King James Version
2 Kings 3:22 in the King James Version says “And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other sid...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:”
2 Kings 3:22 · KJV
And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border. gathered: Heb. were cried together put on: Heb. gird himself with a girdle
And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. slain: Heb. destroyed
And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country. they went: or, they smote in it even smiting
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And they rose up early”
H7925literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
“and the sun”
H8121the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
“shone”
H2224properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“saw”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
“and the Moabites”
H4124moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
“on the other side”
H5048a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“as blood”
H1818blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
2 Kings 3:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.