2 Kings 6:20 kjv
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
2 Kings 6:20 nkjv
So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
2 Kings 6:20 niv
After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
2 Kings 6:20 esv
As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, "O LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
2 Kings 6:20 nlt
As soon as they had entered Samaria, Elisha prayed, "O LORD, now open their eyes and let them see." So the LORD opened their eyes, and they discovered that they were in the middle of Samaria.
2 Kings 6 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 6:17 | And Elisha prayed... "Lord, open his eyes...". And the Lord opened... | God opens physical/spiritual eyes for protection. |
| 2 Kgs 6:18 | Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike this army with blindness." So He struck.. | God uses blindness as a divine tool. |
| Gen 19:11 | They struck the men at the entrance... with blindness... | God can use blindness to hinder foes. |
| Ps 146:8 | The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed.. | God's compassionate act of giving sight. |
| Isa 6:9-10 | "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding... make their ears dull, and close their eyes..’" | God can harden hearts and blind eyes as judgment. |
| Isa 42:18 | Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see. | A call for spiritual sight/hearing. |
| Isa 42:20 | Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear. | Spiritual blindness despite physical sight. |
| Jer 5:21 | 'Hear now this, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not..'" | Spiritual insensitivity and failure to perceive God. |
| Mt 13:13-15 | "Therefore I speak to them in parables... ‘Seeing they do not see... For the hearts of this people have grown dull..’" | Echoes Isa 6, regarding spiritual blindness to truth. |
| Jn 9:39 | And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." | Christ's mission brings spiritual sight to some and exposes blindness in others. |
| Acts 9:18 | Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight... | Divine restoration of physical sight after spiritual blindness. |
| Rom 11:8 | "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear..’" | Spiritual blindness as a consequence for rejection. |
| 2 Cor 3:14-16 | ...their minds were blinded... whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. | The veil of unbelief causes spiritual blindness. |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light.. | Satan's role in spiritual blindness. |
| Eph 1:18 | I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... | Prayer for spiritual understanding/sight. |
| Ps 33:10 | The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations... | God's sovereignty over human schemes. |
| Pr 21:30-31 | There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel against the Lord... The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. | Divine control transcends human strength. |
| 1 Kgs 18:36-39 | Elijah prayed... "answer me, Lord, answer me..." Fire fell and consumed... | The power of a prophet's prayer to God. |
| Jam 5:16-18 | The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working... Elijah was a human being like us... he prayed.. and it did not rain for three and a half years. | Emphasizes the power of fervent prayer. |
| Pr 25:21-22 | If your enemy is hungry, give him bread... For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. | Principles of treating enemies kindly, leading to blessing. |
| Rom 12:20 | Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink..." | New Testament emphasis on kindness to enemies. |
| Lk 6:27-28 | "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." | Jesus' command to love and bless enemies. |
2 Kings 6 verses
2 Kings 6 20 Meaning
2 Kings 6:20 describes a pivotal moment when the Aramean soldiers, miraculously blinded by Elisha’s prayer and led into the heart of Samaria, have their sight restored by divine intervention at Elisha’s subsequent request. This verse signifies God's direct and supernatural control over human perception, revealing the Lord's power to manipulate reality for His divine purposes and to demonstrate His sovereignty. It underscores the prophet Elisha's unique spiritual authority and intimate connection with Yahweh, who answers his prayers both to obscure and to clarify vision.
2 Kings 6 20 Context
This verse is embedded in the narrative of Elisha's miraculous interventions during the ongoing conflicts between Israel (specifically, the Northern Kingdom) and Aram (Syria). Chapters 5 and 6 of 2 Kings highlight Elisha's significant role in Israel's defense, often countering the king's despair. Prior to this verse, the Aramean army repeatedly tried to capture Elisha, as he would divinely reveal their battle plans to the king of Israel. Exasperated, the Aramean king sent a large army to Dothan, where Elisha resided (2 Kgs 6:13-14). When Elisha's servant was terrified by the encircling forces, Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened to see the angelic chariots of fire defending them (2 Kgs 6:15-17). Then, as the Aramean army advanced, Elisha prayed to the Lord to strike them with blindness, and they were supernaturally afflicted (2 Kgs 6:18). Elisha, appearing as an Israelite guide, then led this deluded, blinded army directly into the heart of Samaria, the capital city of Israel, effectively trapping them without a fight (2 Kgs 6:19). Verse 20 describes the climax of this incredible divine maneuver.
