2 Kings 3:8

8 “By what route shall we attack?” he asked. “Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.

2 Kings 3:8 in Other Translations

8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

8 Then he said, "By which way shall we march?" Jehoram answered, "By the way of the wilderness of Edom."

8 Then Jehoshaphat asked, “What route will we take?” “We will attack from the wilderness of Edom,” Joram replied.

8 Which route shall we take?" "Through the badlands of Edom."

8 And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.

8 Joram asked, "Which road should we take?" Jehoshaphat answered, "The road through the desert of Edom."

8 Then he asked, "Which route should we take?" Joram replied, "The route of the wilderness of Edom."

8 "What road should we take to attack Moab?" Joram asked. "The one that goes through the Desert of Edom," Jehoshaphat answered.

2 Kings 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 3:8

And he said, which way shall we go up
&c.] That is, Jehoram said so to Jehoshaphat, consulting with him which was the best way to take to the land of Moab, whether the shortest way, over Jordan; or some other:

and he answered, the way through the wilderness of Edom;
which bordered upon it, and the same through which the Israelites passed; for Kadesh was on the extreme border of Edom, whither they came, ( Numbers 20:1 Numbers 20:16 ) and this Jehoshaphat proposed, partly that they might come upon Moab unawares, and attack them where they were weakest, and not on their guard; and partly, to take the king of Edom with them, who was no other than Jehoshaphat's deputy, and so be assisting to them, and prevent him from revolting, which otherwise he might take this opportunity of doing.

2 Kings 3:8 In-Context

6 So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel.

7 He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

8 “By what route shall we attack?” he asked. “Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.

9 So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.

10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the LORD called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”