2 Kings 3:11

Authorized King James Version

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But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֔אמֶר and said H559
וַיֹּ֔אמֶר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֗ט But Jehoshaphat H3092
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֗ט But Jehoshaphat
Strong's: H3092
Word #: 2 of 26
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
הַאֵ֨ין H369
הַאֵ֨ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 3 of 26
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
פֹּ֤ה H6311
פֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H6311
Word #: 4 of 26
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
נָבִיא֙ Is there not here a prophet H5030
נָבִיא֙ Is there not here a prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 5 of 26
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה that we may enquire H1875
וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה that we may enquire
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 7 of 26
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֵֽאוֹת֑וֹ H854
מֵֽאוֹת֑וֹ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 10 of 26
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַ֠יַּעַן answered H6030
וַ֠יַּעַן answered
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 11 of 26
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶחָ֞ד by him And one H259
אֶחָ֞ד by him And one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 12 of 26
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מֵֽעַבְדֵ֤י servants H5650
מֵֽעַבְדֵ֤י servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 13 of 26
a servant
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ of the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 14 of 26
a king
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel's H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel's
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיֹּ֔אמֶר and said H559
וַיֹּ֔אמֶר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 16 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
פֹּ֚ה H6311
פֹּ֚ה
Strong's: H6311
Word #: 17 of 26
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
אֱלִישָׁ֣ע Here is Elisha H477
אֱלִישָׁ֣ע Here is Elisha
Strong's: H477
Word #: 18 of 26
elisha, the famous prophet
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 19 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֔ט of Shaphat H8202
שָׁפָ֔ט of Shaphat
Strong's: H8202
Word #: 20 of 26
shaphat, the name of four israelites
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 21 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָ֥צַק which poured H3332
יָ֥צַק which poured
Strong's: H3332
Word #: 22 of 26
properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard
מַ֖יִם water H4325
מַ֖יִם water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 23 of 26
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 24 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְדֵ֥י on the hands H3027
יְדֵ֥י on the hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 25 of 26
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃ of Elijah H452
אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃ of Elijah
Strong's: H452
Word #: 26 of 26
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 3: God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 3 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Moabite Rebellion and God's Deliverance) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection

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