2 Kings 6:18

Blindness. Heb. sanwerim, which occurs only here (twice) and in Gen. 19:11.

The derivation of the word is uncertain. Some have thought that total physical blindness is not meant, but only a state of illusion in which the men would not be able to see things as they actually were (see on Gen. 19:11). Two problems present themselves: (1) How would Elisha have been able to lead this company of men over the 11 mi. of mountainous terrain to Samaria if the group was totally blind? (2) Why would the men persist in their purpose of apprehending Elisha, seeing such an attempt was futile without eyesight? If the blindness was total, the explanation lies in the fact that these men were smitten with “double blindness” (see PP 159). The blindness of soul would lead them to persist in their evil course despite the stroke of God. The miracle may have extended beyond the affliction of physical blindness so as to make it possible for Elisha to lead these men to Samaria as well as to keep them to their purpose of taking him into custody.