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2 Kings 3:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 3:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, Make this valley full of trenches.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, Make this valley full of trenches.
2 Kings 3:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And 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 Jehovah hath called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
14And Elisha said, As Jehovah 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.
15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah came upon him.
16And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, Make this valley full of trenches.
17For thus saith Jehovah, 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.
18And this is but a light thing in the sight of Jehovah: he will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
19And 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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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, thus saith the Lord, make this valley full of ditches.] In which the allied army lay encamped, that they might be ready to receive large quantities of water, sufficient for the whole army and cattle, when it came.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Make this valley full of ditches--capable of holding water.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ditches - Or “pits” Jeremiah 14:3. They were to dig pits in the broad valley or wady, wherein the water might remain, instead of flowing off down the torrent course. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Make this valley: Kg2 4:3; Num 2:18, Num 2:16-18 4 Kings (2 Kings) 3:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification