2 Kings 3:21
New International Version
Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border.

New Living Translation
Meanwhile, when the people of Moab heard about the three armies marching against them, they mobilized every man who was old enough to strap on a sword, and they stationed themselves along their border.

English Standard Version
When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, from the youngest to the oldest, were called out and were drawn up at the border.

Berean Standard Bible
Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border.

King James Bible
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.

New King James Version
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border.

New American Standard Bible
Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and they took their positions on the border.

NASB 1995
Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border.

NASB 1977
Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned, and stood on the border.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And they summoned all who were able to put on armor and older, and they stood on the border.

Amplified Bible
Now all the Moabites heard that the [three] kings had come up to fight against them, and all who were able to put on armor, as well as those who were older, were summoned and stood [together in battle formation] at the border.

Christian Standard Bible
All Moab had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, from the youngest to the oldest, were summoned and took their stand at the border.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All Moab had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, from the youngest to the oldest, were summoned and took their stand at the border.

American Standard Version
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border.

Contemporary English Version
Meanwhile, the people of Moab had heard that the three kings were coming to attack them. They had called together all of their fighting men, from the youngest to the oldest, and these troops were now standing at their border, ready for battle.

English Revised Version
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood on the border.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the people of Moab heard that the kings had come to fight them. So all men old enough to bear arms were called to fight. They stood at the border.

Good News Translation
When the Moabites heard that the three kings had come to attack them, all the men who could bear arms, from the oldest to the youngest, were called out and stationed at the border.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to attack them, so everyone old enough to wear battle armor was mustered to stand guard at the border.

Majority Standard Bible
Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border.

NET Bible
Now all Moab had heard that the kings were attacking, so everyone old enough to fight was mustered and placed at the border.

New Heart English Bible
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood on the border.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood in the border.

World English Bible
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were able to put on armor, young and old, and stood on the border.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all of Moab has heard that the kings have come up to fight against them, and they are called together, from everyone girding on a girdle and upward, and they stand by the border.

Young's Literal Translation
and all Moab have heard that the kings have come up to fight against them, and they are called together, from every one girding on a girdle and upward, and they stand by the border.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all Moab heard that the kings came up to war against them, and they will be gathered together from all girding on a girdle, and above, and they will stand upon the bound.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the Moabites hearing that the kings were come up to fight against them, gathered together all that were girded with a belt upon them, and stood in the borders.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then all the Moabites, hearing that the kings had ascended so that they might fight against them, gathered all who had been girded with a belt around them, and they stood at the borders.

New American Bible
Meanwhile, all Moab had heard that the kings had come to war against them; troops from the youngest on up were mobilized and stationed at the border.

New Revised Standard Version
When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to put on armor, from the youngest to the oldest, were called out and were drawn up at the frontier.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when all the Moabites saw that the kings were come up to fight against them, they called out all that were able to gird themselves with the sword and stood on the border.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the Moabites heard that the Kings came up to fight with them, and all who were girt with a sword and beyond announced themselves and they stood on the border.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood on the border.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all Moab heard that the three kings were come up to fight against them; and they cried out on every side, even all that were girt with a girdle, and they said, Ho! and stood upon the border.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joram Overcomes Moab's Rebellion
20The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. 21Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. 22When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:24-25
At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Judges 7:22
And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

1 Samuel 14:20
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Isaiah 19:2
“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

Ezekiel 38:21
And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother.

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:10
Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Acts 2:6
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.

Acts 19:32
Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

Revelation 6:4
Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword.

Revelation 16:14
These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

2 Kings 6:18-20
As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. / And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. / When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.


Treasury of Scripture

And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armor, and upward, and stood in the border.

gathered [heb] were cried together

1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Jump to Previous
Able Armor Armour Arms Bear Border Country Drawn Edge Fight Forward Frontier Gathered Heard Hearing Kings Moab Moabites Older Oldest Stationed Stood Summoned Themselves Together Upward War Young Youngest
Jump to Next
Able Armor Armour Arms Bear Border Country Drawn Edge Fight Forward Frontier Gathered Heard Hearing Kings Moab Moabites Older Oldest Stationed Stood Summoned Themselves Together Upward War Young Youngest
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














Now all Moab had heard
The phrase indicates a widespread dissemination of information among the Moabites. In the ancient Near East, news often traveled through messengers or traders. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and responding. This suggests that the Moabites were not only aware of the impending threat but were also preparing to act upon this intelligence. Historically, Moab was a nation east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. The Moabites' awareness of the approaching coalition of kings underscores the tension and fear that must have gripped the region.

that the kings had come up to fight against them
This phrase highlights the coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab. The term "kings" refers to the leaders of these three nations. The Hebrew word for "come up" is "עָלָה" (alah), often used in military contexts to describe an ascent or approach for battle. This coalition was a significant threat, as it combined the military might of three nations. The historical context reveals that such alliances were common in the ancient world, often formed to counter a mutual threat. The Moabites, aware of this formidable alliance, would have been understandably alarmed.

So they gathered together, all who could bear arms
The gathering of "all who could bear arms" indicates a full mobilization of Moab's military resources. The Hebrew root for "gathered" is "קָבַץ" (qavats), meaning to assemble or collect. This suggests an urgent and comprehensive call to arms, involving every able-bodied man. In ancient warfare, such mobilization was crucial for defense, especially when facing a coalition of enemy forces. The phrase reflects the Moabites' determination to defend their land, despite the overwhelming odds.

and stood at the border
The phrase "stood at the border" signifies a defensive posture. The Hebrew word for "stood" is "עָמַד" (amad), which can imply taking a stand or holding one's ground. The border represents the frontline of defense, the point at which the Moabites intended to confront the invading forces. This strategic positioning indicates their readiness to protect their territory. In the broader biblical narrative, borders often symbolize the limits of a nation's influence and the point of contact with potential threats. The Moabites' stance at the border reflects their resolve to defend their sovereignty against the encroaching coalition.

(21) And when . . . heard . . . they gathered.--Now all the Moabites had heard . . . and had gathered themselves: literally, had been summoned, called together (Judges 7:23).

All that were able to put on armour.--From every one girding on a girdle, and upwards--i.e., all of adult age, all who could bear arms. It was a levy en masse of the male population for the defence of the country.

Stood in.--Had taken their stand on the frontier.

Verse 21. - And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them. The Hebrew has no pluperfect tense; but the verbs have here a pluperfect force. Translate, When all the Moabites had heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they had gathered all that were able, etc. The muster of the troops had long preceded the storm. They gathered all that were able to put on amour; literally, there had been gathered together all that girded themselves with girdles; i.e. all the male population of full age. And upward - i.e., and all above the age when the girdle was first assumed - and stood in the border; took up a position near the extreme border of their territory, on the northern bank of the Wady-el-Ahsy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Moabites
מוֹאָב֙ (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

had heard
שָֽׁמְע֔וּ (šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

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

the kings
הַמְּלָכִ֖ים (ham·mə·lā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

had come up
עָל֥וּ (‘ā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to fight against them.
לְהִלָּ֣חֶם (lə·hil·lā·ḥem)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

So all
מִכֹּ֨ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who could bear arms,
חֹגֵ֤ר (ḥō·ḡêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself

[young] and old,
וָמַ֔עְלָה (wā·ma‘·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

were summoned
וַיִּצָּעֲק֗וּ (way·yiṣ·ṣā·‘ă·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim

and stationed
וַיַּעַמְד֖וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

at
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the border.
הַגְּבֽוּל׃ (hag·gə·ḇūl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed


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OT History: 2 Kings 3:21 Now when all the Moabites heard that (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 3:20
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