And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.

2 KINGS 13:15KJV
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2 Kings 13:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:15 mean?

2 Kings 13:15 describes the prophet Elisha telling King Joash of Israel to take up a bow and arrows, and Joash obeying by taking them. This begins a symbolic act where Elisha will use these items to deliver a message from God about Israel’s future battles.

Elisha, a well-known prophet, is speaking to King Joash during a time of national distress from enemy threats. The instruction to take the bow and arrows is not just practical but sets up a prophetic demonstration. This verse marks the start of a scene where physical actions will have spiritual meaning, showing how God sometimes uses everyday objects to communicate His plans.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:15

  • אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha, ’Elisha‘): This is the prophet’s name, meaning “God is salvation.” His role as God’s spokesperson is central in this story.
  • קַח (qach, “Take”): This verb is a direct command, showing Elisha’s authority and the importance of obedience in this moment.
  • קֶשֶׁת (qeshet, “bow”): The bow is a symbol of warfare and strength. Its mention here prepares the reader for a message about conflict and victory.
  • חֵץ (chets, “arrows”): Arrows, like the bow, are tools of battle. Their use in this prophetic act points to upcoming military events for Israel.

Why 2 Kings 13:15 matters

  • This verse is the start of a symbolic action where Elisha uses physical objects to reveal God’s intentions, showing that God can speak through everyday things.
  • Understanding that Elisha commands Joash to take up weapons helps clarify that the following actions are not random but are meant to teach something about Israel’s future.
  • The verse sets the stage for the next verses, where the meaning of the bow and arrows will be explained, connecting the physical act to God’s promise of deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“arrows” Hebrew H2671 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
  • Job 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
  • Proverbs 25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

“Elisha” Hebrew H477 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
  • 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
  • 2 Kings 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?

“bow” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.