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

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, “Thus says YHWH, ‘Make this valley of pits and pits.’

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

New King James Version
And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’

NASB 1995
He said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’

NASB 1977
And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’

Amplified Bible
He said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Make this valley (the Arabah) full of trenches.’

Berean Annotated Bible
and he said, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.’

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

Contemporary English Version
The LORD says that this dry riverbed will be filled with water.

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

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

Good News Translation
and he said, "This is what the LORD says: 'Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed.

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

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

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Thus says 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.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’

World English Bible
He said, “Yahweh says, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says, “Thus said YHWH: Make this valley ditches—ditches;

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, “Thus says YHWH, ‘Make this valley of pits and pits.’

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

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Thus said Jehovah, Make this torrent, pits, pit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Make the channel of this torrent full of ditches.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Thus says the Lord: Make, in the channel of this torrent, pit after pit.

New American Bible
and he announced: “Thus says the LORD: Provide many catch basins in this wadi.

New Revised Standard Version
And he said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I will make this wadi full of pools.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, Thus says the LORD: Let this valley be made full of cisterns.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: this valley shall be made pits of pits.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Thus saith the LORD: Make this valley full of trenches.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of trenches.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion
15But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha 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.’…

Cross References
and he said,

1 Kings 22:14
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.
“This is what the LORD says:

1 Kings 13:2
And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

2 Kings 1:4
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.

1 Kings 20:13
Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’”
‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’”

1 Kings 18:32-35
And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. / Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood, / and said, “Fill four waterpots and pour the water on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it a second time,” he said, and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time. …

Psalm 65:9-10
You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. / You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth.

Psalm 107:35-37
He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs. / He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell. / They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.
Exodus 14:16
And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Joshua 3:13-17
When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” / So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / 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, …

1 Kings 18:33-35
Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood, / and said, “Fill four waterpots and pour the water on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it a second time,” he said, and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time. / So the water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

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.

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 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.

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


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Thus said the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

Make this valley

2 Kings 4:3
Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

Numbers 2:18,16-18
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud…

Jump to Previous
Dry Full Pools Stream-Bed Valley Water-Holes
Jump to Next
Dry Full Pools Stream-Bed Valley Water-Holes
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












and he said
This phrase refers to the prophet Elisha, who is speaking to the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom. Elisha, a successor of Elijah, is known for his role as a prophet during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. His words carry the authority of God, emphasizing the importance of prophetic guidance in the Old Testament.

This is what the LORD says
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind Elisha's message. In the Old Testament, prophets often prefaced their messages with this phrase to indicate that they were speaking on behalf of God. It highlights the belief in divine revelation and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’
The command to dig ditches in the valley is both practical and symbolic. Geographically, the valley likely refers to a dry riverbed or wadi, common in the region, which would fill with water during a sudden rain. Historically, this act of faith required the armies to prepare for God's provision before any sign of rain. It symbolizes the need for human cooperation with divine intervention. This act of preparation can be seen as a type of faith, similar to the faith required in the New Testament, where believers are called to prepare their hearts for God's work. The ditches would later be filled miraculously, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness, akin to the miraculous provisions seen throughout Scripture, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the Gospels.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elisha
A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. He is known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom in this chapter.

2. Jehoram (Joram)
The king of Israel, son of Ahab, who sought Elisha's counsel during a military campaign against Moab.

3. Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God, who allied with Jehoram against Moab.

4. The King of Edom
An unnamed ally in the coalition against Moab, joining forces with Israel and Judah.

5. Moab
A nation that rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab, prompting the military campaign described in this chapter.
Teaching Points
Obedience Precedes Provision
God's command to dig ditches required faith and obedience before the provision of water. Believers are called to trust and obey God's instructions, even when they don't fully understand His plan.

Faith in Action
The act of digging ditches symbolizes active faith. Christians are encouraged to prepare for God's blessings by taking steps of faith in anticipation of His provision.

God's Unconventional Methods
God's instructions often defy human logic. This passage reminds us that God's solutions may not align with our expectations, but they are always perfect.

Unity in Purpose
The alliance of Israel, Judah, and Edom highlights the importance of unity among God's people when facing common challenges. Believers are encouraged to work together in faith and purpose.

