2 Kings 3 21

2 Kings 3:21 kjv

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 armor, and upward, and stood in the border.

2 Kings 3:21 nkjv

And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border.

2 Kings 3:21 niv

Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border.

2 Kings 3:21 esv

When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, from the youngest to the oldest, were called out and were drawn up at the border.

2 Kings 3:21 nlt

Meanwhile, when the people of Moab heard about the three armies marching against them, they mobilized every man who was old enough to strap on a sword, and they stationed themselves along their border.

2 Kings 3 verses

2 Kings 3 21 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate and desperate response of the nation of Moab upon learning that the allied forces of Israel, Judah, and Edom were advancing to attack them. Faced with an imminent invasion, Moab undertook a complete national mobilization, summoning every male who was capable of fighting, from those just old enough to bear arms up through seasoned warriors, and strategically deployed them to their national border to mount a defensive stand. It illustrates the complete alarm and unity of Moab in the face of perceived destruction.

2 Kings 3 21 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the campaign of King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom against Moab. After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel's suzerainty (2 Ki 1:1; 3:4-5). The three allied kings, attempting to take Moab by surprise by marching through the wilderness of Edom, faced severe dehydration, nearly leading to their defeat without a fight. Through the prophet Elisha, God miraculously provided abundant water (2 Ki 3:16-19). This verse captures Moab's desperate mobilization immediately after hearing of the kings' approach, but before the miraculous sight of water (which later appeared blood-red to them), highlighting their human preparation in stark contrast to God's divine provision and plan for their defeat. Their mass gathering underscores the severe existential threat they perceived.

2 Kings 3 21 Word analysis

• And when all Moab: (וְכָל-מוֹאָב - wəḵol-mō'āḇ). "All" emphasizes that the entire nation, not just its standing army, became aware and involved. Moab, historically adversarial to Israel, was a people east of the Dead Sea, characterized by strength and defiance.
• heard: (שָׁמְעוּ - sham'u). Signifies that intelligence of the advancing allied forces was swift and comprehensive throughout the Moabite kingdom, indicating an effective communication network regarding their nation's peril.
• that the kings were come up: (כִּי עָלוּ הַמְּלָכִים - kî ʿālû ham-məlāḵîm). Refers to King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the King of Edom. "Come up" denotes a military advance, often implying movement into hostile territory or an elevated strategic position.
• to fight against them: (לְהִלָּחֵם בָּהֶם - ləhillāḥēm bāhem). Explicitly states the aggressive intent of the allied coalition. Moab correctly understood the existential threat.
• they gathered all: (וַיִּזָּעֲקוּ כָּל - wayyizāʿaqū kol). "Gathered" (from the root Z.‘.Q) carries the sense of "cried out," "summoned," or "mustered," suggesting an urgent and alarming call to assembly rather than a casual gathering. It implies a widespread, compulsory national draft.
• that were able to put on armor: (חֹגֵר חֲגֹרָה - ḥōgēr ḥăgōrāh). Literally "girding a belt/sash." This idiomatic expression denotes one who is militarily fit, ready for battle, and capable of bearing weaponry. It implies readiness and competency for warfare.
• and upward: (וָמַעְלָה - wāmāʿlāh). This indicates that the mobilization was not restricted to the traditional age for conscription (often young, vigorous men). It includes all males from military age onwards, signifying a desperate, all-encompassing call to arms—even older, perhaps less able-bodied but still capable, individuals were summoned. This demonstrates total national commitment under extreme duress.
• and stood in the border: (וַיַּעַמְדוּ עַל-הַגְּבוּל - wayyaʿamdū ʿal-hag-gəbûl). Implies strategic positioning at their national frontier or a defensive line. This indicates a defensive posture, waiting to repel the invasion rather than initiating an offensive strike.

• "all Moab heard that the kings were come up": This phrase highlights the speed and totality of the intelligence spread within Moab. The news of the impending invasion created universal alarm across their territory, emphasizing the imminence of the threat.
• "gathered all that were able to put on armor, and upward": This signals a full and desperate national mobilization, going beyond a standard levy. It suggests that every male fit for battle, regardless of age beyond the initial fighting years, was called to serve. This speaks to the perceived magnitude of the invasion and their determination to survive.
• "and stood in the border": This phrase describes a crucial tactical defensive posture. Moab did not attempt to counter-invade or scatter; instead, they massed their entire able-bodied population at their border to meet the invasion head-on, awaiting the coming battle.

2 Kings 3 21 Bonus section

• The "girding a belt" phrase for preparing for action is a common idiom throughout ancient Near Eastern cultures and is also seen metaphorically in the New Testament to describe spiritual readiness (e.g., Lk 12:35, Eph 6:14).
• Moab's extensive conscription and defensive strategy reflect ancient warfare practices where entire populations could be levied in times of crisis, underscoring the severity of the threat perceived by them.
• This verse subtly foreshadows the complete surprise of the Moabite forces later (2 Ki 3:22-23), demonstrating how human strategies, even meticulously executed ones, are insignificant when God intervenes supernaturally to fulfill His plans.

2 Kings 3 21 Commentary

2 Kings 3:21 portrays the natural, desperate human reaction to an existential threat. Moab, an historical enemy of Israel, responds to the news of a three-king alliance invading their land with a full, immediate national mobilization. Every male capable of holding a weapon, from youth to older veterans, was summoned and deployed to form a defensive line at their border. This widespread call to arms, "all that were able to put on armor, and upward," illustrates the profound fear and unity that gripped the nation. The verse masterfully sets up the divine intervention that follows, contrasting Moab's human, desperate readiness with the miraculous, God-orchestrated events, reminding that no human preparation, however complete, can withstand the will of God when He moves in power.