2 Kings 3:11

2 Kings 3:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
• New International Version (NIV)But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
• New King James Version (NKJV)But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.”
• New Living Translation (NLT)But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.” One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant.”

Context of 2 Kings 3:11

9So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10Then the king of Israel said, "Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab." And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?" Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah." 12And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. 13And Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab."

2 Kings 3:11 word by word

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט הַאֵ֨ין פֹּ֤ה נָבִיא֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה מֵאוֹת֑וֹ וַ֠יַּעַן אֶחָ֞ד מֵעַבְדֵ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר פֹּ֚ה אֱלִישָׁ֣ע בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ט אֲשֶׁר־יָ֥צַק מַ֖יִם עַל־יְדֵ֥י אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָטyehôshâphâţ · JehoshaphatH3092
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• not here a prophetנָבִיאnâbîy' · prophetH5030
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• that we may enquireדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• by him? And oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• of the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• of Israel’sיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• servantsעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• answeredעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
• Elishaאֱלִישָׁע'ĕlîyshâ‛ · ElishaH477
• the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• of Shaphatשָׁפָטshâphâţ · ShaphatH8202
• which pouredיָצַקyâtsaq · to pour: pourH3332
• waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• on the handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• of Elijahאֵלִיָּה'êlîyâh 'êlîyâhû · ElijahH452

Cross-references for 2 Kings 3:11

• 1 Kings 22:7But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?"
• Psalms 74:9We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long.
• Amos 3:7"For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
• 2 Kings 3:1In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twelve years.
• Joshua 9:14So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord.
• Judges 20:8And all the people arose as one man, saying, "None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house.
• Judges 18:23And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, "What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?"
• 1 Chronicles 10:13So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.
• 1 Chronicles 14:10And David inquired of God, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to him, "Go up, and I will give them into your hand."
• 1 Chronicles 15:13Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule."
• Genesis 18:4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,
• Joshua 1:1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
• 1 Kings 19:21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
• Luke 22:26But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
• John 13:4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
• 1 Timothy 5:10and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Commentaries on 2 Kings 3:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Is there not here a prophet of the Lord - The kings of Judah still acknowledged the true God, and him only. Poured water on the hands of Elijah - That is, was his constant and confidential servant.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11A prophet of the Lord - i. e. of Yahweh. It was necessary to inquire thus definitely, as there were still plenty of prophets who were only prophets of Baal 2 Kings 3:13. Here is Elisha - Jehoram appears to have been ignorant of his presence with the host, and one of his “servants,” or officers, answered Jehoshaphat‘s inquiry. Which poured water - An act signifying ministration or attendance (compare John 13:5 ff).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. 11-12Is there no prophet of the LORD here?: Diviners or prophets often traveled with armies to understand the divine will. Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from a true prophet to know the Lord’s plans for the battle (see 1 Kings 22:7). However, this time he waited until the campaign had started before asking the Lord.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-128-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom. But, in penetrating the deep, rocky valley of Ahsy, which…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Kings 3:11

• Armies
• Elisha
• Moabites
• Prophets
• Shaphat

In the dictionaries

• Elijah
• Elisha
• Jehoshaphat
• Colour
• Compass
• Hand
• Indignation
• Jehoram
• Moabite Stone
• Regard

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