2 Kings 6:17 kjv
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 nkjv
And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 niv
And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 esv
Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 nlt
Then Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!" The LORD opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
2 Kings 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. | Divine angelic protection. |
| Psa 91:11 | For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. | Angels commanded for protection. |
| Heb 1:14 | Are not all angels ministering spirits sent out to serve... | Angels as ministering spirits. |
| Psa 68:17 | The chariots of God are twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands... | God's multitude of chariots/forces. |
| 2 Kgs 2:11 | ...Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it... | Chariots of fire as divine transport/presence. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's reassurance against fear. |
| Psa 27:3 | Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear... | Trust in God despite visible threats. |
| Eph 1:18 | ...that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... | Prayer for spiritual enlightenment. |
| Psa 119:18 | Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. | Prayer for spiritual understanding of truth. |
| Lk 24:31 | When he was at the table with them, he took the bread...opened their eyes. | Spiritual eyes opened to recognize Christ. |
| 2 Cor 4:18 | While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things... | Focus on unseen eternal realities. |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden... | God answers prayer, revealing hidden things. |
| Mt 7:7 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock... | God's promise to answer prayer. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation...present... | Peace from God despite anxieties. |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine... | Spiritual warfare, divine weapons. |
| Dan 10:13 | The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days... | Angelic battle in unseen realm. |
| Lk 2:13 | Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host... | Revelation of heavenly host. |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can... | God's sovereignty and unbeatable support. |
| Deut 3:22 | You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you. | God as the warrior for His people. |
| Ps 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will... | God's presence overcoming fear. |
| Jn 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | Light (spiritual insight) overcoming darkness. |
| Psa 4:8 | In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell... | Security in God amidst trouble. |
2 Kings 6 verses
2 Kings 6 17 Meaning
2 Kings 6:17 recounts a pivotal moment where the prophet Elisha prays for his frightened servant, Gehazi, that God would open his spiritual eyes to see the unseen divine army protecting them. The LORD immediately answers this prayer, revealing a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire encircling Elisha, demonstrating God's overwhelming presence and power safeguarding His people against the visible threat of the Syrian army.
2 Kings 6 17 Context
The preceding verses (2 Kings 6:8-16) describe the King of Aram's repeated attempts to ambush the King of Israel, only to have his plans thwarted by Elisha, who supernaturally reveals them. Enraged, the Aramean king dispatches a great army with horses and chariots to Dothan, where Elisha is residing, intending to capture him. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, awakes to see the city surrounded by the formidable Syrian force and cries out in fear, believing their situation is hopeless. This desperate moment of human fear and limited perception sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention through Elisha's prayer. The context highlights the clash between human visible reality and the unseen divine reality.
2 Kings 6 17 Word analysis
- And Elisha prayed: Highlights prayer as the essential channel for divine intervention and revelation. It emphasizes Elisha's calm faith and reliance on God rather than human strategies or might in the face of overwhelming odds.
- LORD: Hebrew, Yahweh (יהוה), God's covenant name. This signifies God as the ever-present, self-existent, powerful God of Israel who acts in history. It invokes His personal involvement and mighty acts.
- I pray thee, open his eyes: The Hebrew verb is paqach (פקח), meaning to open (especially eyes, to gain sight). This is not a physical eye condition but a spiritual request for clarity of perception, to see beyond the natural into the supernatural realm. It's an internal revelation, not merely external observation.
- that he may see: The purpose clause, explaining why Elisha prayed for open eyes—so Gehazi could perceive the divine reality surrounding them, thus overcoming his fear rooted in limited sight.
- And the LORD opened the eyes: Immediate divine response to Elisha's prayer, underscoring God's willingness to reveal His power and protection. The act is God's direct intervention, not Elisha's inherent power.
- the young man: Hebrew, hana'ar (הנער), referring to Elisha's servant, Gehazi. He represents human weakness and fear when confronted with seemingly insurmountable natural challenges without divine insight.
- and he saw: A confirmation that the prayer was answered and the spiritual vision granted, providing tangible reassurance.
- and, behold, the mountain was full: Hebrew, male' (מלא), implying completeness, overflowing. The visual presented is one of overwhelming abundance of divine protection. "Behold" (hinneh, הנה) draws attention to a remarkable and sudden revelation.
- of horses and chariots of fire: Powerful military imagery representing God's divine host. "Fire" signifies their supernatural, radiant, and pure nature. These are not earthly instruments of war but heavenly forces, embodying divine power and might, akin to God's presence or angelic armies (Ps 68:17, 2 Kgs 2:11). They demonstrate a greater power than any human army.
- round about Elisha: The divine forces are not merely present but are surrounding Eisha and Gehazi, signifying complete and impregnable protection, far outnumbering the Aramean host that had encircled them. This reveals God's meticulous care.
2 Kings 6 17 Bonus section
The concept of "horses and chariots of fire" in this verse directly echoes the description of Elijah's departure to heaven (2 Kings 2:11-12), linking Elisha's ministry and divine support directly to that of his powerful predecessor. It serves to authenticate Elisha's prophetic authority and God's consistent way of demonstrating His might through fire and heavenly armies. This also reminds us that spiritual warfare is very real; while we do not fight against "flesh and blood," but against "spiritual forces of evil" (Eph 6:12), God's host is always greater than any opposing force, visible or invisible. This story beautifully illustrates that sometimes, God's intervention is not removing the enemy but simply revealing His superior presence that dwarfs the threat. It encourages believers to pray not only for external deliverance but often, more importantly, for internal spiritual sight.
2 Kings 6 17 Commentary
2 Kings 6:17 presents a profound lesson on the reality of the unseen spiritual world and God's ever-present protection for His faithful servants. The servant Gehazi's initial fear, born from observing only the overwhelming visible enemy, stands in stark contrast to Elisha's unwavering faith. Elisha understands that a greater reality exists beyond human perception. His prayer for Gehazi is not for deliverance from the situation but for spiritual revelation, seeking an inner sight that perceives the divine realm. God's immediate response by opening Gehazi's eyes to see the fiery horses and chariots reveals that the forces for God were far more numerous and powerful than the opposing army. This account serves as a timeless assurance that believers are not left alone against the trials of life; unseen heavenly armies are active, providing protection and ministering on God's behalf. It teaches us to look beyond apparent circumstances to discern the hand of God at work and to pray for spiritual discernment, understanding that our true strength and security lie not in our physical defenses but in the omnipotent presence of the LORD. The visible might of man is often overshadowed by the invisible power of God.