2 Kings 3:19
2 Kings 3:19 in Multiple Translations
And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”
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.
And 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.
And you are to put every walled town to destruction, cutting down every good tree, and stopping up every water-spring, and making all the good land rough with stones.
You will conquer every fortified town, and every important town. You will chop down every good tree, block up every spring, and spoil every good field by throwing stones on them.”
And ye shall smite euery strong towne and euery chiefe citie, and shall fell euery faire tree, and shall stoppe all the fountaines of water, and marre euery good fielde with stones.
and ye have smitten every fenced city, and every choice city, and every good tree ye cause to fall, and all fountains of waters ye stop, and every good portion ye mar with stones.'
You shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’”
And ye shall smite every fortified 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.
And you shall destroy every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall cut down every fruitful tree, and shall stop up all the springs of waters, and every goodly field you shall cover with stones.
You will conquer all their beautiful cities, cities that have high walls around them. You must cut down all their fruit trees, stop water from flowing from their springs, and ruin their fertile fields by covering them with rocks.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 3:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 3:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הִכִּיתֶ֞ם
כָּל
עִ֤יר
מִבְצָר֙
וְ/כָל
עִ֣יר
מִבְח֔וֹר
וְ/כָל
עֵ֥ץ
טוֹב֙
תַּפִּ֔ילוּ
וְ/כָל
מַעְיְנֵי
מַ֖יִם
תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ
וְ/כֹל֙
הַ/חֶלְקָ֣ה
הַ/טּוֹבָ֔ה
תַּכְאִ֖בוּ
בָּ/אֲבָנִֽים
וְ/הִכִּיתֶ֞ם
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עִ֤יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs
מִבְצָר֙
mibtsâr
H4013
fortification
N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
עִ֣יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs
מִבְח֔וֹר
mibchôwr
H4004
choice
N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
טוֹב֙
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
תַּפִּ֔ילוּ
nâphal
H5307
to fall
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
מַעְיְנֵי
maʻyân
H4599
spring
N-mp
מַ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ
çâtham
H5640
to close
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
וְ/כֹל֙
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
הַ/חֶלְקָ֣ה
chelqâh
H2513
portion
Art | N-fs
הַ/טּוֹבָ֔ה
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Art | Adj
תַּכְאִ֖בוּ
kâʼab
H3510
to pain
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
בָּ/אֲבָנִֽים
ʼeben
H68
stone
Prep | N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 3:19
וְ/הִכִּיתֶ֞ם
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עִ֤יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מִבְצָר֙
mibtsâr
H4013
"fortification"
N-ms
This word describes a strong, fortified place like a castle or a fenced city, providing protection and safety. It is used in the Bible to describe secure and defended locations.
Definition: fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold). See also: Numbers 13:19; Isaiah 34:13; Psalms 89:41.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עִ֣יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מִבְח֔וֹר
mibchôwr
H4004
"choice"
N-ms
This word means choice or select, describing something or someone of high quality. It is used to describe the best of something.
Definition: choice Another spelling of miv.char (מִבְחָר "best" H4005)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: choice. See also: 2 Kings 3:19.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
טוֹב֙
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
תַּפִּ֔ילוּ
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מַעְיְנֵי
maʻyân
H4599
"spring"
N-mp
A mayan was a spring or fountain, and can also refer to a source of satisfaction. It is mentioned in the Bible as a physical spring, but also figuratively as a source of joy or comfort.
Definition: spring
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: fountain, spring, well. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 87:7; Psalms 74:15.
מַ֖יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ
çâtham
H5640
"to close"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This Hebrew word means to stop or block something, like covering a hole. It can also mean to keep a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding or concealing things, like in Psalm 139:15.
Definition: 1) to stop up, shut up, keep close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stop up 1a2) to shut up, keep close 1a3) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stopped up 1c) (Piel) to stop up
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: closed up, hidden, secret, shut out (up), stop. See also: Genesis 26:15; Nehemiah 4:1; Psalms 51:8.
וְ/כֹל֙
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/חֶלְקָ֣ה
chelqâh
H2513
"portion"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to smoothness, but can also imply flattery or slippery behavior. In some cases, it describes a plot of land or a portion of ground. The Bible uses this word to warn against smooth talk and deceitful actions.
