2 Kings 3:16

2 Kings 3:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches.
• New International Version (NIV)and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he said, "Thus says the Lord, 'I will make this dry streambed full of pools.'
• New King James Version (NKJV)And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’

Context of 2 Kings 3:16

14Elisha responded, “By the life of the Lord of Armies, before whom I stand: If I did not have respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, I wouldn’t look at you; I would not take notice of you. 15Now, bring me a musician.” While the musician played, the Lord’s hand came on Elisha. Then he said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.’ 17For the Lord says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink — you and your cattle and your animals.’ 18This is easy in the Lord’s sight. He will also hand Moab over to you.

2 Kings 3:16 word by word

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה עָשֹׂ֛ה הַנַּ֥חַל הַזֶּ֖ה גֵּבִ֥ים׀ גֵּבִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• Makeעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to makeH6213
• this valleyנַ֫חַלnachal nachlâh nachălâh · torrent: valleyH5158
• full of ditchesגֵּבgêb · cisternH1356

Cross-references for 2 Kings 3:16

• 2 Kings 4:3Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.
• Numbers 2:18Ephraim’s military divisions will camp on the west side under their banner. The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud.

Commentaries on 2 Kings 3:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Make this valley full of ditches - The word נחל nachal may be translated brook, as it is by the Vulgate and Septuagint. There probably was a river here, but it was now dry; and the prophet desires that they would enlarge the channel, and cut out various canals from it, and reservoirs, where water might be collected for the refreshment of the army and of the cattle; and these were to be made so wide that the reflection of the sun's rays from this water…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Ditches - Or “pits” Jeremiah 14:3. They were to dig pits in the broad valley or wady, wherein the water might remain, instead of flowing off down the torrent course.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-19Verses 6-19 The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Pr 19:3. It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, till necessity and affliction…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-27One of Elisha's miracles took place during the war between Israel, Judah, and Moab.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Make this valley full of ditches--capable of holding water.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Kings 3:16

• Armies
• Moabites
• Water

In the dictionaries

• Colour
• Compass
• Elisha
• Indignation
• Jehoram
• Jehoshaphat
• Moabite Stone
• Regard
• Stop
• Zoar

Commentaries on 2 Kings 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings