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2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3:1
in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah
This describes the time that Joram began to reign by stating how long the current king of Judah had reigned. The meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "in the eighteenth year that Jehoshaphat was king of Judah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the eighteenth year
"year 18" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal)
Joram son of Ahab
Sometimes this man is referred to as "Jehoram." This is not the same person as the man mentioned in 2 Kings 1:17 named "Jehoram."
2 Kings 3:2
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
Here "sight" refers to Yahweh's thoughts or opinion. Alternate translation: "what Yahweh considers to be evil" or "what is evil in Yahweh's judgement" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
but not like his father and his mother
This compares how much evil he did to being less that the amount that his parents did. Alternate translation: "but he did not do as much evil as his father and mother had done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
the sacred stone pillar of Baal
This pillar was used in the worship of Baal, though it is unknown what the pillar looked like. Alternate translation: "the sacred stone pillar for worshiping Baal" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-possession)
2 Kings 3:3
he held on to the sins
This is an idiom. Here "holding on" to something means to continue doing it. Alternate translation: "he continued to commit the sins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Nebat
This is the name of a man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
he did not turn away from them
"Turning away" from something is an idiom which means to stop doing it. Alternate translation: "he did not stop committing those sins" or "he continued committing those sins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
2 Kings 3:4
He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams
Mesha had to give these things to the king of Israel because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "Every year he was forced to give 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams to the king of Israel, because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
100,000 lambs ... 100,000 rams
"one hundred thousand lambs ... one hundred thousand rams" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
2 Kings 3:5
General Information:
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2 Kings 3:6
to mobilize all Israel for war
"to prepare the people of Israel for war." Here "all Israel" refers to all of the Israelite soldiers. Alternate translation: "to mobilize all of the Israelite soldiers for war" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
2 Kings 3:7
General Information:
King Joram continues speaking to King Jehoshaphat.
Will you go with me against Moab to battle?
The word "you" refers to Jehoshaphat, but refers to both him and his army. Here "Moab" stands for "the army of Moab." Alternate translation: "Will you and your army go with me to fight against the army of Moab?" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
I will go
Jehoshaphat is saying that he and his entire army will fight with King Joram against Moab. Alternate translation: "We will go with you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses
Jehoshaphat is letting Joram use himself, his people, and his horses for his purposes. He speaks of this as if they belonged to Joram. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "We are ready to do whatever you want us to. My soldiers and my horses are ready to help you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Kings 3:8
By way of the wilderness of Edom
"By going through the wilderness of Edom"
2 Kings 3:9
the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom
This refers to the kings accompanied by their armies. Alternate translation: "the king of Israel and his army went with the king of Judah and his army and the king of Edom and his army" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
They wandered around
Possible meanings are 1) the kings were not sure where they were going, and so they changed direction often or 2) the kings knew where they were going and they walked around Moab (2 Kings 3:8).
2 Kings 3:10
What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab?
The king uses a rhetorical question to emphasize how ridiculous and terrible their situation is. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "It looks like Yahweh will allow all three of us to be captured by Moab!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
to give them into the hand of Moab
Here "Moab" refers to its army. Also, "the hand of Moab" refers to the "control" of Moab's army. Alternate translation: "to give us over to Moab's control" or "so the army of Moab will defeat us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
2 Kings 3:11
Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him?
Jehoshaphat uses a rhetorical question here to state that he is certain that there is a prophet there and to find out where he is. This may be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "I am sure there is a prophet of Yahweh here! Tell me where one is, so we may consult Yahweh by him." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Shaphat
This is the name of a man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
who poured water on the hands of Elijah
This idiom means that he was Elijah's helper. The phrase "poured water on the hands" is a description of one of the ways he served Elijah. Alternate translation: "who was a helper to Elijah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
2 Kings 3:12
The word of Yahweh is with him
This means that he is a prophet and that Yahweh tells him what to say. Alternate translation: "He speaks what Yahweh tells him to say" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
went down to him
They went to see Elijah and to consult with him about what they should do. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "went to see Elisha to ask him what they should do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Kings 3:13
What have I to do with you?
