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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 3:22 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/3-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/12_2Ki_03_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 3:22 - Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/3-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/3-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm" title="2 Kings 3:21">◄</a> 2 Kings 3:22 <a href="/2_kings/3-23.htm" title="2 Kings 3:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But when they got up the next morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it appear red to the Moabites—like blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they rose early in the morning and the sun shone on the water, the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>as</i> red as blood:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side <i>as</i> red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite <i>them</i> as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They rose early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they rose early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite <i>them</i> as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they rose early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite <i>them</i> as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early the <i>next</i> morning, the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water across from <i>them</i> as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and the Moabites saw that the water across from them was red like blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and the Moabites saw that the water across from them was red like blood.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them as red as blood:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When they got up that morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it look red. The Moabite troops took one look <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them as red as blood:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the Moabites got up early in the morning as the sun was rising over the water, they saw the water from a distance. It was as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When they got up the following morning, the sun was shining on the water, making it look as red as blood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As the Moabites arose early that morning, the sun cast its rays on the water, and to the Moabites, the water across from them appeared to be red like blood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When they got up early the next morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites, who were some distance away, the water looked red like blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them as red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they rose 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they rise early in the morning, and the sun has shone on the waters, and the Moabites see, from opposite [them], [that] the waters [are] red as blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they rise early in the morning, and the sun hath shone on the waters, and the Moabites see, from over-against, the waters red as blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will rise early in the morning, and the sun rose upon the waters and Moab will see from opposite the waters red as blood:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they rose early in the morning, and the sun being now up, and shining upon the waters, the Moabites saw the waters over against them red, like blood, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And rising up in early morning, and when the sun was now rising before the waters, the Moabites saw the waters opposite them, which were red like blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they rose early that morning, the sun was shining across the water. The Moabites saw the water as red as blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When they rose early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they arose at dawn, and the sun arose on the waters, and the Moabites saw from opposite the waters that they were red as blood.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water some way off as red as blood;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they rose early in the morning, and the sun rose upon the waters, and Moab saw the waters on the opposite side red as blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/3-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=830" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/3.htm">Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>Now 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. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7925.htm" title="7925: way·yaš·kî·mū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; but used only as denominative from shkem; literally, to load up, i.e. To start early in the morning.">When they got up early</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: ḇab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">in the morning,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: wə·haš·še·meš (Conj-w, Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun</a> <a href="/hebrew/2224.htm" title="2224: zā·rə·ḥāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To rise, come forth. A primitive root; properly, to irradiate, i.e. To rise; specifically, to appear.">was shining</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/122.htm" title="122: ’ă·ḏum·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Red. From 'adam; rosy.">as red</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: kad·dām (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">as blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/4124.htm" title="4124: mō·w·’āḇ (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Lot, also his desc. and the territory where they settled. ">to the Moabites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: min·ne·ḡeḏ (Prep-m) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">across the way.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>“This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Exodus 7:20-21</a></span><br />Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a></span><br />and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Judges 7:22</a></span><br />And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15-16</a></span><br />Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God. / Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-24.htm">1 Samuel 17:24</a></span><br />When all the men of Israel saw Goliath, they fled from him in great fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-13.htm">1 Kings 20:13-14</a></span><br />Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’” / “By whom?” Ahab asked. And the prophet replied, “This is what the LORD says: ‘By the young officers of the district governors.’” “Who will start the battle?” asked Ahab. “You will,” answered the prophet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18-20</a></span><br />As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. / And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. / When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6-7</a></span><br />For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/48-4.htm">Psalm 48:4-6</a></span><br />For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. / They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror. / Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-2.htm">Isaiah 19:2-3</a></span><br />“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. / Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36-37</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/38-21.htm">Ezekiel 38:21-23</a></span><br />And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother. / I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. / I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and I will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-6.htm">Matthew 24:6-7</a></span><br />You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-7.htm">Mark 13:7-8</a></span><br />When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-9.htm">Luke 21:9-11</a></span><br />When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” / Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. / There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:</p><p class="hdg">This is blood</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18-20</a></b></br> And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6</a></b></br> For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, <i>even</i> the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.</p><p class="hdg">slain [heb] destroyed </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Exodus 15:9</a></b></br> The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/5-30.htm">Judges 5:30</a></b></br> Have they not sped? have they <i>not</i> divided the prey; to every man a damsel <i>or</i> two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, <i>meet</i> for the necks of <i>them that take</i> the spoil?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/20-25.htm">2 Chronicles 20:25</a></b></br> And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">Early</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Facing</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm">Moabites</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-26.htm">Red</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-7.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-16.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-2.htm">Shone</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Side</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-36.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Water</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/3-23.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-15.htm">Early</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-13.htm">Facing</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">Moabites</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-15.