2 Kings 3:17
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
You will see neither wind nor rain, says the LORD, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals.

English Standard Version
For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’

Berean Standard Bible
For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

King James Bible
For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

New King James Version
For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’

New American Standard Bible
For the LORD says this: ‘You will not see wind, nor will you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you will drink, you, your livestock, and your other animals.

NASB 1995
“For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.

NASB 1977
“For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.

Legacy Standard Bible
For thus says Yahweh, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your livestock and your cattle.

Amplified Bible
For thus says the LORD, ‘You will not see wind or rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, so you and your cattle and your other animals may drink.

Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

American Standard Version
For thus saith Jehovah, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, and ye shall drink, both ye and your cattle and your beasts.

Contemporary English Version
You won't feel any wind or see any rain, but there will be plenty of water for you and your animals.

English Revised Version
For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet that valley shall be filled with water: and ye shall drink, both ye and your cattle and your beasts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You will not see wind or rain, but this valley will be filled with water. You, your cattle, and your other animals will drink.

Good News Translation
Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.'"

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: 'Though you won't see wind or storm, nevertheless that river will overflow with water so that you, your cattle, and your livestock may drink.'

Majority Standard Bible
For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’

NET Bible
for this is what the LORD says, 'You will not feel any wind or see any rain, but this valley will be full of water and you and your cattle and animals will drink.'

New Heart English Bible
For thus says the LORD, 'You will not see wind, neither will you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your animals.

Webster's Bible Translation
For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

World English Bible
For Yahweh says, ‘You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, both you and your livestock and your other animals.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for thus said YHWH: You do not see wind, nor do you see rain, and that valley is full of water, and you have drunk—you, and your livestock, and your beasts.

Young's Literal Translation
for thus said Jehovah, Ye do not see wind, nor do ye see rain, and that valley is full of water, and ye have drunk -- ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus said Jehovah, Ye shall not see wind, and ye shall not see rain; and that torrent shall be full of water, and ye drunk, and your possessions, and your cattle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thus saith the Lord: You shall not see wind, nor rain: and yet this channel shall be filled with waters, and you shall drink, you and your families, and your beasts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For thus says the Lord: You shall not see wind or rain. And yet this channel shall be filled with water. And you shall drink, you and your families, and your beasts of burden.

New American Bible
For the LORD says: Though you will see neither wind nor rain, yet this wadi will be filled with water for you to drink, and for your livestock and pack animals.

New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the LORD, ‘You shall see neither wind nor rain, but the wadi shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your cattle, and your animals.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD: You shall not see wind, neither shall you see rain; yet this valley shall be filled with water, that you may drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus says LORD JEHOVAH: You will see no wind and no rain, and this valley will be filled with water, and you shall drink, and your beasts.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the LORD: Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet that valley shall be filled with water; and ye shall drink, both ye and your cattle and your beasts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet this valley shall be filled with water, and ye, and your flocks, and your cattle shall drink.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion
16and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ 17For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink— you and your cattle and your animals.’ 18This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Joshua 3:15-17
Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. / The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan.

Isaiah 41:18
I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.

Isaiah 43:19-20
Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. / The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

Psalm 107:35
He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.

Psalm 114:3-8
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; / the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, ...

1 Kings 18:41-45
And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” / So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. / “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” ...

2 Kings 4:3-6
“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. / Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.” / So she left him, and after she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing jars to her, and she kept pouring. ...

2 Kings 7:6-7
For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.

Isaiah 35:6-7
Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. / The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.

Ezekiel 47:1-9
Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. / As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. ...

John 2:7-9
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

John 4:13-14
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Matthew 14:25-33
During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. / When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. / But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

For 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.

Ye shall not

1 Kings 18:36-39
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word…

Psalm 84:6
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Psalm 107:35
He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

that ye may

Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:8-11
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink…

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Animals Armies Beasts Cattle Drink Drunk Filled Full Livestock Rain Stream-Bed Valley Water Wind
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,
13. 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 sacrifices his son, and raises the siege














For the LORD says
This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which underscores His faithfulness and power. In the context of ancient Israel, a word from Yahweh was absolute and unchangeable, providing assurance to the people that what follows is not merely a human prediction but a divine promise.

You will see neither wind nor rain
This phrase highlights the miraculous nature of the forthcoming event. In the arid regions of the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, and rain was the usual means of replenishing water supplies. The absence of "wind" and "rain" signifies that the provision of water will defy natural expectations and processes. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation, capable of providing for His people in ways that transcend human understanding and natural laws.

Yet this valley will be filled with water
The "valley" here refers to the dry riverbeds or wadis common in the region, which would typically only fill with water during seasonal rains. The promise that it "will be filled with water" without the usual meteorological signs is a testament to God's ability to provide abundantly and supernaturally. This reflects the biblical theme of God making a way where there seems to be no way, echoing other scriptural instances where God provides miraculously, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the provision of manna in the wilderness.

And you and your cattle and your animals will drink
This phrase underscores the completeness and sufficiency of God's provision. Not only will the people benefit, but also their "cattle and animals," which were vital to their livelihood and survival. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, livestock represented wealth and sustenance, and their well-being was directly tied to the community's prosperity. This assurance of provision for both humans and animals highlights God's comprehensive care and the interconnectedness of His creation. It serves as a reminder that God's blessings are holistic, addressing all aspects of life and need.

(17) Ye shall not see wind.--Which in the east is the usual precursor of rain.

Yet that valley.--And that wady. He says "that (h-') valley," meaning "the one of which I spoke" (2Kings 3:16). Contrast "this (zeh) valley," i.e., "the one in which we are" (2Kings 3:16).

Your cattle.--Miqneh: flocks and herds, as distinguished from "beasts" (b?h?m?h), i.e., probably, beasts of burden.

Verse 17. - For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see - i.e., perceive - wind, neither shall ye see rain. Wind and rain usually go together in the East, especially when there is sudden heavy rain after a time of drought. What Elisha promises is a heavy storm of wind accompanied by violent rain, which, however, will be at such a distance that the Israelites will see nothing of it, but whereof they will experience the effects when the torrent-course that separates them from the Moabite country suddenly becomes a rushing stream as the rain flows off down it. Their "pits," or trenches, will retain a portion of the water, and furnish them with a sufficient supply for their wants. It was necessary that the storm should be distant, that the Moabites might know nothing of it, and so fall under the delusion (ver. 23), which led to their complete defeat. Yet that valley shall be filled with water. Travelers tell us that, in certain circumstances, it takes but ten minutes or a quarter of an hour for a dry water-course in the East to become a raging torrent quite impassable. That ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle - i.e., the animals which you have brought with you for food - and your boasts; i.e. your beasts of burden, or baggage-animals. Animals, except camels, suffer from drought even more than men, and die sooner. The Israelites do not appear to have ever employed camels.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says,
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘You will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see
תִרְא֥וּ (ṯir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

wind
ר֙וּחַ֙ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

or rain,
גֶ֔שֶׁם (ḡe·šem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653: Rain, shower

but the
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

valley
וְהַנַּ֥חַל (wə·han·na·ḥal)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

will be filled
יִמָּ֣לֵא (yim·mā·lê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

with water,
מָ֑יִם (mā·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and you will drink—
וּשְׁתִיתֶ֛ם (ū·šə·ṯî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

you
אַתֶּ֥ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

and your cattle
וּמִקְנֵיכֶ֖ם (ū·miq·nê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

and your animals.’
וּֽבְהֶמְתְּכֶֽם׃ (ū·ḇə·hem·tə·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal


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OT History: 2 Kings 3:17 For thus says Yahweh You shall not (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 3:16
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