2 Kings 13:17
New International Version
“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

New Living Translation
Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the LORD’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.”

English Standard Version
And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”

King James Bible
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

New King James Version
And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, and the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have put an end to them.

NASB 1995
He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “Yahweh’s arrow of salvation, even the arrow of salvation over Aram; for you will strike the Arameans at Aphek until you have consumed them.”

Amplified Bible
And he said, “Open the window to the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And Elisha said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram (Syria); for you will strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

Christian Standard Bible
Elisha said, “Open the east window.” So he opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot! ” So he shot. Then Elisha said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, yes, the arrow of victory over Aram. You are to strike down the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Elisha said, “Open the east window.” So he opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. Then Elisha said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, yes, the arrow of victory over Aram. You are to strike down the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Open the window eastward; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. And he said, Jehovah's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said: “Open the window toward the East.” And he opened it. And Elisha said to him: “Shoot!” And he shot an arrow, and he said: “The arrow of redemption of LORD JEHOVAH and an arrow of redemption in Edom, and you shall strike the Edomites in Aphaq until you finish them!”

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. And Elisaie said, Shoot. And he shot. And Elisaie said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; and thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphec until thou have consumed them.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "Open the window facing east." When it was open, Elisha shouted, "Now shoot!" Jehoash shot an arrow and Elisha said, "That arrow is a sign that the LORD will help you completely defeat the Syrian army at Aphek."

Douay-Rheims Bible
And said: Open the window to the east. And when he had opened it, Eliseus said: Shoot an arrow. And he shot. And Eliseus said: The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of the deliverance from Syria: and thou shalt strike the Syrians in Aphec, till thou consume them.

English Revised Version
And he said, Open the window eastward: and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot: and he shot. And he said, The LORD'S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elisha said, "Open the window that faces east." So the king opened it. "Shoot," Elisha said, and the king shot. Then Elisha said, "That is the arrow of the LORD's victory, the arrow of victory against Aram. You will completely defeat the Arameans at Aphek."

Good News Translation
Then, following the prophet's instructions, the king opened the window that faced toward Syria. "Shoot the arrow!" Elisha ordered. As soon as the king shot the arrow, the prophet exclaimed, "You are the LORD's arrow, with which he will win victory over Syria. You will fight the Syrians in Aphek until you defeat them."

International Standard Version
and ordered him, "Open a window that faces east." So he did so. Elisha ordered him, "Shoot!" So he shot. Then Elisha said, "This is the LORD's arrow of victory—the victory arrow against Aram, because you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you will have utterly finished them off."

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Open the window eastward'; and he opened it. Then Elisha said: 'Shoot'; and he shot. And he said: 'The LORD'S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory against Aram; for thou shalt smite the Arameans in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.'

Literal Standard Version
and says, “Open the window eastward”; and he opens, and Elisha says, “Shoot,” and he shoots; and he says, “An arrow of salvation from YHWH, and an arrow of salvation against Aram, and you have struck Aram, in Aphek, until consuming.”

Majority Standard Bible
“Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”

New American Bible
and said, “Open the window toward the east.” He opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. He said, “An arrow of victory for the LORD! An arrow of victory over Aram! You will beat Aram at Aphek and finish him!”

NET Bible
Elisha said, "Open the east window," and he did so. Elisha said, "Shoot!" and he did so. Elisha said, "This arrow symbolizes the victory the LORD will give you over Syria. You will annihilate Syria in Aphek!"

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said, “Open the window eastward”; and he opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. Then he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram! For you shall fight the Arameans in Aphek until you have made an end of them.”

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Open the window eastward"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot." and he shot. He said, "The LORD's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek, until you have consumed them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou hast consumed them.

World English Bible
He said, “Open the window eastward;” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. He said, “Yahweh’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you will strike the Syrians in Aphek until you have consumed them.”

Young's Literal Translation
and saith, 'Open the window eastward;' and he openeth, and Elisha saith, 'Shoot,' and he shooteth; and he saith, 'An arrow of salvation to Jehovah, and an arrow of salvation against Aram, and thou hast smitten Aram, in Aphek, till consuming.'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha's Final Prophecy
16Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17“Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.” 18Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped.…

Cross References
Joshua 12:18
the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;

1 Kings 20:26
In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.

2 Kings 13:16
Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands.

2 Kings 13:18
Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows!" So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground!" So he struck the ground three times and stopped.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for you shall smite the Syrians in Aphek, till you have consumed them.