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-25.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-14.htm">Red</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/ezra/8-27.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Shone</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Side</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-25.htm">Water</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-10.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-1.htm">Jehoram's reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">Mesha rebels</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-6.htm">Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-13.htm">by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm">The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">The king of Moab sacrifices his son, and raises the siege</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When they got up early in the morning</b><br>This phrase sets the scene for a significant event. In biblical times, rising early was often associated with diligence and readiness for action. The early morning light can symbolize new beginnings or divine intervention. In the context of this passage, it marks the moment before a miraculous event unfolds, reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God acts at dawn, such as the crossing of the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Exodus 14:27</a>).<p><b>the sun was shining on the water</b><br>The sun's reflection on the water is a natural phenomenon that plays a crucial role in the unfolding events. This detail highlights the importance of God's creation in His plans. The sun, often a symbol of God's glory and presence, here becomes an instrument in His strategy. The water, provided miraculously in the desert (<a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">2 Kings 3:20</a>), is now used to deceive the Moabites, showcasing God's sovereignty over nature.<p><b>and it looked as red as blood</b><br>The appearance of the water as blood is a pivotal moment in the narrative. This optical illusion is reminiscent of the first plague in Egypt, where the Nile turned to blood (<a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Exodus 7:20</a>). It serves as a divine tactic to confuse and mislead the Moabites. Blood is often associated with judgment and sacrifice in the Bible, foreshadowing the coming defeat of the Moabites and pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood brings redemption.<p><b>to the Moabites across the way</b><br>The Moabites, descendants of Lot (<a href="/genesis/19-37.htm">Genesis 19:37</a>), were often in conflict with Israel. Their position "across the way" indicates their readiness for battle, yet they are deceived by what they see. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God using the plans of His enemies against them, as seen in stories like that of Haman in Esther. The Moabites' misinterpretation of the scene underscores the futility of opposing God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moabites.htm">Moabites</a></b><br>A nation descended from Moab, the son of Lot. They were often in conflict with Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, led by King Jehoram, who were in alliance with Judah and Edom against Moab.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jehoram.htm">Jehoram</a></b><br>The king of Israel who sought to subdue Moab after they rebelled against his rule.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jehoshaphat.htm">Jehoshaphat</a></b><br>The king of Judah who allied with Jehoram in the campaign against Moab.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/edom.htm">Edom</a></b><br>A neighboring nation that joined Israel and Judah in their military campaign against Moab.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_battle.htm">God's Sovereignty in Battle</a></b><br>God can use natural phenomena to achieve His purposes. The reflection of the sun on the water was perceived as blood, leading to the Moabites' confusion and eventual defeat.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perception_vs._reality.htm">Perception vs. Reality</a></b><br>The Moabites' misinterpretation of the water as blood teaches us about the dangers of relying solely on human perception without seeking divine insight.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_strategy.htm">Divine Strategy</a></b><br>God's strategies often defy human logic. Trusting in His plans, even when they seem unconventional, can lead to victory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_among_believers.htm">Unity Among Believers</a></b><br>The alliance between Israel, Judah, and Edom highlights the importance of unity among God's people in facing common challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The Israelites' obedience in following God's instructions, despite the odds, demonstrates the importance of faith in action.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_moabites_see_water_as_blood.htm">Why did the Moabites mistake clear water for blood in broad daylight (2 Kings 3:22–23)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_2_kings_3_battle.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence to support this battle's events and outcome (2 Kings 3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_water_appear_in_the_desert.htm">How could water supernaturally appear in a desert valley without rain or wind (2 Kings 3:17)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'strike_the_shepherd'_mean.htm">Did the Moabite king sacrifice his son?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">They rose up early.</span>--The Moabite camp on the frontier mountains.<p><span class= "bld">And the sun shone upon the water.</span>--A parenthesis (<span class= "ital">now the sun had risen upon the water</span>). The red sunrise tinged the water with the same colour.<p><span class= "bld">On the other side.</span>--<span class= "ital">Min-neged</span>, "opposite," "over against them" (<a href="/2_kings/2-7.htm" title="And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.">2Kings 2:7</a>; <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm" title="And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.">2Kings 2:15</a>). The sun rose behind the Moabites.<p><span class= "bld">Red.</span>--'<span class= "ital">Ad?m</span>. There may be an allusion to the red earth of the locality (Edom), which would further redden the water.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">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.</span> The red hue of the water is ascribed by Ewald to "the red tinge of the soil" in the part of Edom where the rain had fallen ('History of Israel,' vol. 4. p. 88); by Keil, to "the reddish earth of the freshly dug trenches," or pits ('Commentary on 2 Kings,' p. 305); but the only cause of the redness mentioned either in Kings or in Josephus is the ruddy hue of the sunrise. A ruddy sunrise is common in the East, more especially in stormy weather (see <a href="/matthew/16-3.htm">Matthew 16:3</a>); and the red light, falling upon the water in the pits, and reflected thence to the opposite side of the wady, would quite sufficiently account for the mistake of the Moabites, without supposing that the water was actually stained and discolored. The Moabites concluded that the red-looking liquid was blood, from knowing that the wady was dry the day before, and from not suspecting that there had been any change in the night, as the storm which had caused the change was at such a distance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/3-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When they got up early</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaš·kî·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7925.htm">Strong's 7925: </a> </span><span class="str2">To load up, to start early in the morning</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the morning,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַבֹּ֔קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇab·bō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sun</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haš·še·meš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was shining</span><br /><span class="heb">זָרְחָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(zā·rə·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2224.htm">Strong's 2224: </a> </span><span class="str2">To irradiate, to rise, to appear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the water,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [it]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">looked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרְא֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[as] red</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֻמִּ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏum·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_122.htm">Strong's 122: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rosy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as blood</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּדָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(kad·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the Moabites</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹאָ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4124.htm">Strong's 4124: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled</span><br /><br /><span class="word">across the way.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנֶּ֛גֶד</span> <span class="translit">(min·ne·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/3-22.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 3:22 They rose up early in the morning (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 3:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 3:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/3-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 3:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 3:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>