2 Kings 6:17
New International Version
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

New Living Translation
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

English Standard Version
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

New American Standard Bible
Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes so 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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Yahweh, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Amplified Bible
Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Elisha prayed, “LORD, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Elisha prayed, “ LORD, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

American Standard Version
And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah 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.

Contemporary English Version
Then he prayed, "LORD, please help him to see." And the LORD let the servant see that the hill was covered with fiery horses and flaming chariots all around Elisha.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Elisha prayed, "LORD, please open his eyes so that he may see." The LORD opened the servant's eyes and let him see. The mountain around Elisha was full of fiery horses and chariots.

Good News Translation
Then he prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!" The LORD answered his prayer, and Elisha's servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

International Standard Version
Then Elisha prayed, asking the LORD, "Please make him able to really see!" And so when the LORD enabled the young man to see, he looked, and there was the mountain, filled with horses and fiery chariots surrounding Elisha!

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Then Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he can see." The LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

New Heart English Bible
Then Elisha prayed and said, "LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see." The LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and look, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 around Elisha.

World English Bible
Elisha prayed, and said, “Yahweh, please open his eyes, that he may see.” Yahweh opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elisha prays and says, “YHWH, please open his eyes, and he sees”; and YHWH opens the eyes of the young man, and he sees, and behold, the hill is full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

Young's Literal Translation
And Elisha prayeth, and saith, 'Jehovah, open, I pray Thee, his eyes, and he doth see;' and Jehovah openeth the eyes of the young man, and he seeth, and lo, the hill is full of horses and chariots of fire, round about Elisha.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elisha will pray, and say, Jehovah open now his eyes, and he shall see. And Jehovah will open the boy's eyes, and he will see: and behold, the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Eliseus prayed, and said: Lord, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw: and behold the mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire round about Eliseus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Elisha had prayed, he said, “O Lord, open the eyes of this one, so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha.

New American Bible
Then he prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw that the mountainside was filled with fiery chariots and horses around Elisha.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Elisha prayed: “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, O LORD, 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elisha prayed before LORD JEHOVAH, and he said: “LORD JEHOVAH, open the eyes of the boy, and he will see!” And LORD JEHOVAH opened the eyes of the boy, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was filled with horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Elisaie prayed, and said, Lord, open, I pray thee, the eyes of the servant, and let him see. And the Lord opened his eyes, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses, and there were chariots of fire round about Elisaie.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Captures the Blinded Arameans
16“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then 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. 18As 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.…

Cross References
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Exodus 14:19-20
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them, / so that it came between the camps of Egypt and Israel. The cloud was there in the darkness, but it lit up the night. So all night long neither camp went near the other.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Zechariah 2:5
For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”

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?

Hebrews 1:14
Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Acts 12:7
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.

Psalm 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.

Genesis 32:1-2
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. / When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.

Joshua 5:13-15
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” / “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” / The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Luke 2:13
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

Revelation 5:11
Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.


Treasury of Scripture

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray you, 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.

prayed

Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

James 5:16-18
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…

open his eyes

2 Kings 6:18-20
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…

Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Isaiah 42:7
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

full of horses

2 Kings 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

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2 Kings 6
1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead
8. He discloses the king of Syria's counsel
13. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded
19. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace
24. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children
30. The king sends to slay Elisha














Then Elisha prayed
The phrase begins with "Then Elisha prayed," indicating a direct and immediate response to a situation of fear and uncertainty. Elisha, the prophet, demonstrates the power and necessity of prayer in times of crisis. The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פָּלַל" (palal), which means to intercede or mediate. This highlights the role of Elisha as an intercessor, standing between God and man, a foreshadowing of Christ's mediatory role in the New Testament.

O LORD
The invocation "O LORD" uses the covenant name of God, "Yahweh" (יהוה), emphasizing a personal and relational God who is faithful to His promises. This name is a reminder of God's eternal presence and His commitment to His people. Elisha's use of this name signifies his deep trust and reliance on God's power and faithfulness.

please open his eyes
The request "please open his eyes" is a plea for spiritual insight and revelation. The Hebrew word for "open" is "פָּקַח" (paqach), which means to open or to give sight. This is not just a physical opening but a spiritual awakening, suggesting that true understanding comes from divine revelation. It underscores the theme that spiritual blindness can only be healed by God's intervention.

that he may see
The phrase "that he may see" indicates the purpose of the prayer: to reveal the unseen spiritual reality. The Hebrew word for "see" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to perceive or understand. This seeing goes beyond physical sight to encompass spiritual perception, reminding believers that faith involves seeing beyond the natural to the supernatural.