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he and the king have nothing in common. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I have nothing to do with you." or "I have nothing in common with you." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
to give them into the hand of Moab
Here the "hand of Moab" refers the Moab's "control." Alternate translation: "to give them over to the control of Moab" or "to allow them to be captured by the Moabite army" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
2 Kings 3:14
As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, if I ... look at you
"As I know that Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, if I ... look at you." Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh is alive to the certainty that, if it were not for Jehoshaphat being there, he would not pay attention to Joram. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: "As surely as Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I promise you, if I ... look at you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
before whom I stand
Here serving Yahweh is spoken of as standing in his presence. Alternate translation: "whom I serve" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
if I did not honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you
Elisha described a situation that was not real. He really did honor the presence of the king of Judah, so he paid attention to the king of Israel. It can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: "it is only because I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah that I pay attention to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hypo)
I did not honor the presence of Jehoshaphat
Here Jehoshaphat is referred to by his presence. Alternate translation: "I honor Jehoshaphat" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you
These two phrases have similar meaning and are used together to emphasize that he would not pay any attention to Joram. Alternate translation: "I would not have anything at all to do with you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
2 Kings 3:15
Then it came to pass
"And it happened that"
harpist
someone who plays the harp
the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha
Here Yahweh's "hand" refers to his "power." Alternate translation: "the power of Yahweh came upon Elisha" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
2 Kings 3:16
trenches
A trench is a long ditch that workers dig in the ground to collect water.
2 Kings 3:17
this river valley will be filled with water
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will fill this river valley with water" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
you will drink
This refers to drinking the water that Yahweh provides. Alternate translation: "you will drink the water" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Kings 3:18
This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh's judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "Yahweh considers this as an easy thing to do" or "This is an easy thing for Yahweh to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
2 Kings 3:19
fortified city
A fortified city is well protected from enemies by such things as high walls or a easily defensible location.
ruin every good piece of land with rocks
This means to put rocks on the fertile land so that it is difficult to use. The meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: "ruin every good piece of land by covering them with rocks" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
2 Kings 3:20
there came water
"water began flowing"
the country was filled with water
"and soon the country became filled with water"
country
land, ground
2 Kings 3:21
Now
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells background information about the Moabite army preparing to meet the three kings and their armies in battle. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
all who were able to put on armor
Here "armor" represents ability to fight. Alternate translation: "all the men who could fight" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the kings had come
Here the word "kings" refers to both the kings and their armies. Alternate translation: "the kings had come with their armies" or "the kings and their armies had come" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
2 Kings 3:22
it looked as red as blood
This compares the red appearance of the water to the color of blood. Alternate translation: "it was red like blood" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
2 Kings 3:23
So now, Moab
The soldiers are referring to themselves here as "Moab." Alternate translation: "soldiers of Moab" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
plunder them
"steal their belongings." After an army defeated their enemies, they would often plunder their towns by stealing whatever was left of value.
2 Kings 3:24
camp of Israel
Here "Israel" refers only to the Israelite soldiers and not to the whole nation of Israel. Alternate translation: "the area where the Israelite soldiers had set up their tents" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Israel rose up
Here "Israel" refers only to the Israelite soldiers and not to the whole nation of Israel. Alternate translation: "the Israelite soldiers rose up" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
rose up
began to act purposefully
fled before them
"ran away from them"
2 Kings 3:25
Kir Hareseth
This is the capital of Moab. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
was left with its rocks in place
The walls and buildings of the city were made of stones. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "still had its stone walls and buildings in place" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
with slings
A "sling" is piece of animal skin with long cords at both ends in which a person can put a stone or other small, hard object and throw it a long distance.
2 Kings 3:26
King Mesha
Translate the name of this king the same as you did in 2 Kings 3:4.
that the battle was lost
"that his army was being defeated"
seven hundred swordsmen
"700 swordsmen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
swordsmen
soldiers who fight with swords
break through
"force their way through." There were many soldiers fighting on the battlefield which made it difficult to move though the crowd.
2 Kings 3:27
offered him as a burnt offering
King Mesha burned his son with fire until he died. He did this as an offering to Chemosh, the false god of Moab. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
So there was great anger against Israel
Here the word "anger" can be expressed as a verb. There are two possibilities for who is angry here: 1) The Moabite soldiers. Alternate translation: "So the Moabite soldiers were very angry with Israel" or 2) God. Alternate translation: "So God was very angry with Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)