Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. New Living Translation Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. English Standard Version And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. New King James Version Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. New American Standard Bible Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. NASB 1995 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. NASB 1977 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. Legacy Standard Bible Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stood still. Amplified Bible Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. Christian Standard Bible Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows! ” So he took them. Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground! ” So he struck the ground three times and stopped. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” So he took them. Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped. American Standard Version And he said, Take the arrows; and he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground; and he smote thrice, and stayed. Contemporary English Version Elisha said, "Pick up the arrows and hit the ground with them." Jehoash grabbed the arrows and hit the ground three times, then stopped. English Revised Version And he said, Take the arrows: and he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground: and he smote thrice, and stayed. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows." So the king took them. "Stomp on them," he told the king of Israel. The king stomped three times and stopped. Good News Translation Then Elisha told the king to take the other arrows and strike the ground with them. The king struck the ground three times, and then stopped. International Standard Version After this Elisha said, "Pick up the arrows." So the king picked them up. Then Elisha told the king of Israel, "Strike the ground!" So he struck it three times and then stood still. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows," and he did so. He told the king of Israel, "Strike the ground!" He struck the ground three times and stopped. New Heart English Bible He said, "Take the arrows"; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; and he struck three times, and stopped. Webster's Bible Translation And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and ceased. World English Bible He said, “Take the arrows;” and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground;” and he struck three times, and stopped. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Take the arrows,” and he takes; and he says to the king of Israel, “Strike to the earth”; and he strikes three times, and stays. Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Take the arrows,' and he taketh; and he saith to the king of Israel, 'Smite to the earth;' and he smiteth three times, and stayeth. Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Take the arrows. And he will take. And he will say to the king of Israel, Strike the earth. And he will strike three times, and stand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Take the arrows. And when he had taken them, he said to him : Strike with an arrow upon the ground. And he struck three times and stood still. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said, “Take the arrows.” And when he had taken them, he then said to him, “Strike an arrow against the ground.” And when he had struck three times, and he had stood still, New American Bible Then he said to the king of Israel, “Take the arrows,” which he did. Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Beat the ground!” He beat the ground three times and stopped. New Revised Standard Version He continued, “Take the arrows”; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them”; he struck three times, and stopped. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to him, Take an arrow. And he took it. And he said, Strike upon the ground. And he struck three times and stopped. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to him: “Take an arrow.” And he took, and he said: “Strike on the ground.” And he struck three times and stopped. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'Take the arrows'; and he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel: 'Smite upon the ground'; and he smote thrice, and stayed. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Elisaie said to him, Take bow and arrows. And he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And the king smote three times, and stayed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elisha's Final Prophecy…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. 19But the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times.”… Cross References 2 Kings 4:3-6 “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. / Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.” / So she left him, and after she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing jars to her, and she kept pouring. ... 2 Kings 6:17 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. 2 Kings 5:10-14 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” / But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. / Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ... 2 Kings 3:16-18 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 2 Kings 2:9-10 After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. / “You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.” 1 Kings 20:13-15 Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’” / “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet. / So Ahab assembled the young officers of the district governors, and there were 232 men. And after them, he assembled the rest of the Israelite troops, 7,000 in all. 1 Kings 17:13-16 “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. ... Exodus 17:11-13 As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. / When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. / So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword. Joshua 6:3-5 March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. / And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.” Judges 7:16-22 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. / “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. / When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” ... Psalm 18:34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Isaiah 7:11-14 “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ... Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me? Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. Treasury of Scripture And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Smite on the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. Smite Isaiah 20:2-4 At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot… Ezekiel 4:1-10 Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: … Ezekiel 5:1-4 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's rasor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair… he smote thrice 2 Kings 4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Exodus 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Jump to Previous Arrows Ceased Earth Elisha Ground Israel Smite Smote Stayeth Stopped Strike Struck Three Thrice TimesJump to Next Arrows Ceased Earth Elisha Ground Israel Smite Smote Stayeth Stopped Strike Struck Three Thrice Times2 Kings 13 1. Jehoahaz's wicked reign3. 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 Then Elisha said, “Take the arrows!” Elisha, the prophet, is speaking to King Jehoash of Israel. This command is part of a prophetic act, a common practice in the Old Testament where physical actions symbolize spiritual truths or future events. Arrows in ancient warfare were symbols of power and victory. Elisha's instruction to take the arrows signifies preparation for battle and the potential for victory over enemies. So he took them, and Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” So he struck the ground three times and stopped. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. King of Israel At this time, Jehoash (also known as Joash), who sought Elisha's counsel regarding the Arameans. 3. Arrows Symbolic tools used by Elisha to convey God's message and promise of victory over Aram. 4. Ground The physical location where the symbolic act of striking the arrows took place, representing the battlefield. 5. Arameans The enemy nation threatening Israel, against whom the prophetic act was directed. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsThe king's partial obedience resulted in limited victory. Complete obedience to God's commands is crucial for full blessings. Faith in Action The act of striking the ground was a test of faith. Our actions should reflect our trust in God's promises. Symbolism in Scripture Understanding the symbolic nature of biblical events can deepen our comprehension of God's messages. Perseverance in Faith The king stopped after three strikes, showing a lack of perseverance. We are called to persist in faith and prayer. Consequences of Limited Faith The king's limited action led to limited victory. Our faith should be bold and unwavering to fully experience God's power.(18) And he said.--LXX., "and Elisha said unto him," which, as Thenius remarks, is more appropriate here, in introducing the account of the second symbolic action. The arrows--i.e., the bundle of arrows. Smite upon the ground.--Rather, smite (or, strike) earthwards; as if striking an enemy to the earth. He smote thrice.--Three being a sacred number. Verse 18. - And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. Elisha bade the king take into his band the remainder of the arrows which the quiver contained. This the king did, and held them in a bunch, as archers do when they have no quiver. And he said unto the King of Israel, Smite upon the ground. It is disputed what this means The LXX. translate Πάταξον εἰς τὴν γῆν "Strike upon the ground;" and so Ewald, De Wette, and Thenius, who regard the order as one to strike with the arrows against the ground (i.e. the floor) or in the direction of the ground. Keil and Bahr, on the contrary, think that the order was to shoot the arrows down from the window and hit the earth with them. But some contrast seems to be intended between the "shoot" (יְרַה) of ver. 19 and the "strike" (חַך) of the present passage. Ewald's explanation is thus to be preferred. And he smote thrice, and stayed. Joash struck with the arrows against the floor three times, and then paused, thinking he had done enough. He did not enter into the spirit of the symbolical act, which represented the smiting and slaying of enemies. Perhaps he had not much faith in the virtue of the symbolism, which he may even, with the arrogance of a proud and worldly minded man, have thought childish.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Elisha said,וַיֹּ֛אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Take קַ֥ח (qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take the arrows!” הַחִצִּ֖ים (ha·ḥiṣ·ṣîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2678: An arrow So he took [them], וַיִּקָּ֑ח (way·yiq·qāḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take and Elisha said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to the king לְמֶֽלֶךְ־ (lə·me·leḵ-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc “Strike הַךְ־ (haḵ-) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike the ground!” אַ֔רְצָה (’ar·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land So he struck וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike the ground three שָֽׁלֹשׁ־ (šā·lōš-) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice times פְּעָמִ֖ים (pə·‘ā·mîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence and stopped. וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽד׃ (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations Links 2 Kings 13:18 NIV2 Kings 13:18 NLT 2 Kings 13:18 ESV 2 Kings 13:18 NASB 2 Kings 13:18 KJV 2 Kings 13:18 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 13:18 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 13:18 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 13:18 French Bible 2 Kings 13:18 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 13:18 He said Take the arrows (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
    |