2 Kings 3:21-27

21 Soothly all the men of Moab heard, that these kings had gone up to fight against them; and they called together all men, that were gird with a knight's girdle above, and they stood in the terms. (And all the Moabites heard, that these kings had gone up to fight against them; and they called together all the men who were girded with a horseman's girdle, and who were stationed at the border.)
22 And men of Moab rose full early, and when the sun was risen then even against the waters, they saw the waters (as) red as blood even against them. (And the men of Moab rose up very early, and when the sun rose up over the water, they saw that the water before them was as red as blood/was red like blood.)
23 And they said, It is the blood of (the) sword, that is, shed out by (the) sword; [the] kings have fought against themselves, and they be slain together (and they have killed one another); now go thou, Moab, to the prey.
24 And they went into the castles of Israel; forsooth Israel rose, and smote Moab, and they fled before the men of Israel. Then they that had over-come, came, and smote Moab, (And they went to the tents, or to the camp, of the Israelites; but Israel rose up, and struck down the Moabites, and they fled before the men of Israel. Then the Israelites came forth, and entered, and struck down the Moabites in their own land,)
25 and destroyed their cities; and all men sending stones filled each best field, and stopped all the wells of waters, and cut down all the trees bearing fruit, so that only [the] earthen walls were left; and the city was compassed of men setting engines, and it was smitten by great part thereof. (and destroyed their cities; and all the men threw stones, and filled up each best field, and they stopped, or closed up, all the water wells, or all the springs, and cut down all the fruit-bearing trees, so that only the walls in Kirhareseth were left; and the city was encompassed, or surrounded, with men setting up engines, or bulwarks, and a great part of it was struck down.)
26 And when the king of Moab had seen this, that is, that the enemies had the mastery, he took with him seven hundred men drawing out swords, that they should break (through) into the king of Edom; and they might not. (And when the king of Moab had seen this, that is, that the enemies had the mastery, he took with him seven hundred men drawing out swords, to try to break through to the king of Edom; but they could not do so.)
27 And he took his first engendered son, that should reign for him, and offered him (as) a burnt sacrifice on the wall; and great indignation was made in Israel; and anon they went away from him, and turned again into their land. (And so he took his first-born son, who would reign for him, and offered him as a burnt sacrifice on the wall; and great indignation was felt by all the Israelites; and at once they went away from him, and returned to their own land.)

2 Kings 3:21-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 3

This chapter gives the character of Jehoram king of Israel, 2Ki 3:1-3, relates the rebellion of the king of Moab against him, 2Ki 3:4,5, the war that he and his allies entered into on that account, 2Ki 3:6-9 the distress the combined army were in for want of water, their application upon this to Elisha, who promised them water, and they had it in a wonderful manner, 2Ki 3:10-20 and the chapter is concluded with the rout of the Moabites, and the barbarity of their king to his eldest son, 2Ki 3:21-27.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.