2 Kings 3:22

2 Kings 3:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
• New International Version (NIV)When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And when they rose early in the morning and the sun shone on the water, the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood.

Context of 2 Kings 3:22

20The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere. 21Meanwhile, when the people of Moab heard about the three armies marching against them, they mobilized every man who was old enough to strap on a sword, and they stationed themselves along their border. But when they got up the next morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it appear red to the Moabites—like blood. 23“It’s blood!” the Moabites exclaimed. “The three armies must have attacked and killed each other! Let’s go, men of Moab, and collect the plunder!” 24But when the Moabites arrived at the Israelite camp, the army of Israel rushed out and attacked them until they turned and ran. The army of Israel chased them into the land of Moab, destroying everything as they went.

2 Kings 3:22 word by word

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וְהַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ זָרְחָ֣ה עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם וַיִּרְא֨וּ מוֹאָ֥ב מִנֶּ֛גֶד אֶת־הַמַּ֖יִם אֲדֻמִּ֥ים כַּדָּֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And they rose up earlyשָׁכַםshâkam · to riseH7925
• in the morningבֹּ֫קֶרbôqer · morningH1242
• and the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• shoneזָרַחzârach · to riseH2224
• upon the waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• and the Moabitesמוֹאָבmô'âb · MoabH4124
• sawרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• on the other sideנֶ֫גֶדneged · beforeH5048
• redאָדֹם'âdôm · redH122
• as bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818

Cross-references for 2 Kings 3:22

• 2 Kings 6:18As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
• 2 Kings 7:6For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another.
• Exodus 15:9“The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them. I will plunder them and consume them. I will flash my sword; my powerful hand will destroy them.’
• Judges 5:30‘They must be dividing the captured plunder— with a woman or two for every man. There will be colorful robes for Sisera, and colorful, embroidered robes for me. Yes, the plunder will include colorful robes embroidered on both sides.’
• 2 Chronicles 20:25King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!
• Isaiah 10:14I have robbed their nests of riches and gathered up kingdoms as a farmer gathers eggs. No one can even flap a wing against me or utter a peep of protest.”

Commentaries on 2 Kings 3:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Saw the water on the other side as red as blood - This might have been an optical deception; I have seen the like sight when there was no reason to suspect supernatural agency. The Moabites had never seen that valley full of water, and therefore did not suspect that their eyes deceived them, but took it for the blood of the confederate hosts, who they thought might have fallen into confusion in the darkness of night and destroyed each other, as the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-27Verses 20-27 It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his account. When sinners are saying Peace, peace, destruction comes upon them: despair will follow their mad presumption. In Satan's service and at his…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. 20-2420-24. when the meat offering was offered--that is, at the time of the morning sacrifice, accompanied, doubtless, with solemn prayers; and these led, it may be, by Elisha on this occasion, as on a similar one by Elijah (1Ki 18:36). behold, there came water by the way of Edom--Far from the Israelitish camp, in the eastern mountains of Edom, a great fall of rain, a kind of cloudburst, took place, by which the wady was at once filled, but they saw neither…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Kings 3:22

• Miracles
• Moabites

In the dictionaries

• Colour
• Compass
• Indignation
• Jehoshaphat
• Kirharaseth
• Moabite Stone
• Regard
• Stop
• Zoar
• Arnon

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