Dependence on God
The need for water in the desert underscores our dependence on God for sustenance and life. This passage calls us to rely on God for our needs, trusting in His timing and provision.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 3:16?

2. How does 2 Kings 3:16 demonstrate God's provision in difficult circumstances?

3. What does "make this valley full of ditches" teach about faith and obedience?

4. How can we apply the lesson of preparation from 2 Kings 3:16 today?

5. What other Bible stories illustrate God's miraculous provision through obedience?

6. How does trusting God's instructions in 2 Kings 3:16 strengthen our faith journey?

7. What does 2 Kings 3:16 reveal about God's methods in delivering His people?

8. How does 2 Kings 3:16 challenge our understanding of faith and obedience?

9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 3:16?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 3?

11. What is the significance of Kidron Valley?

12. How could water supernaturally appear in a desert valley without rain or wind (2 Kings 3:17)?

13. Is there any archaeological evidence to support this battle’s events and outcome (2 Kings 3)?

14. What is the significance of Jezreel in history?
What Does 2 Kings 3:16 Mean
and he said

• Elisha, God’s prophet, becomes the mouthpiece at the moment when three thirsty armies face disaster (2 Kings 3:9–12).

• The phrase reminds us that when God’s people seek direction, He speaks through chosen servants—think of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10 or Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:7.

• Scripture repeatedly shows that the solution to looming crisis starts with a word from the Lord (Psalm 107:20; Acts 8:35).


This is what the LORD says

• Elisha’s next words carry full divine authority; they are not suggestions or personal opinions (Jeremiah 1:7; Isaiah 55:11).

• The armies need more than logistics—they need revelation. When the Lord speaks, His promises stand even against impossible odds (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:17–18).

• By using this formula, the prophet declares that the outcome is already settled in heaven (Amos 3:7; Revelation 19:9).


Dig this valley full of ditches

• The command is practical yet puzzling: dig trenches in a parched valley before any sign of water appears (2 Kings 3:17).

• God often requires action that demonstrates faith before He sends the miracle—Noah built an ark before rain (Genesis 6:14), Israel stepped toward the Jordan before it parted (Joshua 3:13), servants filled jars before water became wine (John 2:7).

• The size of the trenches would determine how much water—and later victory—they could receive, echoing Luke 6:38: “With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

• Obedience here serves two purposes: it provides for the armies’ immediate need (water) and sets the stage for God to rout Moab (2 Kings 3:18–27).

• Spiritually, dry valleys in life call for active preparation grounded in trust. Digging ditches in faith lets God pour out supply we cannot manufacture ourselves (Psalm 84:6; Ephesians 3:20).


summary

2 Kings 3:16 shows that when God speaks, He pairs His promise with an action step. Elisha relays the Lord’s directive; the armies must dig trenches in a barren valley, trusting God to fill them. Their obedience precedes provision, illustrating that faith readies the ground for divine supply and victory.

(16) Make.--Right (infinitive, equivalent to an energetic imperative).

Valley.--Nahal, wady, torrent-bed, gully. According to Thenius, "the brook Zered" of Deuteronomy 2:13 is meant; the present Wady el-Ahsy, (or el-Hasa) which forms the natural southern boundary of Moab, and from which several gorges lead up into the Moabite highlands. (See Isaiah 15:7.)

Full of ditches.--Literally, pits, pits. (Comp. Genesis 14:10 : "Wells, wells of bitumen.") The pits were to gather the water, which otherwise would soon have run away in the bed of the torrent (Jeremiah 14:3-4). The style of the oracle is stamped with the liveliness and originality of historic truth.

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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and he said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This is what
כֹּ֖ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (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

‘Dig
עָשֹׂ֛ה (‘ā·śōh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this
הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

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

full of ditches.’
גֵּבִֽים׃ (gê·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1356: A log, well, cistern


Links
2 Kings 3:16 NIV
2 Kings 3:16 NLT
2 Kings 3:16 ESV
2 Kings 3:16 NASB
2 Kings 3:16 KJV

2 Kings 3:16 BibleApps.com
2 Kings 3:16 Biblia Paralela
2 Kings 3:16 Chinese Bible
2 Kings 3:16 French Bible
2 Kings 3:16 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Kings 3:16 He said Thus says Yahweh Make this (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 3:15
Top of Page
Top of Page