Definition: 1) portion, parcel 1a) of ground
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: field, flattering(-ry), ground, parcel, part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing). See also: Genesis 27:16; 2 Kings 9:21; Psalms 12:3.
הַ/טּוֹבָ֔ה
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
תַּכְאִ֖בוּ
kâʼab
H3510
"to pain"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
To feel pain or grief, this Hebrew word describes physical or emotional hurt. It can also mean to cause pain or spoil something, and is translated in different ways in the KJV Bible, including 'grieve' and 'sorrowful'.
Definition: 1) to be in pain, be sore, have pain, be sorrowful 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be in pain (physical) 1a2) to be in pain (mental) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause pain, hurt, mar 1b2) pain, mar (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: grieving, mar, have pain, make sad (sore), (be) sorrowful. See also: Genesis 34:25; Psalms 69:30; Proverbs 14:13.
בָּ/אֲבָנִֽים
ʼeben
H68
"stone"
Prep | N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Definition: : weight 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror 1j2) perverse, hard heart
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). See also: Genesis 2:12; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 91:12.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 3:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 3:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 3:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 3:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 3:19
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 3:19
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
- Sermons on 2 Kings 3:19
Context — Moab’s Rebellion
17For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’
18This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.
19And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”
20The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. 21Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 13:17 | “Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 20:19–20 | When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. You must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them? But you may destroy the trees that you know do not produce fruit. Use them to build siege works against the city that is waging war against you, until it falls. |
| 3 | Judges 6:16 | “Surely I will be with you,” the LORD replied, “and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 23:2 | So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” |
| 5 | Numbers 24:17 | I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 15:3 | Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” |
| 7 | 2 Kings 3:25 | They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well. |
2 Kings 3:19 Summary
This verse, 2 Kings 3:19, is a command from God to the kings to destroy the Moabites' cities, trees, springs, and fields as a judgment for their rebellion. This shows that God is serious about sin and will punish those who disobey Him, as seen in other passages like Numbers 32:23. However, it also reminds us that God is a God of mercy and provision, as demonstrated in the preceding verses, 2 Kings 3:17-18, where He provides water for the kings' armies. By trusting in God's power and provision, we can face our own challenges with confidence, just like the kings in this verse, and remember that God's ways are higher than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God instruct the kings to destroy the good trees, springs, and fields in 2 Kings 3:19?
This instruction is part of God's judgment on the Moabites for their rebellion against Him, as seen in other passages like Deuteronomy 20:19-20, where God commands the Israelites to destroy the trees of their enemies in certain circumstances.
Is this kind of destruction still applicable today?
No, this specific command was given to the kings in a particular historical context and is not a general principle for believers today, as seen in Jesus' teachings on loving our enemies in Matthew 5:44 and doing good to those who persecute us in Romans 12:14-21.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows that God is a God of justice and judgment, as seen in Isaiah 30:18, and that He will ultimately punish those who rebel against Him, but it also highlights His mercy and provision, as demonstrated in the preceding verse, 2 Kings 3:17-18, where He provides water for the kings' armies.
What is the significance of cutting down every good tree and ruining every good field with stones?
This act of destruction signifies the complete devastation of the Moabites' resources and livelihood, leaving them without the means to sustain themselves, much like the destruction of the enemies of God in Isaiah 34:8-15, and serves as a warning to other nations of the consequences of rebellion against God.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's attitude towards rebellion and disobedience, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- How can I balance the idea of God's judgment with His mercy and love, as seen in other passages like Psalm 103:8-12?
