2 Kings 3:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Make {H6213} this valley {H5158} full of ditches {H1356}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and he said, "ADONAI says to dig until this valley is full of trenches.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 3:16 delivers a pivotal prophetic command from Elisha to the desperate allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, who faced imminent destruction from thirst in the wilderness. This verse encapsulates God's unconventional yet powerful methods of provision, demanding an active demonstration of faith and obedience from His people before the miraculous intervention unfolds. It sets the stage for a dramatic display of divine power, where human effort in preparation precedes supernatural supply.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical military campaign where the kings of Israel (Jehoram), Judah (Jehoshaphat), and Edom have united against Moab. Their strategic detour through the wilderness of Edom, however, leads to a severe water shortage, jeopardizing the entire expedition and the lives of their armies and livestock. King Jehoshaphat, known for his piety and reliance on God, wisely suggests seeking divine counsel from a prophet. They approach Elisha, who, despite initial reluctance due to King Jehoram's idolatry, agrees to inquire of the LORD for Jehoshaphat's sake. Elisha's command in [2 Kings 3:16](/2_kings/3-16 "2 Kings 3:16 - Elisha's Prophetic Command") is the direct divine instruction given, preceding the miraculous provision of water and subsequent victory detailed in [2 Kings 3:17-25](/2_kings/3-17 "2 Kings 3:17-25 - God's Miraculous Provision and Victory").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds in the 9th century BCE, a period marked by frequent conflicts between Israel and its neighbors, particularly Moab, which had rebelled against Israelite tribute. The journey through the wilderness of Edom highlights the harsh realities of ancient warfare and travel, where access to water was a matter of life and death. Wadis (dry riverbeds or valleys) like the one mentioned were common geographical features in the region, typically remaining dry for much of the year, only filling with water during rare, heavy rains. The practice of seeking a prophet for divine guidance in times of national crisis was a common cultural and religious norm in ancient Israel, underscoring the prophet's role as God's direct mouthpiece.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 3](/2_kings/3 "2 Kings 3 - God's Provision in Battle"), and specifically this verse, contributes to several overarching themes. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision**, showcasing God's ability to supply needs in seemingly impossible circumstances, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in the wilderness wanderings where God provided manna and water from a rock (e.g., [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail") and [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock")). The command to dig ditches emphasizes **Faith and Obedience**, requiring an active response from the kings and their armies before the miracle. This principle, that **faith often precedes sight**, is a cornerstone of biblical teaching (cf. [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential")). Furthermore, the seemingly illogical nature of the command underscores **God's Unconventional Methods**, demonstrating that His ways are often beyond human comprehension or expectation (cf. [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher")). Finally, the phrase "Thus saith the LORD" highlights **Prophetic Authority**, confirming Elisha's role as a true prophet delivering a direct, authoritative message from God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thus saith the LORD (Hebrew, _koh amar Yahweh_):** This is a quintessential prophetic formula, appearing hundreds of times throughout the Old Testament. It serves as an emphatic declaration that the words spoken are not the prophet's personal opinion or insight, but a direct, infallible utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion here immediately imbues Elisha's subsequent command with absolute divine authority and certainty, demanding unquestioning obedience from the recipients.
* **valley (Hebrew, _nachal_):** In the context of the Near East, a _nachal_ typically refers to a wadi, which is a dry riverbed or ravine. These geographical features are usually barren and arid, only becoming torrents during rare, intense flash floods. The specific mention of a "valley" emphasizes the extreme dryness and hopelessness of the situation, making the command to fill it with ditches even more counter-intuitive and miraculous. It highlights the vastness of the need and the magnitude of the impending divine intervention.
* **ditches (Hebrew, _shichin_):** This word refers to trenches, pits, or cisterns dug into the ground. The command to make the valley "full of ditches" implies a significant, collective effort to prepare numerous receptacles for water. The very act of digging these ditches in a parched wadi, without any visible sign of rain or water source, was a profound act of faith. It was a tangible, physical preparation for a supernatural supply, requiring human cooperation in anticipation of divine provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said":** This refers to Elisha, the prophet of God, who is acting as the divine messenger. His words are not his own, but those given to him by the LORD.
* **"Thus saith the LORD":** This is the crucial prophetic formula, signifying that the following command originates directly from God Himself. It establishes the absolute authority and divine origin of the instruction, removing any doubt about its validity or certainty.
* **"Make this valley full of ditches":** This is the specific, seemingly illogical, and yet divinely ordained command. It calls for a significant, collective effort from the allied armies to dig numerous trenches or pits in the dry wadi. This act of preparation, in the absence of any visible water source, required immense faith and obedience, serving as a prerequisite for the miraculous provision that God was about to unleash.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Prophecy** is central, as Elisha delivers a direct message from God, underscoring the divine origin and certainty of the command. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" is the hallmark of prophetic utterance. There is a profound sense of **Irony** in the command to dig ditches for water in a parched, dry valley. Human logic would dictate searching for water or praying for rain, not expending energy on seemingly futile preparation. This irony highlights God's unconventional methods and challenges human reliance on visible evidence. Furthermore, the act of digging the ditches serves as powerful **Symbolism**. The ditches represent an act of active faith and obedience, a preparation of the heart and environment to receive God's blessing. They symbolize human cooperation with divine power, demonstrating that while God performs the miracle, He often calls for human participation and trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command in 2 Kings 3:16 profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over creation and His unique methods of working in human history. It underscores that divine provision is often contingent upon human faith and obedience, even when the required actions seem illogical or counter-intuitive. God's power is not limited by natural circumstances, and He often chooses to work through means that defy human expectation, thereby magnifying His glory. This narrative serves as a timeless reminder that true faith is not passive belief but active, anticipatory obedience to God's revealed will, preparing for what only He can accomplish.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Horeb")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command to "Make this valley full of ditches" is a profound metaphor for our spiritual lives. Often, we find ourselves in "dry valleys"—situations of scarcity, hopelessness, or overwhelming need where human solutions seem absent. In such moments, God may not immediately provide the desired outcome but instead issue a seemingly illogical command that requires our active participation and trust. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive waiting and engage in "ditch-digging"—acts of faith, obedience, and preparation, even when the "water" (the solution, the blessing, the breakthrough) is not yet visible. It teaches us that our obedience, no matter how small or illogical it seems, positions us to receive God's supernatural provision. It cultivates a posture of active anticipation, reminding us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His timing and methods are perfect, even when they defy our understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dry valleys" are you currently facing in your life, where a solution seems impossible?**
* **What "ditches" might God be calling you to dig—what acts of faith, obedience, or preparation—even without a clear understanding of how He will provide?**
* **How does this story challenge your assumptions about how God works and the role of your active faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did God require them to dig ditches if He was going to provide water miraculously?**

