Bible Strands
2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha addresses the LORD after reassuring his young servant not to fear the surrounding Aramean army. The prayer occurs while the young man remains present to witness the subsequent divine action.
The words — The Hebrew verb פְּקַח־ (peḵaḥ-) means "open," combined with the particle נָא (nā', "please"), forms the direct request to reveal what is hidden. The phrase עֵינַי/ו ('ênay/w) literally denotes "his eyes," specifying the exact organ to be restored to function.
The thread — The vision of hills filled with horses and chariots of fire aligns with the encampment promise in Psalms 34:7 and the chariot host described in Psalms 68:17 and Zechariah 6:1. These passages document recurring scriptural imagery of divine forces positioned around the faithful.
Why it lands — The text records a literal divine intervention that restores physical sight to perceive spiritual reality. It requires the reader to acknowledge that visible circumstances do not determine the actual balance of power.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Psalms 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.
- Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
- Zechariah 6:1 And again I lifted up my eyes and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze.
- Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- 2 Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
- Isaiah 42:7 to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.
- Matthew 26:53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
- Psalms 91:11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.