2 Kings 3:20 kjv
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 nkjv
Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.
2 Kings 3:20 niv
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was?water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.
2 Kings 3:20 esv
The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.
2 Kings 3:20 nlt
The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere.
2 Kings 3 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 17:6 | "I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it..." | God provides water from rock in desert. |
| Num 20:11 | "And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly..." | God provides abundant water from rock. |
| Deut 8:15 | "...who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water..." | God's guidance and provision in the desert. |
| Neh 9:15 | "And gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst..." | God sustains His people miraculously. |
| Ps 78:15-16 | "He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock..." | God provides water from dry sources. |
| Ps 105:41 | "He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed in the desert like a river." | Miraculous water in arid land. |
| Isa 35:7 | "The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..." | Prophetic promise of abundant water. |
| Isa 43:20 | "...I provide water in the wilderness, streams in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people..." | God's provision even in barren places. |
| Josh 3:15-16 | "...the Jordan overfloweth... the waters... stood up upon an heap very far..." | Divine control over large bodies of water. |
| 1 Kgs 18:36-38 | "...at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near, and said... then the fire of the L ORD fell..." | Divine action following the time of sacrifice. |
| 2 Chr 7:1 | "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering..." | God's response to offerings and prayer. |
| Ps 147:8 | "He covers the heavens with clouds; He prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass grow on the mountains." | God's sovereignty over rain and nature. |
| Job 5:10 | "He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields." | God's control over rainfall. |
| Jer 14:22 | "...Are not you He, O LORD our God? Therefore we will wait upon You..." | YHWH alone controls rain and water. |
| Isa 55:11 | "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void..." | God's prophetic word is always fulfilled. |
| Josh 21:45 | "Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." | God's faithfulness to His promises. |
| 1 Cor 10:4 | "...and all drank the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock... which was Christ." | Christ as the ultimate spiritual source. |
| Zech 14:8 | "On that day living waters will flow out from Jerusalem..." | Eschatological prophecy of life-giving water. |
| Joel 2:23 | "...He pours down for you abundant rain, the autumn rain and the spring rain, as before." | God's promised outpouring and restoration. |
| Jn 4:10 | "...he would have given thee living water." | Jesus as the source of living water. |
| Rev 22:1 | "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God..." | Final revelation of divine life source. |
| Exod 16:6-7 | "...in the morning then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings..." | Morning revelation of God's glory/provision. |
| Gen 8:20-21 | "Then Noah built an altar... and offered burnt offerings... the LORD smelled a soothing aroma..." | Sacrifice preceding divine favor/action. |
| 2 Kgs 3:17-19 | "For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet this valley shall be filled with water..." | The immediate prophecy this verse fulfills. |
2 Kings 3 verses
2 Kings 3 20 Meaning
In 2 Kings 3:20, at dawn, precisely when the morning grain offering was being presented, water miraculously appeared, flowing in from the direction of Edom, and completely filled the surrounding valley. This event marked God's immediate and exact fulfillment of the prophecy given through Elisha (2 Kgs 3:17-19), providing vital sustenance for the allied armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom, who were otherwise on the verge of perishing from thirst in the desert during their campaign against Moab. It clearly demonstrated YHWH's sovereign power over creation and His perfect timing in direct response to the faith and obedience of His people.
2 Kings 3 20 Context
This verse occurs in 2 Kings Chapter 3, which recounts the military campaign involving Israel's King Jehoram, Judah's King Jehoshaphat, and the King of Edom against rebellious Moab. After a difficult seven-day march through the parched wilderness of Edom, the allied armies and their horses faced imminent death from severe dehydration. In this desperate state, King Jehoram, upon Jehoshaphat's insistence, reluctantly sought out the prophet Elisha for divine guidance. Despite his disdain for Jehoram's idolatry, Elisha, out of respect for righteous Jehoshaphat, sought the Lord's word through a minstrel's music. Elisha prophesied that, against all visible weather signs (no wind, no rain), a miraculous flow of water would fill the valley, assuring them of both physical survival and decisive victory over Moab. Verse 20 describes the precise and dramatic fulfillment of this prophecy, occurring exactly as the morning offering was being prepared, powerfully validating Elisha's divine authority and showcasing God's direct intervention.
