King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 3:25 Mean?

2 Kings 3:25 in the King James Version says “And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Kings 3:25 · KJV


Context

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

26

And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.

27

Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 3: God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 25 words
וְהֶֽעָרִ֣ים1 of 25

the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יַֽהֲרֹ֡סוּ2 of 25

And they beat down

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

וְכָל3 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֶלְקָ֣ה4 of 25

piece

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

ט֣וֹב5 of 25

all the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

יַשְׁלִ֨יכוּ6 of 25

of land cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אִישׁ7 of 25

every man

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)

אֲבָנֶ֛יהָ8 of 25

his stone

H68

a stone

וּמִלְא֗וּהָ9 of 25

and filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

וְכָל10 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַעְיַן11 of 25

all the wells

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

מַ֤יִם12 of 25

of water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

יִסְתֹּ֙מוּ֙13 of 25

it and they stopped

H5640

to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret

וְכָל14 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵֽץ15 of 25

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

ט֣וֹב16 of 25

all the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

יַפִּ֔ילוּ17 of 25

and felled

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַד18 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הִשְׁאִ֧יר19 of 25

left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

אֲבָנֶ֛יהָ20 of 25

his stone

H68

a stone

בַּקִּ֖יר21 of 25
H0
חֲרָ֑שֶׂת22 of 25

only in Kirharaseth

H7025

kir-cheres or kir-chareseth, a place in moab

וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ23 of 25

went about

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

הַקַּלָּעִ֖ים24 of 25

thereof howbeit the slingers

H7051

a slinger

וַיַּכּֽוּהָ׃25 of 25

it and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)


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 3:25 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 3:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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