2 Kings 6:18–20: How could Elisha strike an entire enemy force with blindness and then restore their sight?

Historical and Literary Context

Second Kings recounts the prophetic ministry of Elisha in the northern kingdom of Israel. In the larger narrative (2 Kings 6:8–23), the king of Aram (Syria) repeatedly attempts to capture or destroy the Israelites, only to be thwarted by Elisha’s warnings and God’s miraculous interventions. This account falls within the period when Israel and Aram were often at war, providing the backdrop for the prophet’s remarkable demonstrations of divine power.

Biblical Passage (2 Kings 6:18–20)

“And 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.

And Elisha told them, ‘This is not the way and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you seek.’ And he led them to Samaria.

When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, ‘O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.’ Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered they were in Samaria.”

Nature of the Miracle

Scripture directly attributes the power behind Elisha’s actions to the intervention of the LORD. While the text calls this phenomenon “blindness,” the term can also suggest a form of inability to perceive reality as it normally would appear. In several biblical accounts (e.g., Genesis 19:11; Acts 9:8–9), God uses blindness—whether physical or a confusion of perception—to accomplish His purposes. In 2 Kings 6:18–20, the Aramean forces are rendered incapable of recognizing their own surroundings until Elisha’s prayer lifts the affliction.

Divine Intervention and Human Agency

Elisha’s prayer is central. The text states, “Please strike these people with blindness” (6:18), showing that the prophet is fully reliant on God to perform the act. Rather than Elisha wielding power of his own, the miracle is a sovereign act that occurs “according to the word of Elisha.” This indicates God’s responsiveness to Elisha’s petition. The restoration of sight also follows Elisha’s prayer: “O LORD, open the eyes of these men” (6:20). This twofold move—blinding and restoring—shows God’s control over both natural faculties and extraordinary occurrences.

Similar Instances in Scripture

1. Genesis 19:11 – The men of Sodom are struck with blindness, preventing their pursuit of Lot’s visitors.

2. Acts 9:8–9 – Saul (Paul) experiences temporary blindness on the road to Damascus before God restores his sight.

These parallels emphasize that God often demonstrates His power—both in judgment and in mercy—through physical or perceptual blindness.

Reliability of the Biblical Account

Archaeological findings, such as ancient Aramean inscriptions and Israelite city ruins, confirm ongoing conflict between Aram (Syria) and Israel, consistent with the historical setting of 2 Kings. Inscriptions from the ninth century BC referencing Hazael of Aram (discovered at Tel Dan) align with the biblical accounts of Aram’s significant power and frequent warfare with Israel. Such evidence supports the historicity of the era in which Elisha ministered.

From a manuscript perspective, the textual transmission of 2 Kings is also well-attested among the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Masoretic Text tradition, showcasing consistent preservation. Experts in textual criticism point out that the books of Kings, despite their centuries of copying, contain remarkably unified accounts.

Possible Explanations of “Blindness”

1. Physical Blindness: God could have supernaturally shut down the physiological mechanism of vision, momentarily interfering with the Arameans’ ability to see.

2. Perceptual Blindness or Delusion: The men may have seen light or shapes but been confused or unable to recognize faces, terrain, or Elisha himself. This would fit the narrative where they follow Elisha without realizing who he is and where he is leading them.

In both cases, the passage makes clear that it is God’s direct action in response to Elisha’s prayer. The underlying Hebrew word can indicate total lack of vision or a state of spiritual/mental disorientation.

Theological Significance

This event highlights God’s sovereignty over every part of human experience—both mental and physical. It also illustrates His ability to protect His people in war without requiring Israel to resort to a bloody conflict. Instead, the narrative ends with mercy and reconciliation (2 Kings 6:21–23). The miracle points to God’s gracious oversight and further authenticates His chosen messenger, Elisha.

Philosophical and Apologetic Considerations

Within a worldview that recognizes the possibility of the supernatural, miracles align with the existence of God as the omnipotent Creator. Modern philosophical discussions often point to uniformity in nature but do not conclusively rule out a transcendent power capable of intervening. The biblical record consistently presents God’s miracles as purposeful signs rather than arbitrary events. In this specific miracle, the purpose was to protect Elisha and Israel, demonstrate God’s sovereignty, and open the way for a peaceful resolution with the Arameans.

Conclusion

In 2 Kings 6:18–20, Elisha, through prayer, asks the LORD to strike the enemy with blindness and subsequently restores their sight. The text frames this as a divine demonstration of power rather than magic or trickery. The miracle underscores God’s authority over creation, the legitimacy of Elisha’s prophetic ministry, and the biblical teaching that God can intervene in the physical realm for His redemptive purposes.

The Arameans’ blindness—and subsequent restoration—serves ultimately to reveal the LORD’s hand at work in Israel’s history. Far from a mere legend, multiple lines of historical, archaeological, and textual evidence confirm the realities of these conflicts, supporting the veracity of the narrative. This account reminds readers of God’s overarching plan, in which He can influence even the most concrete aspects of human experience—such as sight—to bring about His gracious purposes.