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.”
• 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

9The king of Edom and his troops joined them, and all three armies traveled along a roundabout route through the wilderness for seven days. But there was no water for the men or their animals. 10“What should we do?” the king of Israel cried out. “The Lord has brought the three of us here to let the king of Moab defeat us.” 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.” 12Jehoshaphat said, “Yes, the Lord speaks through him.” So the king of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom went to consult with Elisha. 13“Why are you coming to me?” Elisha asked the king of Israel. “Go to the pagan prophets of your father and mother!” But King Joram of Israel said, “No! For it was the Lord who called us three kings here—only to be defeated by the king 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 asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.”
• Psalms 74:9We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end.
• Amos 3:7Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.
• 2 Kings 3:1Ahab’s son Joram began to rule over Israel in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twelve years.
• Joshua 9:14So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.
• Judges 20:8And all the people rose to their feet in unison and declared, “None of us will return home! No, not even one of us!
• Judges 18:23They were shouting as they caught up with them. The men of Dan turned around and said to Micah, “What’s the matter? Why have you called these men together and chased after us like this?”
• 1 Chronicles 10:13So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium
• 1 Chronicles 14:10So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.”
• 1 Chronicles 15:13Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.”
• Genesis 18:4Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet.
• Joshua 1:1After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said,
• 1 Kings 19:21So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
• Luke 22:26But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
• John 13:4So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,
• 1 Timothy 5:10She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

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