2 Kings 3:16

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Elisha speaks to the allied kings immediately after the Spirit comes upon him while a harpist plays (2 Kings 3:15).

The words — The Hebrew עָשֹׂ֛ה ('a.Soh) means "make" or "dig," and גֵּבִ֥ים (ge.Vim) translates to "ditches," forming the direct command to excavate the wadi.

The thread — The pattern of preparing physical vessels for supernatural provision recurs in 2 Kings 4:3, where Elisha orders the gathering of many empty jars.

Why it lands — The text first states the command to dig ditches, then the Spirit's promise of water without wind or rain (2 Kings 3:17), requiring practical obedience before the divine action unfolds.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֹּ֕אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said כֹּ֖הkohthus אָמַ֣ר'a.Marhe says יְהוָ֑הYah.wehYahweh עָשֹׂ֛ה'a.Sohmake הַנַּ֥חַלha./Na.chalthe/ wadi הַזֶּ֖הha./Zeh<the>/ this גֵּבִ֥ים׀ge.Vimditches גֵּבִֽים׃ge.Vimditches

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Numbers 2:16 The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second.
2 Kings 4:3 “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.