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2 Kings 3:11-19

But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.”

Jehoshaphat said, “Yahweh’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother.” The king of Israel said to him, “No, for Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

Elisha said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” When the musician played, Yahweh’s hand came on him. He said, “Yahweh says, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’ For Yahweh says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals. This is an easy thing in Yahweh’s sight. He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. You shall strike every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’ ”

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here.”

    Jehoshaphat said, “Yahweh’s word is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

    Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother.” The king of Israel said to him, “No, for Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

    Elisha said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I respect the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward you, nor see you.

    But now bring me a musician.” When the musician played, Yahweh’s hand came on him.

    He said, “Yahweh says, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’

    For Yahweh says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals.

    This is an easy thing in Yahweh’s sight. He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.

    You shall strike every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’ ”

  • KJV King James Version

    But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

    And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

    And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

    But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

    And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

    For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

    And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

    And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    But Jehoshaphat said: 'Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said: 'Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.'

    And Jehoshaphat said: 'The word of the LORD is with him.' So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel: 'What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother.' And the king of Israel said unto him: 'Nay; for the LORD hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.'

    And Elisha said: 'As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

    But now bring me a minstrel.' And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

    And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: Make this valley full of trenches.

    For thus saith the LORD: Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet that valley shall be filled with water; and ye shall drink, both ye and your cattle and your beasts.

    And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.

    And ye shall smite every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all fountains of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.'

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Cross-references (99)

