2 Kings 13:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elisha commands the king to shoot an arrow eastward from the window, declaring it as the LORD's arrow of deliverance that will bring Israel victory over Syria.
The Context of 2 Kings 13:17
The window opens eastward toward Syria, the enemy nation that has oppressed Israel. Aphek was the site of earlier battles between Israel and Syria, making this prophecy a restoration of Israel's honor and territorial security.
What Does 2 Kings 13:17 Mean?
The arrow flies eastward, toward the rising sun and toward the enemy. But Elisha names it first: it is not the king's arrow, but the LORD's. All power in heaven and on earth belongs to God, and the victory that is about to unfold will glorify His name alone. The prophet speaks with the certainty of one who has walked with God for a lifetime. He has seen God's arm stretched out in plague and deliverance, in raising the dead and calling fire from heaven. Now, at the threshold of his own death, he pronounces Israel's future with the same confidence.
Aphek was not a minor skirmish but a turning point. The prophecy announced here will be fulfilled in the days that follow, when Jehoash will strike Syria three times and recover the cities of Israel. We too are called to believe the word God speaks over our futures, even when circumstances seem hopeless. The arrow of deliverance belongs to the LORD, and He will accomplish what He promises.
2 Kings 13:17 in the Original Language
chetzev (חץ), 'arrow' -- the instrument of divine judgment and deliverance, as seen in Psalm 91:5 and Habakkuk 3:11
How to Apply 2 Kings 13:17 Today
God's promises are sure, even when we face overwhelming opposition. Claim the victories He has declared over your life and circumstances, knowing that He will complete what He has begun. Trust not in your own strength, but in the deliverance the LORD Himself provides.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 13:17
What does 2 Kings 13:17 mean?
Elisha commands the king to shoot an arrow eastward from the window, declaring it as the LORD's arrow of deliverance that will bring Israel victory over Syria.
What is the context of 2 Kings 13:17?
The window opens eastward toward Syria, the enemy nation that has oppressed Israel. Aphek was the site of earlier battles between Israel and Syria, making this prophecy a restoration of Israel's honor and territorial security.
How can I apply 2 Kings 13:17 today?
God's promises are sure, even when we face overwhelming opposition. Claim the victories He has declared over your life and circumstances, knowing that He will complete what He has begun. Trust not in your own strength, but in the deliverance the LORD Himself provides.