Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
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Read the Bible
Hebrew Names Version
2 Kings 6:18
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word.
When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word.
King James Version
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.
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.
English Standard Version
And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha.
And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha.
New Century Version
As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the Lord , "Make these people blind." So he made the Aramean army blind, as Elisha had asked.
As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the Lord , "Make these people blind." So he made the Aramean army blind, as Elisha had asked.
New English Translation
As they approached him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , "Strike these people with blindness." The Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha requested.
As they approached him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , "Strike these people with blindness." The Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha requested.
Amplified Bible
When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Please strike this people (nation) with blindness." And God struck them with blindness, in accordance with Elisha's request.
When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Please strike this people (nation) with blindness." And God struck them with blindness, in accordance with Elisha's request.
New American Standard Bible
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So He struck them with blindness in accordance with the word of Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So He struck them with blindness in accordance with the word of Elisha.
Geneva Bible (1587)
So they came downe to him, but Elisha prayed vnto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindnesse. And he smote them with blindnes, according to the worde of Elisha.
So they came downe to him, but Elisha prayed vnto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindnesse. And he smote them with blindnes, according to the worde of Elisha.
Legacy Standard Bible
And they came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And they came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Contemporary English Version
As the Syrian army came closer, Elisha prayed, " Lord , make those soldiers blind!" And the Lord blinded them with a bright light.
As the Syrian army came closer, Elisha prayed, " Lord , make those soldiers blind!" And the Lord blinded them with a bright light.
Complete Jewish Bible
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Adonai , "Please strike these people blind"; and he struck them blind, as Elisha had asked.
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Adonai , "Please strike these people blind"; and he struck them blind, as Elisha had asked.
Darby Translation
And they came down to him; and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, Smite this nation, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And they came down to him; and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, Smite this nation, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Easy-to-Read Version
These horses and chariots of fire came down to Elisha. He prayed to the Lord and said, "I pray that you will cause these people to become blind." So God did what Elisha asked. He caused the Aramean army to become blind.
These horses and chariots of fire came down to Elisha. He prayed to the Lord and said, "I pray that you will cause these people to become blind." So God did what Elisha asked. He caused the Aramean army to become blind.
George Lamsa Translation
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, Smite this people with dimness of vision. And he smote them with dimness according to the word of Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, Smite this people with dimness of vision. And he smote them with dimness according to the word of Elisha.
Good News Translation
When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed, "O Lord , strike these men blind!" The Lord answered his prayer and struck them blind.
When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed, "O Lord , strike these men blind!" The Lord answered his prayer and struck them blind.
Lexham English Bible
They came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Please strike this people with blindness," so he struck them with blindness as Elisha had spoken.
They came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Please strike this people with blindness," so he struck them with blindness as Elisha had spoken.
Literal Translation
And they came down to it, and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, I beg You, strike this nation with blindness. And He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
And they came down to it, and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, I beg You, strike this nation with blindness. And He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And wha they came downe vnto him, Eliseus made his prayer, & sayde: LORDE smyte this people wt blyndnes. And he smote the with blyndnes acordinge to the worde of Eliseus.
And wha they came downe vnto him, Eliseus made his prayer, & sayde: LORDE smyte this people wt blyndnes. And he smote the with blyndnes acordinge to the worde of Eliseus.
American Standard Version
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Jehovah, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Bible in Basic English
Now when the Aramaeans came down to Elisha, he made a prayer to the Lord saying, Lord, make this people blind. And he made them blind at Elisha's request.
Now when the Aramaeans came down to Elisha, he made a prayer to the Lord saying, Lord, make this people blind. And he made them blind at Elisha's request.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when they came downe to him, Elisa prayed vnto the Lord, and sayde: Smyte this people I pray thee with blindnesse. And he smote them with blindnesse, according to the worde of Elisa.
And when they came downe to him, Elisa prayed vnto the Lord, and sayde: Smyte this people I pray thee with blindnesse. And he smote them with blindnesse, according to the worde of Elisa.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
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.
King James Version (1611)
And when they came downe to him, Elisha prayed vnto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindnesse. And hee smote them with blindnesse, according to the word of Elisha.
And when they came downe to him, Elisha prayed vnto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindnesse. And hee smote them with blindnesse, according to the word of Elisha.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And they came down to him; and he prayed to the Lord, and said, Smite, I pray thee, this people with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisaie.
And they came down to him; and he prayed to the Lord, and said, Smite, I pray thee, this people with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisaie.
English Revised Version
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.
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli the enemyes camen doun to hym; forsothe Elisee preiede to the Lord, and seide, Y biseche, smyte thou this folc with blyndenesse. And the Lord smoot hem, that thei sien not, bi the word of Elisee.
Sotheli the enemyes camen doun to hym; forsothe Elisee preiede to the Lord, and seide, Y biseche, smyte thou this folc with blyndenesse. And the Lord smoot hem, that thei sien not, bi the word of Elisee.