Answer: God required the digging of ditches for several profound reasons. First, it was a test of faith and obedience. The kings and their armies had to act on God's word without any visible evidence of impending water, demonstrating their trust in His promise. Second, it was an act of preparation. While God provides miraculously, He often calls for human cooperation and readiness to receive His blessings. The ditches served as receptacles for the water, signifying that God's abundance requires a prepared space. Third, it underscored God's glory. By commanding an seemingly illogical act and then providing in an unexpected way (not rain, but a flash flood from unseen sources, [2 Kings 3:17](/2_kings/3-17 "2 Kings 3:17 - Water from Edom")), God ensured that the miracle was clearly attributed to Him, not to natural phenomena or human ingenuity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophetic command in [2 Kings 3:16](/2_kings/3-16 "2 Kings 3:16 - Elisha's Prophetic Command") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. Just as God provided miraculous water in a desolate valley, Jesus declares Himself to be the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"), offering spiritual sustenance to a humanity parched by sin and spiritual emptiness. The seemingly illogical command to dig ditches foreshadows the call to faith and repentance that precedes receiving Christ's salvation. We are called to "prepare the way of the Lord" in our hearts, to dig spiritual "ditches" of humility and confession, creating space for the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised would flow like "rivers of living water" from those who believe in Him ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). Furthermore, God's unconventional method of providing water in [2 Kings 3](/2_kings/3 "2 Kings 3 - God's Provision") points to the ultimate "foolishness" of God's plan of salvation through the cross, which to the world seems weak and illogical, yet is the very power and wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross") and [1 Corinthians 1:23-25](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23-25 - Christ Crucified")). Christ's obedience, even to death on a cross, is the ultimate act of "ditch-digging," preparing the way for the outpouring of God's grace and eternal life for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 4:3

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, [even] empty vessels; borrow not a few.

Numbers 2:16

All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben [were] an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

Numbers 2:18

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.