What does 2 Kings 6:17 mean?
"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
2 Kings 6:17 (KJV) states, "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."
This verse comes from a powerful and dramatic story in the Old Testament, during a time when Elisha, the prophet of God, was being pursued by the king of Aram. Each time the king made plans to attack the Israelites, Elisha would receive revelation from God and warn the king of Israel, thereby thwarting the king of Aram's plans.
In this particular instance, the king of Aram became so frustrated with Elisha's ability to anticipate his moves that he decided to send a huge army to capture Elisha and his servant. When Elisha's servant saw the vast army surrounding them, he was overcome with fear. But Elisha prayed, and asked God to open the eyes of his servant so that he could see the spiritual realm. The Lord answered Elisha's prayer, and the servant's eyes were opened to see that the mountain was filled with horses and chariots of fire, representing the angelic army of God, surrounding Elisha and offering him protection.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual realities that exist beyond our physical senses. It illustrates the existence of the spiritual realm, where angels and spiritual forces are at work, often unseen by human eyes. The chariots of fire and horses are symbols of God's divine protection and power, and they serve as a source of comfort and reassurance to Elisha and his servant.
This verse also highlights the importance of faith and trust in God's protection and provision. Despite the visible threat of the enemy army, Elisha remained steadfast in his faith, knowing that God's angelic army was present to protect him. His prayer for his servant's eyes to be opened demonstrated his deep trust in God's ability to reveal the spiritual reality that was hidden from human sight. This serves as a reminder for believers to continue to trust in God's unseen work even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, this story emphasizes the power of prayer and the role of the prophet as a mediator between God and humanity. Elisha's prayer for his servant's eyes to be opened was answered, demonstrating the effectiveness of a prophet's intercession on behalf of others. It also serves as an encouragement for believers to rely on the power of prayer in times of trouble, knowing that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
The context of this story is also significant, as it takes place during a time of political tension and war between the Israelites and the Arameans. The presence of the angelic army surrounding Elisha serves as a reminder that God is ultimately in control of the affairs of humanity, even amidst the chaos and violence of war. This provides hope and reassurance to believers that God's sovereign power transcends the troubles and conflicts of the world.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 6:17 is a powerful and impactful verse that offers deep insight into the spiritual realities of God's protection and provision. It serves as a source of encouragement for believers to trust in God's unseen work, to rely on the power of prayer, and to have faith in God's ultimate sovereignty over the affairs of the world. The symbolism of the angelic army and the themes of faith, trust, and prayer make this verse a timeless and profound reminder of God's presence and power in the midst of life's challenges.
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2 Kings 6:17 – "And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes."
"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
2 Kings 6:17 - "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 Lexicon: Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. that he may see." 2009: lo! behold! Elisha. (e·li·sha.)
"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
2 Kings 17:6 - "¶ In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes."
1 Kings 6:17 - "And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long."
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 kings 6:24
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
"And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long." - 1 Kings 6:17
1 Kings 17:6 - "And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
Genesis 17:6 - "And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee."
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 6:16 - "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."