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man
Here, "And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man" shows the immediate and powerful response of God to Elisha's prayer. The repetition of the word "opened" emphasizes God's ability to grant spiritual vision. The "young man" represents those who are spiritually immature or unaware, highlighting the need for divine intervention to understand God's protection and presence.

and he saw
The phrase "and he saw" confirms the fulfillment of Elisha's prayer. The young man's new vision is a testament to God's power to reveal His truth to those who seek it. This seeing is transformative, changing fear into faith and doubt into confidence.

that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire
The imagery "that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire" symbolizes God's mighty and protective presence. Horses and chariots were symbols of military power in the ancient Near East, and the addition of "fire" signifies divine power and glory. This vision reassures believers of God's sovereign protection over His people, even when unseen.

all around Elisha
Finally, "all around Elisha" indicates the divine protection specifically surrounding God's servant. This phrase reassures that those who are called by God and walk in His ways are never alone. It serves as an encouragement to believers that God's presence encircles them, providing security and strength in the face of adversity.

(17) And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw.--Just as the Lord had opened Elisha's own eyes to see the like vision of unearthly glory when his master was taken away (2Kings 2:10; 2Kings 2:12). (Comp. also Numbers 22:31.)

The mountain.--On which Dothan stood.

Horses and chariots of fire.--Literally, horses and chariots, to wit, fire. Fire was the well-known symbol of Jehovah's visible presence and protective or destroying might, from the days of the patriarchs onwards (Genesis 15:17; Exodus 3:2; Exodus 13:21, seq., 19:16, seq.; Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 30:33; Isaiah 33:14). As fiery chariots and horses parted Elijah from Elisha (2Kings 2:12), so now a similar appearance surrounds and protects the latter. "It is a fine thought," says Thenius, "that on this occasion the veil of earthly existence was lifted for a moment for one child of man, so as to allow him a clear glimpse of the sovereignty of Providence." The form of the supernatural appearance was, no doubt, conditioned by the circumstances of the time. Chariots and horses were the strength of the Aramean oppressors of Israel; therefore, Jehovah causes His earthly ministers to see that He also has at His command horses and chariots, and that of fire. . . .

Verse 17. - And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. If the prophet's servant was to be reassured, he must be made to see that help was at hand; he would not have found rest or peace in the mere assurance that God was nigh, and would keep his prophet from harm. His mental state required something like a material manifestation; and hence Elisha prays that he may be permitted to behold the angelic host, which everywhere throughout creation is employed at all times in doing the will of God, and accomplishing his ends (comp. Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:2; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 68:17; Daniel 7:10, etc.). The prayer is granted. 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. As the earthly force, which had alarmed Elisha's servant, was a force mainly of horses and chariots, so the heavenly force revealed to his eyes was made to bear the same appearance. But the heavenly chariots and horses were "of fire" - glowed, i.e. with a strange unearthly brightness (see the comment on 2 Kings 2:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

prayed,
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל (way·yiṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

“O LORD,
יְהוָ֕ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

please
נָ֥א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

open
פְּקַח־ (pə·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6491: To open, to be observant

his eyes
עֵינָ֖יו (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

that he may see.”
וְיִרְאֶ֑ה (wə·yir·’eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

And the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

opened
וַיִּפְקַ֤ח (way·yip̄·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6491: To open, to be observant

the eyes
עֵינֵ֣י (‘ê·nê)
Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the young man,
הַנַּ֔עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and he saw that
וַיַּ֗רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the hills
הָהָ֜ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

were full of
מָלֵ֨א (mā·lê)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

horses
סוּסִ֥ים (sū·sîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

and chariots
וְרֶ֛כֶב (wə·re·ḵeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

of fire
אֵ֖שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

all around
סְבִיבֹ֥ת (sə·ḇî·ḇōṯ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

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


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OT History: 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed and said Yahweh Please open (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 6:16
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