2 Kings 3 · Verse 20

2 Kings 3:20

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.
2 Kings 3:20, King James Version

2 Kings 3:20 in other translations

BSBThe next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land.
WEBIn the morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
ASVAnd 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.
YLTAnd it cometh to pass in the morning, at the ascending of the morning -present, that lo, waters are coming in from the way of Edom, and the land is filled with the waters,
DARBYAnd it came to pass in the morning, when the oblation was offered up, that behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
BBENow in the morning, about the time when the offering was made, they saw water flowing from the direction of Edom till the country was full of water.
WebsterAnd 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.

What does 2 Kings 3:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 3:20-24
20-24. when the meat offering was offered--that is, at the time of the morning sacrifice, accompanied, doubtless, with solemn prayers; and these led, it may be, by Elisha on this occasion, as on a similar one by Elijah (1Ki 18:36). behold, there came water by the way of Edom--Far from the Israelitish camp, in the eastern mountains of Edom, a great fall of rain, a kind of cloudburst, took place, by which the wady was at once filled, but they saw neither the wind nor the rains. The divine interposition was shown by introducing the laws of nature to the determined end in the predetermined way [Keil]. It brought not only aid to the Israelitish army in their distress, by a plentiful supply of water, but destruction on the Moabites, who, perceiving the water, under the refulgent rays of the morning sun, red like blood, concluded the confederate kings had quarrelled and deluged the field with their mutual slaughter; so that, rushing to their camp in full expectation of great spoil, they were met by the Israelites, who, prepared for battle, fought and pursued them. Their country was laid waste in the way, which has always been considered the greatest desolation in the East (2Ki 3:24).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 When the meat-offering was offered - This was the first of all offerings, and was generally made at sun-rising. There came water - This supply was altogether miraculous, for there was neither wind nor rain, nor any other natural means by which it could be supplied.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Kings 3:20-27
It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his account. When sinners are saying Peace, peace, destruction comes upon them: despair will follow their mad presumption. In Satan's service and at his suggestion, such horrid deeds have been done, as cause the natural feelings of the heart to shudder; like the king of Moab's sacrificing his son. It is well not to urge the worst of men to extremities; we should rather leave them to the judgment of God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Kings 3:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיְהִ֤יvay.Hiand it wasH1961
בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙va.Bo.kerin the morningH1242
כַּעֲל֣וֹתka.'a.Lotwhen went upH5927
הַמִּנְחָ֔הha.min.Chahthe offeringH4503
וְהִנֵּה\־ve.hi.neh-and there!H2009
מַ֥יִםMa.yimwatersH4325
בָּאִ֖יםba.'Im[were] comingH935
מִדֶּ֣רֶךְmi.De.rekhfrom [the] direction ofH1870
אֱד֑וֹם'e.DomEdomH123
וַתִּמָּלֵ֥אva.ti.ma.Le'and it was filledH4390
הָאָ֖רֶץha.'A.retzthe landH776
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
הַמָּֽיִם\׃ha.Ma.yimthe watersH4325

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Kings 3:20

  • Exodus 29:39-40

    The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

  • Isaiah 35:6-7

    Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

  • 1 Kings 18:36

    And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

  • Psalms 78:20

    Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

  • Psalms 78:15-16

    He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

  • Daniel 9:21

    Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when the meat.
Ex 29:39,40; 1Ki 18:36; Da 9:21
there came water.This supply was altogether miraculous; for there was neither wind nor rain, nor any other natural means to furnish it.
filled.
Ps 78:15,16,20; Isa 35:6,7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Kings 3:19

    And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

  • 2 Kings 3:20

    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.

  • 2 Kings 3:21

    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.

Read all of 2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y aconteció que por la mañana, cuando se ofrece el sacrificio, he aquí vinieron aguas por el camino de Idumea, y la tierra fué llena de aguas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et il arriva, au matin, à l’heure d’offrir l’offrande, que voici, des eaux vinrent du chemin d’Édom, et le pays fut rempli d’eau.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und es geschah am Morgen, zur Zeit da man das Speisopfer opfert, siehe, da kam Wasser des Weges von Edom her, und das Land füllte sich mit Wasser.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Factum est igitur mane, quando sacrificium offerri solet, et ecce aquæ veniebant per viam Edom, et repleta est terra aquis.