Historically, this period (9th century BCE) saw frequent skirmishes and wars between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. The cultural context would recognize the extraordinary nature of such a feat, which defied all military logic and demonstrated a God who directly intervened in battles, not through conventional armies, but through miraculous manipulation of human senses and events.
2 Kings 6 20 Word analysis
And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said,
- And it came to pass: A common biblical introductory phrase, "וַיְהִי" (vayhi), indicating a transition or a significant event unfolding. It signals the continuity of God's unfolding plan.
- when they were come into Samaria: Specifies the precise geographical and strategic culmination of Elisha's supernatural leading. "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן - Shomron) was the capital and the heart of Israel, a place of maximum vulnerability for the enemy, emphasizing their complete helplessness.
- that Elisha said: Underscores the prophet's initiative and reliance on prayer rather than physical force.
Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.
- Lord: The divine name, יְהוָה (Yahweh), indicating the covenant God of Israel. Elisha addresses God intimately, relying on His specific character and power.
- open the eyes: The Hebrew "פְּקַח֙ עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙" (pəqaḥ ʿênêhem). "Paqah" (פָּקַח) means "to open," often specifically applied to eyes (e.g., of the blind). This echoes Elisha's prior prayer for his servant (2 Kgs 6:17) and starkly contrasts with his earlier prayer to "strike... with blindness" (2 Kgs 6:18), showcasing God's absolute control over perception. This is not merely a physical act but a restoration from a divinely induced sensory deprivation.
- of these men: Refers to the Aramean soldiers, identifying them as the direct beneficiaries of the miraculous sight restoration.
- that they may see: "וְיִרְאֽוּ" (vəyir'u). The Hebrew "ra'ah" (רָאָה) means "to see." This clause explicitly states the purpose of the prayer: for their sight to be restored so they can perceive their immediate environment, a perception they were miraculously deprived of.
And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
- And the LORD opened their eyes: Confirms the immediate divine response to Elisha's prayer. This highlights God's swift and direct action, reaffirming His sovereignty and omnipotence. It is not Elisha who opens their eyes, but God.
- and they saw: Directly states the outcome of God's intervention – their sight was restored. This is simple, direct, and conclusive.
- and, behold: The Hebrew "וְהִנֵּ֖ה" (vəhinnēh) functions as an exclamation or a dramatic intensifier, equivalent to "and look!" or "and indeed!" It highlights the surprise and impactful realization of their situation.
- they were in the midst of Samaria: Emphasizes the astonishing reality of their predicament. They were not merely "in" Samaria but "in the midst," suggesting they were deep within the enemy's stronghold, utterly exposed and vulnerable. This shocking realization would have a profound psychological impact on the Arameans.
2 Kings 6 20 Bonus section
This incident showcases God's non-violent methods of victory. Instead of slaughtering the Aramean army, which the Israelite king Jehoram was ready to do (2 Kgs 6:21), God's strategy, guided by Elisha, was one of humiliation and overwhelming kindness. The divine control over vision – first blinding, then restoring sight – is a dramatic illustration of God’s complete authority over creation. It also sets the stage for an unparalleled demonstration of compassion towards enemies, aligning with deeper biblical principles found in Proverbs 25:21-22, and later in Jesus' teachings (Luke 6:27-28, Rom 12:20), where showing kindness to foes can "heap coals of fire on their heads," meaning to shame them into repentance or at least diffuse hostility. The supernatural nature of the blindness implies that it was more than just a physical impairment; it was a divine illusion that guided their very steps into a trap, underscoring the spiritual dimensions of warfare in biblical understanding.
2 Kings 6 20 Commentary
2 Kings 6:20 reveals God's absolute sovereignty over human senses and circumstances, enacted through the prayer of His prophet. It climaxes the narrative of Elisha's subtle but powerful intervention against the Arameans. The verse marks the transition from a state of supernatural delusion to stark reality for the Aramean army. God not only granted blindness but precisely chose when to lift it, leading the enemy to realize their utter vulnerability in the heart of Israel’s capital. This act underscores divine omnipotence and Elisha's standing as a true prophet of Yahweh. It demonstrates that God's ways are higher than man's; strategic victory is achieved not through conventional warfare, but by supernatural manipulation of perception, ultimately preparing the ground for an unexpected act of mercy in the subsequent verses (feeding the enemy). The narrative also powerfully contrasts physical sight with spiritual understanding—the Arameans gain physical sight only to realize their desperate plight, while Elisha and his servant possess spiritual sight into God's protective power all along.