2 kings 3:8 - He said, “Which way shall we go up?” He answered, “The way of the wilderness of Edom.”
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What does "2 kings 3:8" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 3:8 is part of a larger story about a coalition of kings preparing for war. Let's break it down:
The context: The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom have allied themselves to suppress a rebellion by Moab. They're facing a logistical problem: how to get their armies to Moab.
"He said, “Which way shall we go up?”": "He" likely refers to Jehoram, the king of Israel. He's asking the assembled kings for their opinion on the best route to take. They need a path that can accommodate their armies and supplies.
"He answered, “The way of the wilderness of Edom.”": "He" here is most likely King Jehoshaphat of Judah. He suggests a route through the wilderness of Edom.
Meaning and Implications:
Jehoshaphat's Suggestion: The "wilderness of Edom" was likely the preferred route for a few potential reasons:
Edom's Alliance: Edom was a vassal state of Judah at this time. Going through Edom meant they could resupply there, ensuring their army had provisions and water.
Terrain: While a "wilderness," it might have still been a more manageable route than other options. It could have avoided difficult terrain or heavily fortified Moabite cities.
Important Note: The choice of this route, while seemingly practical, leads to a critical problem later in the chapter. They run out of water in the wilderness. This leads them to seek the prophet Elisha, who prophesies about divine intervention to provide water and ensure their victory (though at a grim cost in his view).
Strategic Considerations: Choosing a route through Edom may have also been a strategic move to appear strong and determined to the Moabites. A large, united force traversing their neighbor's land would send a message.
In summary, the verse describes a crucial decision in planning a military campaign. Jehoshaphat suggests a route through the wilderness of Edom, likely due to Edom's alliance and the logistical advantages it presented. However, this choice ultimately leads to a crisis of water supply and necessitates divine intervention.
2 kings 3:8 - He said, “Which way shall we go up?” He answered, “The way of the wilderness of Edom.”
What does "2 kings 3:8" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 3:8 is part of a larger story about a coalition of kings preparing for war. Let's break it down:
The context: The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom have allied themselves to suppress a rebellion by Moab. They're facing a logistical problem: how to get their armies to Moab.
"He said, “Which way shall we go up?”": "He" likely refers to Jehoram, the king of Israel. He's asking the assembled kings for their opinion on the best route to take. They need a path that can accommodate their armies and supplies.
"He answered, “The way of the wilderness of Edom.”": "He" here is most likely King Jehoshaphat of Judah. He suggests a route through the wilderness of Edom.
Meaning and Implications:
Jehoshaphat's Suggestion: The "wilderness of Edom" was likely the preferred route for a few potential reasons:
Edom's Alliance: Edom was a vassal state of Judah at this time. Going through Edom meant they could resupply there, ensuring their army had provisions and water.
Terrain: While a "wilderness," it might have still been a more manageable route than other options. It could have avoided difficult terrain or heavily fortified Moabite cities.
Important Note: The choice of this route, while seemingly practical, leads to a critical problem later in the chapter. They run out of water in the wilderness. This leads them to seek the prophet Elisha, who prophesies about divine intervention to provide water and ensure their victory (though at a grim cost in his view).
Strategic Considerations: Choosing a route through Edom may have also been a strategic move to appear strong and determined to the Moabites. A large, united force traversing their neighbor's land would send a message.
In summary, the verse describes a crucial decision in planning a military campaign. Jehoshaphat suggests a route through the wilderness of Edom, likely due to Edom's alliance and the logistical advantages it presented. However, this choice ultimately leads to a crisis of water supply and necessitates divine intervention.