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2 Kings 3:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border.
2 Kings 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
20And it came to pass in the morning, about the time of offering the oblation, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
21Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border.
22And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them as red as blood:
23and they said, This is blood; the kings are surely destroyed, and they have smitten each man his fellow: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
24And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they went forward into the land smiting the Moabites.
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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 when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, etc.] The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom: they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward; that were of an age capable of that, and all who were more grown; or “girt on a girdle” f35, a military one, with which the sword was girt, who were at age to wear and knew how to wield a sword: and stood in the border; of their land, between Edom and them, to defend themselves and their country against these invaders.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And stood in the border - On the north side of the wady, ready to defend their territory. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The border - Of their country, to defend the passage. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 3:25”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“gathered: Heb. were cried together put on armour: Heb. gird himself with a girdle. Kg1 20:11; Eph 6:14 4 Kings (2 Kings) 3:23”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification