2 Kings 3:23

2 Kings 3:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
• New International Version (NIV)“That’s blood!” they said. “Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And they said, "This is blood; the kings have surely fought together and struck one another down. Now then, Moab, to the spoil!"
• New King James Version (NKJV)And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”

Context of 2 Kings 3:23

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. 22But when they got up the next morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it appear red to the Moabites—like blood. “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. 25They destroyed the towns, covered their good land with stones, stopped up all the springs, and cut down all the good trees. Finally, only Kir-hareseth and its stone walls were left, but men with slings surrounded and attacked it.

2 Kings 3:23 word by word

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ דָּ֣ם זֶ֔ה הָחֳרֵ֤ב נֶֽחֶרְבוּ֙ הַמְּלָכִ֔ים וַיַּכּ֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְעַתָּ֥ה לַשָּׁלָ֖ל מוֹאָֽב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And they saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818
• the kingsמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• are surelyחָרַבchârab chârêb · to slayH2717
• and they have smittenנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• oneאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• anotherרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• now therefore, Moabמוֹאָבmô'âb · MoabH4124
• to the spoilשָׁלָלshâlâl · spoilH7998

Cross-references for 2 Kings 3:23

• 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 3:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Therefore, Moab, to the spoil - Thus they came on in a disorderly manner, and fell an easy prey to their enemies.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The sun had risen with a ruddy light, as is frequently the case after a storm (compare Matthew 16:3), nearly over the Israelite camp, and the pits, deep but with small mouths, gleaming redly through the haze which would lie along the newly moistened valley, seemed to the Moabites like pools of blood. The preceding year, they and their allies had mutually destroyed each other 2 Chronicles 20:23. It seemed to them, from their knowledge of the jealousies…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 3:23

• Moabites

In the dictionaries

• Moab
• Colour
• Compass
• Indignation
• Jehoshaphat
• Kirharaseth
• 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