King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 3:23 Mean?

2 Kings 3:23 in the King James Version says “And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Kings 3:23 · KJV

Context

21

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

22

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:

23

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

24

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

25

And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it. only in: Heb. until he left its stones in Kirharaseth

Read 2 Kings 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 3: God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 3 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Moabite Rebellion and God's Deliverance) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 3 regarding god's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙1 of 13

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּ֣ם2 of 13

“This is blood”

H1818

blood (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

זֶ֔ה3 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

נֶֽחֶרְבוּ֙4 of 13

“are surely”

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

נֶֽחֶרְבוּ֙5 of 13

“are surely”

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

הַמְּלָכִ֔ים6 of 13

“the kings”

H4428

a king

וַיַּכּ֖וּ7 of 13

“and they have smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אִ֣ישׁ8 of 13

“one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת9 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֵעֵ֑הוּ10 of 13

“another”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְעַתָּ֥ה11 of 13
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לַשָּׁלָ֖ל12 of 13

“to the spoil”

H7998

booty

מוֹאָֽב׃13 of 13

“now therefore Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 3:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 3:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 20:25Judges 5:30Exodus 15:92 Kings 6:18-20Isaiah 10:142 Kings 7:6

Places in This Verse

Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in 2 Kings 3 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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