2 Kings 3
1 Jehoram's reign.
4 Mesha rebels.
6 Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water, by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory.
21 The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome.
26 The king of Moab, failing in his attempt to break through to the king of Edom, sacrifices his son, and raises the siege.
Jehoram <03088> [Jehoram.]
[Joram.]
did ................................ made <06213> [wrought.]
[See on]
father .............. father <01> [but not.]
mother <0517> [and like.]
sacred pillar <04676> [image. Heb. statue. Baal.]
sin <01692> [he cleaved.]
[See on]
Israel <03478> [which made.]
turn <05493> [he departed.]
sheep breeder <05349> [a sheepmaster.]
send as tribute <07725> [rendered.]
male lambs <03733> [lambs.]
assembled <06485> [A.M. 3109. B.C. 895. numbered.]
<03212> [wilt thou go.]
Desert ... Edom <0123 04057> [the wilderness of Edom.]
The wilderness of Edom was probably the same as that of Zin or Kadesh, through which the children of Israel passed; extending southward from the Dead Sea, to the eastern branch of the Red Sea. See Note on Nu 13:21.
Edom <0123> [Edom.]
water <04325> [no water.]
<07272> [that followed them. Heb. at their feet.]
<03068> [the Lord.]
prophet <05030> [Is there not here.]
seek <01875> [that we may.]
That is, was his constant and confidential servant. Mr. Hanway, speaking of a Persian supper, says, "Supper being now brought in, a servant presented a basin of water, and a napkin hung over his shoulders; he went to every one in the company, and poured water on their hands to wash."
<01697> [The word.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
<03212> [What.]
<03212> [get.]
prophets ..... prophets <05030> [the prophets.]
Lord <03068> [Nay.]
Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
<05375> [I regard.]
acknowledge <05027> [I would not look.]
get .... musician .... musician ..... energized him <03947 05059> [bring me.]
This was evidently intended to soothe and tranquillize the prophet's mind, which had been agitated and discomposed with holy indignation by the presence of the idolatrous king, and the recollection of his abomination. The soothing influence of music is generally acknowledged in every civilized nation.
energized <03027> [the hand.]
Make ...... valley <06213 05158> [Make this valley.]
feel ..... see <07200> [Ye shall not.]
drink <08354> [that ye may.]
easy <07043> [And this.]
easy <07043> [a light.]
will ... hand <05414> [he will.]
defeat <05221> [And ye.]
chop down <05307> [fell.]
cover <03510> [mar. Heb. grieve.]
sacrifice <04503> [when the meat.]
water came <04325 0935> [there came water.]
This supply was altogether miraculous; for there was neither wind nor rain, nor any other natural means to furnish it.
filled <04390> [filled.]
mustered <06817> [gathered. Heb. were cried together. put on armour. Heb. gird himself with a girdle.]
blood <01818> [This is blood.]
It's ...... totally destroyed <02717> [slain. Heb. destroyed. now therefore.]
struck down ... Moabites .......... defeated Moab <05221 04124> [smote the.]
struck down ............ defeated <05221> [went forward. or, smote in it even.]
tore down <02040> [beat down.]
stopped up <05640> [stopped.]
chopped down <05307> [and felled.]
Kir Hareseth <07025> [only in, etc. Heb. until he left the stones thereof in]
Kir-haraseth. Kir-haraseth. Supposed to be the same as Ar, or Areopolis, the capital of Moab.
[Kir-heres.]
king ..................... king ... Edom <0123 04428> [unto the king of Edom.]
offered ... up .... burnt sacrifice <05927 05930> [offered him.]
In cases of great extremity, it was customary in various heathen nations, to offer human sacrifices, and even their own children. This was frequent among the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Scythians, Gauls, Africans, and others; and was the natural fruit of a religious system, which had for the objects of its worship cruel and merciless divinities. The king of Moab, in this case, sacrificed his son to obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, who, being a devil, delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The dearer any thing was to them, the more acceptable those idolaters thought the sacrifice, and therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour.
broke off <05265> [they departed.]