2 Kings 3 20 Word analysis
- "And it came to pass": (Hebrew: וַיְהִי - va-yehi). A standard narrative connector in biblical Hebrew, signifying the certain realization and historical unfolding of a prophesied or promised event. It underscores divine timing and sovereignty.
- "in the morning": (Hebrew: בַּבֹּקֶר - ba-boker). The time of dawn; highly significant because this was the appointed time for daily sacrifices and offerings. It emphasizes God's perfect punctuality and the sacred timing of His miraculous intervention, tying the physical provision to spiritual obedience and worship.
- "when the meat offering was offered": (Hebrew: בַּעֲלוֹת הַמִּנְחָה - ba-'aloth ha-minchah).
- "meat offering" (מִנְחָה - minchah): In this Old Testament context, it refers to a "grain offering" or "meal offering," typically consisting of flour, oil, and frankincense, accompanying the burnt offering. It was a primary act of worship and dedication, symbolizing homage and petition to God.
- The synchronicity of the water's appearance with this specific ritual underscores God's attentiveness to His people's worship and adherence to His prescribed ordinances. It directly links divine provision to an act of faith and formal devotion, suggesting God honors the diligent practice of His commands.
- "that, behold,": (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה - ve-hineh). An interjection used to capture attention, signaling a sudden, surprising, or noteworthy event. It highlights the unexpected and undeniably miraculous nature of the water's appearance, contrasting with the army's earlier despair.
- "there came water": (Hebrew: מַיִם בָּאִים - mayim ba'im, literally "water coming"). This phrasing is crucial, as Elisha prophesied "not see wind, neither shall ye see rain" (2 Kgs 3:17). The water did not fall from the sky above them but flowed in from a distinct direction, confirming the prophetic detail. It points to an orchestrated natural event (e.g., a flash flood from unseen distant rainfall).
- "by the way of Edom": (Hebrew: מִדֶּרֶךְ אֱדוֹם - mi-derekh Edom, "from the path/direction of Edom"). This geographic detail is critical. The water originated from the highlands of Edom, flowing through its dry riverbeds (wadis) to the location of the thirsty armies. It confirms that the source was not immediate rain over their camp, but a distant, divinely controlled hydrological event, showcasing God's precision in delivering His promise. It further alludes to the land of Edom being filled with ravines and deep valleys capable of funneling floodwaters.
- "and the country was filled with water": (Hebrew: וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ מָיִם - va-timmale ha-'arets mayim, "and the land was filled with water"). "Country" (אֶרֶץ - erets) refers to the immediate dry terrain, particularly the wadi or valley where the armies were. "Filled with water" denotes an overwhelming abundance, signifying complete and lavish provision beyond mere survival. It attests to God's bountiful supply, sufficient for both men and their livestock, completely alleviating their dire thirst.
2 Kings 3 20 Bonus section
The seemingly natural source of the water (a distant flash flood, as indicated by "the way of Edom" without rain overhead) showcases a pattern of divine action where God can use or amplify natural processes to accomplish supernatural ends. This method is distinct from creation ex nihilo, yet it demonstrates equal divine control. Furthermore, this single miracle of water provision served a dual purpose in God's broader plan for victory over Moab. The next verse reveals how this very water, reflecting the dawn's light, appeared like blood to the Moabites from afar, leading them into a strategic blunder that ensured their defeat (2 Kgs 3:22-23). This demonstrates God's intricate and multifaceted orchestration, using one powerful act to solve multiple dilemmas for His people and ensure their triumph over their enemies.
2 Kings 3 20 Commentary
2 Kings 3:20 stands as a profound testament to God's precise fulfillment of His prophetic word and His sovereign control over all creation. Facing imminent destruction from dehydration in the desert, the allied armies received a miraculous, unexpected deliverance. The key is the timing of the water's appearance – concurrent with the morning grain offering, linking divine intervention directly to an act of faith and worship. The origin of the water, "by the way of Edom," not from direct rainfall above, demonstrates God's unique method of working: orchestrating natural phenomena (such as a distant flash flood) to achieve His supernatural will, thereby leaving no doubt about the divine source of their deliverance. This miraculous provision was not just for their physical survival but served as an undeniable sign validating Elisha's prophecy and affirming YHWH's absolute power over nature, contrasting Him sharply with any local pagan deities thought to control weather.