- In what ways can I be like the kings in this verse, trusting in God's power and provision even in the face of overwhelming circumstances, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 31:6-8?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and provision, and how can I apply the lessons from this verse to those areas?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 3:19
And ye shall smite every fenced city and every choice city,.... That is, the inhabitants of them with the sword, and demolish them also, 2 Kings 3:25, and shall fell every good tree; which seems
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
This is either, first, A command; and then the last clause is an exception from that law, , which being delivered by a prophet, might be obeyed. And if this command seem severe, it must be considered that the Moabites were a very wicked people, perfidious, cruel, implacable enemies to God’ s people upon all occasions, and now in a state of rebellion. Or rather, secondly, A prediction of their success, that they should have so full and complete a victory, that they should be able to do all which is here expressed.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
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.Ver. 19. And ye shall smite every fenced city.] Omnia anathemati devovebitis. Spoiling Moab shall be utterly spoiled. And mar every good piece of land,] Heb., Grieve or afflict; Nam lapides sunt quaedam pestes agrorum.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
(19) And ye shall smite . . . shall fell . . .—These verbs are continuative of those in the last verse, i.e., they do not command a course of action, but foretell it. (Comp. 2 Kings 8:12-13.) Taken as commands, they appear to conflict with Deuteronomy 20:19, where the felling of an enemy’s fruit trees for the purposes of siege-works is forbidden. Keil, however, explains that the law relates to Canaanite territory which the Israelites were to occupy, whereas Moab’s was an enemy’s country, and therefore not to be spared. Fenced city . . . choice city.—There is a paronomasia, or play on words of similar sound, in the Hebrew: ‘îr mibçâr . . . ‘îr mibhôr.Every good tree—i.e., fruit-bearing trees. Stop.—Genesis 26:15; Genesis 26:18. Mar.—Literally, make to grieve: a poetical expression. An unfruitful land is said to mourn (Isaiah 24:4; Jeremiah 12:4). Every good piece of land.—All the good demesne (literally, portion, allotment).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
Verse 19. Shall fell every good tree] Every tree by which your enemies may serve themselves for fortifications, c. But surely fruit trees are not intended here for this was positively against the law of God, Deuteronomy 20:19-20: "When thou shalt besiege a city - thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof - for the tree of the field is man's life - only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down." Stop all wells of water] In those hot countries this would lead sooner than any thing else to reduce an enemy. Mar every good piece of land with stones.] Such a multitude of men, each throwing a stone on a good field as they passed, would completely destroy it.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 3:19
19. and shall fell every good tree] Some persons have seen in Elisha’s language here a contradiction to Deuteronomy 20:19, where in the siege of a city the Israelites are forbidden to cut down the fruit trees. But in that place the reference is to the trees of Canaan, where the people were themselves to settle and live. The land of Moab was not to be occupied by them, therefore they were bidden to destroy everything in it. In Deuteronomy it is expressly said, ‘Thou shalt not destroy them, for thou mayest eat of them’. stop all wells [R.V. fountains] of water] As water in the east is mostly reached by digging, what is here meant is that all such places should be filled up, so that the work of obtaining water might have all to be done over again. The R.V. gives ‘fountains’ in verse 25 also. mar every good piece of land] The verb, when used elsewhere, signifies ‘to give, or have, pain’. So Job 5:18, ‘He maketh sore’. Ezekiel 13:22, ‘I have not made sad’. The LXX. translates here, ‘ye shall render useless’. The expression is somewhat poetical, representing the land as mourning because it is rendered unfruitful. But a similar figure, though not the same word, is found Jeremiah 12:4, ‘How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither?’
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 3:19
Ye shall fell every good tree - This is not an infringement of the rule laid down in Deuteronomy 20:19-20.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 3:19
19. Fell every good tree — This is by no means a mere prophecy, as Wordsworth says; a simple prediction of what the allied armies would inflict on Moab; but a command as plain and positive as that by
Sermons on 2 Kings 3:19
| Sermon | Description | |
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Prayer Sighs by A.W. Pink | Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 36031 preaches on the concept of becoming useless, as described by the Greek word 'achreioo', meaning to make unprofitable or morally corrupt. |
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Care for God's Fruit-Trees by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes the importance of caring for God's 'fruit-trees,' which symbolize His servants, while being vigilant against false teachings and harmful influences. He dr |
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(Through the Bible) Judges 1-7 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Judges in the Bible. He highlights the recurring pattern of the Israelites turning away from God and falling into oppression, onl |
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A Sure Thing by Walter Wilson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a book called "Yes, It's Then Forever" by Henry Bicker Stepp, which is an allegory about the author's death and his encounter with Jesus. The |
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Learn to Stand Up and Fight on Your Own by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of learning to fight our own battles, rather than relying solely on others for deliverance. He draws parallels with Gideon, who, despite Go |
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(2 Samuel) More Anointing, More War by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the need for Christians to have a mature understanding of the spiritual battle they face. He uses the example of a young man in military tra |
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(Through the Bible) 1 Samuel by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the contrasting lives of Saul and David in the book of 1 Samuel. It highlights Saul's downfall due to disobedience, fear of people, lack of repentance, and |