Open

2 Kings 5:10-14
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean…

John 2:5-8
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it

John 11:39-41
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days…

Exodus 4:2,17
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod…

Judges 7:9-20
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand…

2 Samuel 5:24
And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

Aphek

1 Samuel 4:1
And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

1 Kings 20:26
And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.

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2 Kings 13
1. Jehoahaz's wicked reign
3. Jehoahaz, oppressed by Hazael, is relieved by prayer
8. Joash succeeds him
10. His wicked reign
12. Jeroboam succeeds him
14. Elisha dying, prophesies to Joash three victories over the Syrians
20. The Moabites invading the land, Elisha's bones raise a dead man.
22. Joash gets three victories over Ben-hadad














(17) The window.--Or, lattice. Probably a lattice opening outwards.

Eastward.--In the direction of Gilead, which was occupied by the Syrians (2Kings 10:33).

Shoot.--The old illustration of declaring war by shooting an arrow into the enemy's country ('n. ix. 57) is not without bearing on this case, though it obviously does not exhaust the meaning of the act.

(17) And he said--i.e., Elisha said.

The arrow of the Lord's . . . Syria.--Literally, An arrow of victory for Jehovah, and an arrow of victory over Aram!

In Aphek.--Joshua 13:4; 1Kings 20:26. The scene of former defeats was to become that of triumph. . . .

Verse 17. - And he said, Open the window. Though glass was unknown, or at any rate not applied to windows, yet the windows of sitting-rooms, and still more of bedrooms, had latticed shutters, which partially excluded the light and the air, and could be opened and closed at pleasure (see the comment on 2 Kings 1:2). The prophet ordered the shutter to be opened, that the king might shoot from the window. He addressed, not the king, whose hands were both engaged, but his own servant, or one of the royal attendants. Eastward. Not so much in the direction of Syria, which was north-east of the Israelite territory, as in the direction of Gilead and Bashan, which had been the scene of Hazael's victories (2 Kings 10:33), and was now to be the scene of his reverses. Aphek lay almost duo east of Shunem, where it is probable that Elisha was. And he opened it; or, and one opened it, or they opened it. The Hebrew idiom allows of this indefinite use of the third person singular. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he - i.e. Elisha - said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; rather, an arrow. "This is," the prophet meant to say, "an arrow symbolical of deliverance about to come from Jehovah, of deliverance from the cruel oppression of the Syrians" - and not merely of deliverance, but of victory. For thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek. The Aphek intended is probably that which lay east of the Sea of Galilee, at the distance of about three miles, in lat. 32° 49' nearly. This place was on the direct route between Samaria and Damascus, and had already been the scene of one great victory gained by Israel over Syria (1 Kings 20:26-30). The site is marked by the modern village of Fik. Till thou have consumed them; literally, till consuming - i.e., till the army which thou shalt defeat at that place is destroyed utterly. We have no account of the fulfillment of this prophecy, but may regard the defeat as one of those touched on in ver. 25.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Open
פְּתַ֧ח (pə·ṯaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

the east
קֵ֖דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

window,”
הַחַלּ֛וֹן (ha·ḥal·lō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2474: A window

said Elisha.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

So he opened [it]
וַיִּפְתָּ֑ח (way·yip̄·tāḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

and Elisha
אֱלִישָׁ֤ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

said,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Shoot!”
יְרֵה֙ (yə·rêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

So he shot.
וַיּ֔וֹר (way·yō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

Then Elisha declared,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This is the LORD’s
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

arrow
חֵץ־ (ḥêṣ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

of victory,
תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה (tə·šū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8668: Deliverance, salvation

the arrow
וְחֵ֣ץ (wə·ḥêṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

of victory
תְּשׁוּעָ֣ה (tə·šū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8668: Deliverance, salvation

over Aram,
בַֽאֲרָ֔ם (ḇa·’ă·rām)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

for you shall strike
וְהִכִּיתָ֧ (wə·hik·kî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the Arameans
אֲרָ֛ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

in Aphek
בַּאֲפֵ֖ק (ba·’ă·p̄êq)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 663: Aphek -- perhaps 'fortress', the name of several places in Palestine

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

you have put an end to them.”
כַּלֵּֽה׃ (kal·lêh)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent


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OT History: 2 Kings 13:17 He said Open the window eastward (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 13:16
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