2 Kings 3:19

Authorized King James Version

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And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִכִּיתֶ֞ם And ye shall smite H5221
וְהִכִּיתֶ֞ם And ye shall smite
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 1 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עִ֣יר city H5892
עִ֣יר city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 3 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מִבְצָר֙ every fenced H4013
מִבְצָר֙ every fenced
Strong's: H4013
Word #: 4 of 20
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עִ֣יר city H5892
עִ֣יר city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 6 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מִבְח֔וֹר and every choice H4004
מִבְח֔וֹר and every choice
Strong's: H4004
Word #: 7 of 20
select, i.e., well fortified
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֥ץ tree H6086
עֵ֥ץ tree
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 9 of 20
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה every good H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה every good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 10 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
תַּפִּ֔ילוּ and shall fell H5307
תַּפִּ֔ילוּ and shall fell
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 11 of 20
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַעְיְנֵי all wells H4599
מַעְיְנֵי all wells
Strong's: H4599
Word #: 13 of 20
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
מַ֖יִם of water H4325
מַ֖יִם of water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 14 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ and stop H5640
תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ and stop
Strong's: H5640
Word #: 15 of 20
to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret
וְכֹל֙ H3605
וְכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַֽחֶלְקָ֣ה piece H2513
הַֽחֶלְקָ֣ה piece
Strong's: H2513
Word #: 17 of 20
properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה every good H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה every good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 18 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
תַּכְאִ֖בוּ and mar H3510
תַּכְאִ֖בוּ and mar
Strong's: H3510
Word #: 19 of 20
properly, to feel pain; by implication, to grieve; figuratively, to spoil
בָּֽאֲבָנִֽים׃ of land with stones H68
בָּֽאֲבָנִֽים׃ of land with stones
Strong's: H68
Word #: 20 of 20
a stone

Analysis & Commentary

And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 3: God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. 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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