Young's Literal Translation
And they come down unto it, and Elisha prayeth unto Jehovah, and saith, `Smite, I pray Thee, this nation with blindness;' and He smiteth them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
And they come down unto it, and Elisha prayeth unto Jehovah, and saith, `Smite, I pray Thee, this nation with blindness;' and He smiteth them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
Update Bible Version
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Smite this people, I pray you, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Smite this people, I pray you, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Webster's Bible Translation
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
World English Bible
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
New King James Version
So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
New Living Translation
As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, "O Lord , please make them blind." So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, "O Lord , please make them blind." So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
New Life Bible
When the Syrians came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, saying, "Make these people blind, I pray." So the Lord made them blind, as Elisha had said.
When the Syrians came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, saying, "Make these people blind, I pray." So the Lord made them blind, as Elisha had said.
New Revised Standard
When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , and said, "Strike this people, please, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord , and said, "Strike this people, please, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Yahweh, and said - Smite, I beseech thee, this people, with sudden blindness. And he smote them with sudden blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
And, when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto Yahweh, and said - Smite, I beseech thee, this people, with sudden blindness. And he smote them with sudden blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the enemies came down to him: but Eliseus prayed to the Lord, saying: Strike, I beseech thee, this people with blindness: and the Lord struck them with blindness, according to the word of Eliseus.
And the enemies came down to him: but Eliseus prayed to the Lord, saying: Strike, I beseech thee, this people with blindness: and the Lord struck them with blindness, according to the word of Eliseus.
Revised Standard Version
And when the Syrians came down against him, Eli'sha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray thee, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Eli'sha.
And when the Syrians came down against him, Eli'sha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray thee, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Eli'sha.
THE MESSAGE
When the Arameans attacked, Elisha prayed to God , "Strike these people blind!" And God struck them blind, just as Elisha said.
When the Arameans attacked, Elisha prayed to God , "Strike these people blind!" And God struck them blind, just as Elisha said.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
Contextual Overview
13 He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dotan. 14 Therefore sent he there horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host with horses and chariots was round about the city. His servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 He answered, Don't be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 17 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, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. He led them to Shomron. 20 It happened, when they were come into Shomron, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Shomron. 21 The king of Yisra'el said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I strike them? shall I strike them? 22 He answered, You shall not strike them: would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Smite this people: Confound their sight, so that they may not know what they see; and so mistake one place for another. The word sanverim, rendered blindness, occurs only here and in Genesis 19:11 - see note. Deuteronomy 28:28, Job 5:14, Zechariah 12:4, John 9:39, John 12:40, Acts 13:11, Romans 11:7
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:4 - his hand 2 Kings 3:23 - This is blood 2 Kings 4:33 - prayed 2 Kings 6:17 - open his eyes Job 38:15 - from Jeremiah 36:26 - but Hosea 9:8 - with Luke 24:16 - General John 8:59 - but
Cross-References
Genesis 6:9
This is the history of the generations of Noach. Noach was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noach walked with God.
This is the history of the generations of Noach. Noach was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noach walked with God.
Genesis 6:16
You shall make a roof in the teivah, and to a cubit shall you finish it upward. You shall set the door of the teivah in the side of it. You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels.
You shall make a roof in the teivah, and to a cubit shall you finish it upward. You shall set the door of the teivah in the side of it. You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels.
Genesis 7:1
The LORD said to Noach, "Come with all of your household into the teivah, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.
The LORD said to Noach, "Come with all of your household into the teivah, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.
Genesis 7:7
Noach went into the teivah with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, because of the waters of the flood.
Noach went into the teivah with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, because of the waters of the flood.
Genesis 7:13
In the same day Noach, and Shem, Ham, and Yefet, the sons of Noach, and Noach's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the teivah;
In the same day Noach, and Shem, Ham, and Yefet, the sons of Noach, and Noach's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the teivah;
Genesis 17:4
"As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
"As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis 17:7
I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you.
I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you.
Genesis 17:21
But my covenant I establish with Yitzchak, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time in the next year."
But my covenant I establish with Yitzchak, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time in the next year."
Isaiah 26:20
Come, my people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation be past.
Come, my people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation be past.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith, Noach, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a teivah for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
By faith, Noach, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a teivah for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And when they came down to him,.... The Syrian army, from the hill on which they were first seen, who came down from thence to the bottom of the hill on which the city stood; and whither Elisha came out, in order both to meet them, and proceed on his journey to Samaria:
Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness; or "blindnesses" g; with great blindness, such as the men of Sodom were smitten with; the same word is here used as of them, Genesis 19:11
and he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha; not in such manner that they could discern no object, for then they could not have followed Elisha; but their sight was so altered, that they knew not the objects they saw; they appeared quite otherwise to them than they were; they saw the city, but knew it not to be the same, and Elisha, but knew him not to be the man of God, though they might have some in the host that knew him personally.
g בסנורים "in caecitatibus", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
They came down to him - The Syrians, who had been encamped on rising ground opposite the hill of Dothan, now descended and drew near to the city.
The blindness with which they were smitten was not real - blindness actual loss of sight - but a state of illusion in which a man sees things otherwise than as they are (compare 2 Kings 6:20).
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Kings 6:18. Smite this people - with blindness — Confound their sight so that they may not know what they see, and so mistake one place for another.
