2Ki 13:14-19 | NETfull | STEP | Now Elisha had a terminal illness. King Joash of Israel went down to visit him. He wept before him and said, “My father, my father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!”

2 Kings 13:14-19

Elisha Makes One Final Prophecy

14 Now Elisha had a terminal illness. ^{▼▼ Heb “Now Elisha was ill with the illness by which he would die.”} King Joash of Israel went down to visit him. ^{▼▼ Heb “went down to him.”} He wept before him and said, “My father, my father! The chariot ^{▼▼ Though the noun is singular here, it may be collective, in which case it could be translated “chariots.”} and horsemen of Israel!” ^{▼▼ By comparing Elisha to a one-man army, the king emphasizes the power of the prophetic word. See the note at 2:12.} 15 Elisha told him, “Take a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he took a bow and some arrows.”} 16 Then Elisha ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} told the king of Israel, “Aim the bow.” ^{▼▼ Heb “Cause your hand to ride on the bow.”} He did so, ^{▼▼ Heb “and he caused his hand to ride.”} and Elisha placed his hands on the king’s hands. 17 Elisha ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} said, “Open the east window,” and he did so. ^{▼▼ Heb “He opened [it].”} Elisha said, “Shoot!” and

he did so. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he shot.”} Elisha ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} said, “This arrow symbolizes the victory the Lord will give you over Syria. ^{▼▼ Heb “The arrow of victory of the Lord and the arrow of victory over Syria.”} You will annihilate Syria in Aphek!” ^{▼▼ Heb “you will strike down Syria in Aphek until destruction.”} 18 Then Elisha ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} said, “Take the arrows,” and he did so. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he took [them].”} He told the king of Israel, “Strike the ground!” He struck the ground three times and stopped. 19 The prophet ^{▼▼ Heb “man of God.”} got angry at him and said, “If you had struck the ground five or six times, you would have annihilated Syria! ^{▼▼ Heb “[It was necessary] to strike five or six times, then you would strike down Syria until destruction.” On the syntax of the infinitive construct, see GKC 349 #114.k.} But now, you will defeat Syria only three times.”