Bible Strands
2 Kings 6:18
As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha speaks to the LORD as the Aramean army descends against him. He prays for immediate divine intervention before the confrontation begins.
The words — The text highlights הַךְ (hakh), meaning "strike," and וַ/יִּתְפַּלֵּל (va/i.yit.pa.Lel), meaning "and he prayed." These terms frame Elisha’s direct request and the LORD’s immediate compliance.
The thread — This motif of divine blindness appears in Acts 13:11, where a temporary strike enforces judgment, and Genesis 19:11, where angels strike the men at the city entrance. John 12:40 contrasts this with permanent spiritual blindness and a hardened heart.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine power operates independently of human military strength. It calls the reader to rely on prayer and obedience when facing overwhelming opposition.
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 when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Cross-references
- Acts 13:11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
- John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
- Genesis 19:11 And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.
- John 9:39 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”
- Deuteronomy 28:28 The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind,
- Job 5:14 They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.
- Zechariah 12:4 On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and every rider with madness. I will keep a watchful eye on the house of Judah, but I will strike with blindness all the horses of the nations.
- Romans 11:7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,