divine interpretation and outcome. The prophecy makes it clear that the victory is conditional on divine enablement but dependent on the human participation (smiting). "Consume" implies total, decisive victory, removing the Syrian threat permanently or significantly crippling them, depending on the full extent of Joash's follow-up.

2 Kings 13 17 Bonus section

The choice of an arrow for a prophetic sign in battle contexts is seen elsewhere in the Old Testament, for example, the "arrow of salvation" for Babylon's fall (Jer 50:9). It embodies swift and decisive action, divine judgment, or deliverance. This event serves as a microcosm of how God often works: through humble, obedient acts, He reveals and achieves His greater purposes. Joash's immediate response to shoot the first arrow implies a measure of initial obedience and belief, contrasting with his subsequent reluctance to strike the ground multiple times in verse 18, which limited the extent of his victory. The emphasis on "the LORD'S deliverance" reminds Israel that their strength comes from reliance on God, not their own military might, a recurring theme in Israelite history. This prophecy given on Elisha's deathbed underscored the enduring covenant faithfulness of God to Israel, even when they strayed.

2 Kings 13 17 Commentary

2 Kings 13:17 portrays a dying Elisha using an object lesson to impart a critical prophetic message to King Joash, burdened by Syrian oppression. The act of opening the eastern window and shooting an arrow through it was not arbitrary; it was a visible representation of an invisible spiritual reality: God's sovereign intent to deliver Israel from Aram. Elisha declared the arrow to be "the arrow of the LORD’S deliverance," thereby shifting the focus from human capability or Joash's limited resources to the boundless power and faithfulness of Yahweh. The promise was concrete, pinpointing "Aphek" as the site of future victory and foretelling the "consumption" of the Syrian forces, signifying a decisive end to their dominance. This entire encounter served as a final call to faith and vigorous action from Elisha to Joash, setting the stage for the crucial next steps that would reveal the depth of Joash's faith and determine the scope of Israel's salvation.