  • Psalms 107:35 (v17) He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.
  • Jeremiah 32:27 (v18) “Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?
  • Luke 1:37 (v18) For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
  • 1 Samuel 16:23 (v15) When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil…
  • Isaiah 41:17-18 (v17) The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will…
Show all 99 cross-references
  • Jeremiah 32:17 (v18) “Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. There is nothing too…
  • Isaiah 43:19-20 (v17) Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.…
  • Isaiah 48:21 (v17) They didn’t thirst when he led them through the deserts. He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. He also split the rock and…
  • 2 Kings 20:10 (v18) Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.”
  • Ephesians 5:18-19 (v15) Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual…
  • 1 Samuel 10:5 (v15) “After that you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it will happen, when you have come there to the…
  • 1 Kings 22:7 (v11) But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of him?”
  • Psalms 84:6 (v17) Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
  • Isaiah 49:6 (v18) Indeed, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of…
  • Ezekiel 1:3 (v15) Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and Yahweh’s hand was there on…
  • Mark 10:27 (v18) Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”
  • Ephesians 3:20 (v18) Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
  • 1 Kings 18:46 (v15) Yahweh’s hand was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
  • Exodus 17:6 (v17) Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may…
  • 1 Kings 19:21 (v11) He returned from following him, and took the yoke of oxen, and killed them, and boiled their meat with the instruments of the oxen, and…
  • 2 Kings 5:16 (v14) But he said, “As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused.
  • Ezekiel 8:1 (v15) In the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, the Lord…
  • Ezekiel 8:17 (v18) Then he said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they…
  • Numbers 20:8-11 (v17) “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its…
  • 1 Kings 3:13 (v18) I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all…
  • 1 Kings 17:1 (v14) Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there…
  • 1 Kings 18:19 (v13) Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the…
  • 1 Kings 20:13 (v18) Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver…
  • 1 Kings 22:6 (v13) Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Should I go against Ramoth Gilead to…
  • 2 Kings 3:3 (v11) Nevertheless he held to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. He didn’t depart from them.
  • Isaiah 7:1-9 (v18) In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of…
  • Deuteronomy 32:37-39 (v13) He will say, “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge; which ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their…
  • 1 Samuel 18:10 (v15) On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand,…
  • 1 Kings 20:28 (v18) A man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “Yahweh is a god of the…
  • 1 Kings 22:10-11 (v13) Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the…
  • 1 Kings 22:22-25 (v13) Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ He said, ‘I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will entice…
  • 2 Kings 2:25–3:1 (v11) He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in…
  • 2 Kings 3:10 (v13) The king of Israel said, “Alas! For Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”
  • 1 Chronicles 14:10 (v11) David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up; for…
  • 1 Chronicles 14:14 (v11) David inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the…
  • 1 Chronicles 15:13 (v11) For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the…
  • 1 Chronicles 25:1-3 (v15) Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who…
  • Psalms 74:9 (v11) We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet, neither is there among us anyone who knows how long.
  • Isaiah 7:13 (v18) He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
  • Ezekiel 3:14 (v15) So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and Yahweh’s hand was strong on me.
  • Ezekiel 3:22 (v15) Yahweh’s hand was there on me; and he said to me, “Arise, go out into the plain, and I will talk with you there.”
  • Amos 3:7 (v11) Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
  • John 13:4-5 (v11) arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the…
  • Acts 11:21 (v15) The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
  • Genesis 18:4 (v11) Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
  • Numbers 24:17 (v19) I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through…
  • Deuteronomy 20:19-20 (v19) When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against…
  • Joshua 1:1 (v11) Now after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
  • Joshua 9:14 (v11) The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.
  • Judges 6:16 (v19) Yahweh said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
  • Judges 10:14 (v13) Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen. Let them save you in the time of your distress!”
  • Judges 20:8-11 (v11) All the people arose as one man, saying, “None of us will go to his tent, neither will any of us turn to his house. But now this is the…
  • Judges 20:18 (v11) The children of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God. They asked, “Who shall go up for us first to battle against the…
  • Judges 20:23 (v11) The children of Israel went up and wept before Yahweh until evening; and they asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I again draw near to battle…
  • Judges 20:26-28 (v11) Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before Yahweh, and fasted that day…
  • Ruth 1:15 (v13) She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.”
  • 1 Samuel 3:19-21 (v12) Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel…
  • 1 Samuel 15:3 (v19) Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don’t spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing…
  • 1 Samuel 15:26-31 (v14) Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected Yahweh’s word, and Yahweh has rejected you from being king over…
  • 1 Samuel 23:2 (v19) Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” Yahweh said to David, “Go strike the Philistines,…
  • 1 Kings 14:5-18 (v14) Yahweh said to Ahijah, “Behold, Jeroboam’s wife is coming to inquire of you concerning her son; for he is sick. Tell her such and such; for…
  • 1 Kings 16:31 (v18) As if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal…
  • 1 Kings 18:15 (v14) Elijah said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
  • 1 Kings 18:36-39 (v17) At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it…
  • 1 Kings 21:20 (v14) Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil…
  • 2 Kings 2:14-15 (v12) He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” When he also had struck…
  • 2 Kings 2:21 (v12) He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘I have healed these waters. There shall not be…
  • 2 Kings 2:24-25 (v12) He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in Yahweh’s name. Then two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of…
  • 2 Kings 3:25 (v19) They beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land each man cast his stone, and filled it. They also stopped all the springs of…
  • 2 Kings 5:8-9 (v12) It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you…
  • 2 Kings 5:15 (v12) He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God…
  • 2 Kings 13:17 (v19) He said, “Open the window eastward;” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. He said, “Yahweh’s arrow of victory, even…
  • 1 Chronicles 10:13 (v11) So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of Yahweh’s word, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked…
  • 2 Chronicles 17:3-9 (v14) Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, but sought to the God of…
  • 2 Chronicles 19:3-4 (v14) Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek…
  • Psalms 15:4 (v14) in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;
  • Proverbs 1:28 (v13) Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
  • Isaiah 49:23 (v12) Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and…
  • Isaiah 60:14 (v12) The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you; and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your…
  • Jeremiah 1:18 (v14) For, behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah,…
  • Jeremiah 2:27-28 (v13) who tell wood, ‘You are my father,’ and a stone, ‘You have given birth to me,’ for they have turned their back to me, and not their face;…
  • Ezekiel 14:3-5 (v13) “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I…
  • Daniel 5:17-23 (v14) Then Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the…
  • Hosea 6:1 (v13) “Come! Let’s return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.
  • Matthew 8:29 (v13) Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
  • Matthew 22:16 (v14) They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in…
  • John 2:4 (v13) Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
  • John 13:13-14 (v11) You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also…
  • 2 Corinthians 5:16 (v13) Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:15 (v13) What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
  • Philippians 2:22 (v11) But you know the proof of him, that as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
  • 1 Timothy 5:10 (v11) being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet,…
  • Revelation 3:9 (v12) Behold, I give some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come…
  • Luke 22:26-27 (v11) But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For…

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (17 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 That is, who was his servant.

That is, who was his servant.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv11–19 2Ki 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–19 Is there not here a prophet? this he should…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv11–19 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, what…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19 Is there not, &c. - This he should have…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 Verse 11. Is there not here a prophet of…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 2Ki 3:12. The word of the Lord is with…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19 A prophet of the Lord - i. e. of…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 Elias, a proverbial expression to denote that he waited…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv11, 13, 15, 16, 17 which poured water on the hands of Elijah--that is,…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19 11. A prophet of the Lord — Observe the…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–19 11. Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–19 (11) But (and) Jehoshaphat . . . by him?—The…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv11–19 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv11, 13, 16 Elisha . . . which poured water on the…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11, 13, 15, 18 Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11, 13, 15, 18 3:11-12 Is there no prophet of the Lord with…
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