And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

2 KINGS 6:20KJV
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2 Kings 6:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:20 mean?

2 Kings 6:20 describes how, after leading enemy soldiers into the city of Samaria, Elisha asks the LORD to open their eyes so they can see where they are. The LORD answers, and the soldiers realize they are now surrounded in the middle of Samaria.

In this verse, Elisha (the prophet) is speaking to God on behalf of a group of Aramean soldiers who had been struck with blindness and unknowingly led into Israel’s capital city. The moment their sight is restored, they discover they are in a vulnerable position, surrounded by their enemies, which sets up a dramatic turn in the story.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:20

  • "open" (פָּקַח, pāqaḥ): This word means to open, especially eyes or ears. Here, it shows that the soldiers’ blindness was not natural but divinely given and removed at Elisha’s request.
  • "eyes" (עַיִן, ʿayin): This word refers to physical sight but can also suggest understanding. In this story, regaining sight means both literal vision and a sudden awareness of their situation.
  • "see" (רָאָה, rā’āh): This verb means to see or perceive. The soldiers’ ability to see is restored, and they immediately grasp the reality of their predicament.
  • "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tāwek): This word means the middle or center. The soldiers are not just in Samaria, but right in the heart of it, emphasizing how completely they have been delivered into Israel’s hands.

Why 2 Kings 6:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the soldiers’ blindness and restored sight were both miraculous, controlled by God through Elisha’s prayers.
  • The verse highlights Elisha’s role as a prophet who acts as an intermediary between God and people, even for Israel’s enemies.
  • It sets up a moment of suspense in the story, as the fate of the captured soldiers now hangs in the balance, showing a turning point in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“open” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 19:16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
  • Isaiah 37:17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

“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 6:31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 13:1 In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.