2 Kings 3:16
 2 Kings 3:16 
New International Version (©2011)
and he said, "This is what the LORD says: I will fill this valley with pools of water.

New Living Translation (©2007)
and he said, "This is what the LORD says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water!

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
He said, "Thus says the LORD, 'Make this valley full of trenches.'

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Then he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.'

International Standard Version (©2012)
so he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Fill this valley with trench after trench!'

NET Bible (©2006)
and he said, "This is what the LORD says, 'Make many cisterns in this valley,'

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he said, Thus says the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

American King James Version
And he said, Thus said the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

American Standard Version
And he said, Thus saith Jehovah, Make this valley full of trenches.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Make the channel of this torrent full of ditches.

Darby Bible Translation
And he said, Thus saith Jehovah: Make this valley full of ditches.

English Revised Version
And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of trenches.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

World English Bible
He said, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Make this valley full of trenches.'

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, Make this valley ditches -- ditches;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:6-19 The king of Israel laments their distress, and the danger they were in. He called these kings together, yet he charges it upon Providence. Thus the foolishness of man perverteth his way, and then his heart fretteth against the Lord, Pr 19:3. It was well that Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord now, but it had been much better if he had done it before he engaged in this war. Good men sometimes neglect their duty, till necessity and affliction drive them to it. Wicked people often fare the better for the friendship and society of the godly. To try their faith and obedience, Elisha bids them make the valley full of pits to receive water. Those who expect God's blessings, must dig pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, and thus make even that a well, Ps 84:6. We need not inquire whence the water came. God is not tied to second causes. They that sincerely seek for the dew of God's grace, shall have it, and by it be made more than conquerors.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches; rather, full of pits (βοθύβους, LXX.). The object was to detain the water which would otherwise have all run off down the torrent-course in a very little time.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he said, thus saith the Lord, make this valley full of ditches. In which the allied army lay encamped, that they might be ready to receive large quantities of water, sufficient for the whole army and cattle, when it came.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. Make this valley full of ditches—capable of holding water.


2 Kings 3:16 Parallel Commentaries

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Jehoram Overcomes Moab's Revolt
15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came on him. 16And he said, Thus said the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. 17For thus said the LORD, You shall not see wind, neither shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that you may drink, both you, and your cattle, and your beasts. …

2 Kings 3:15 But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came on Elisha
2 Kings 3:17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.