New English Translation
2 Kings 3:11
11Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here that we might seek the Lord’s direction?” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shapat is here; he used to be Elijah’s servant.”
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.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)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."
- 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.”
Context of 2 Kings 3:11
9So the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom set out together. They wandered around on the road for seven days and finally ran out of water for the men and animals they had with them. 10The king of Israel said, “Oh no! Certainly the Lord has summoned these three kings so that he can hand them over to the king of Moab!” Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here that we might seek the Lord’s direction?” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shapat is here; he used to be Elijah’s servant.” 12Jehoshaphat said, “The Lord speaks through him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to visit him. 13Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why are you here? Go to your father’s prophets or your mother’s prophets!” The king of Israel replied to him, “No, for the Lord is the one who summoned these three kings so that he can hand them over to Moab.”
Read all of 2 Kings 32 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 asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him?”
- Psalms 74:9We do not see any signs of God’s presence; there are no longer any prophets and we have no one to tell us how long this will last.
- Amos 3:7Certainly the sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
- 2 Kings 3:1In the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Ahab’s son Jehoram became king over Israel in Samaria; he ruled for twelve years.
- Joshua 9:14The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice.
- Judges 20:8All Israel rose up in unison and said, “Not one of us will go home! Not one of us will return to his house!
- Judges 18:23When they called out to the Danites, the Danites turned around and said to Micah, “Why have you gathered together?”
- 1 Chronicles 10:13So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord and did not obey the Lord’s instructions; he even tried to conjure up underworld spirits.
- 1 Chronicles 14:10David asked God, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to him, “March up! I will hand them over to you!”
- 1 Chronicles 15:13The first time you did not carry it; that is why the Lord God attacked us, because we did not ask him about the proper way to carry it.”
- Genesis 18:4Let a little water be brought so that you may all wash your feet and rest under the tree.
- Joshua 1:1After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant:
- 1 Kings 19:21Elisha went back and took his pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He cooked the meat over a fire that he made by burning the harness and yoke. He gave the people meat and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and became his assistant.
- Luke 22:26Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves.
- John 13:4he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself.
- 1 Timothy 5:10and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress – as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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