2 Kings 3:8

And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

And he said {H559}, Which way {H1870} shall we go up {H5927}? And he answered {H559}, The way {H1870} through the wilderness {H4057} of Edom {H123}.

Which route should we take?" he added. "The road through the desert of Edom," answered Y'horam.

Then he asked, โ€œWhich way shall we go up?โ€ โ€œBy way of the Desert of Edom,โ€ replied Joram.

And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.

Commentary

2 Kings 3:8 records a pivotal moment in the campaign of the allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab, where they seek divine direction through the prophet Elisha.

Context

This verse is set during the joint military expedition of King Jehoram of Israel, King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the king of Edom against Mesha, the rebellious king of Moab. After marching for seven days through a desolate region, their armies and livestock faced a severe water shortage, threatening the entire campaign. In their desperation, King Jehoshaphat, known for his piety, insisted on consulting a prophet of the Lord (2 Kings 3:11). Elisha, the prophet, was brought before them. King Jehoram, perhaps seeking the most advantageous military route or simply a way out of their dire predicament, asks Elisha for strategic guidance: "Which way shall we go up?" Elisha's concise reply, "The way through the wilderness of Edom," confirms their current, challenging route as the divinely appointed one, despite its hardships.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance in Strategy: The verse highlights the importance of seeking God's counsel even in military and strategic matters. Elisha's answer is not a tactical suggestion but a confirmation of the path God intended, emphasizing that human plans are subject to divine oversight.
  • God's Unconventional Paths: The "wilderness of Edom" was a notoriously arid and difficult terrain. God often leads His people through challenging "wilderness" experiences to test their faith, humble them, and ultimately demonstrate His power. This path, though arduous, was part of God's plan to deliver them from Moab.
  • Faith Amidst Adversity: The kings had to trust Elisha's word, which represented God's instruction, even when their immediate circumstances (lack of water) seemed to contradict the wisdom of continuing on that path. Their obedience, despite the apparent difficulty, was crucial for the miraculous intervention that followed (2 Kings 3:17).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "go up" in Hebrew is โ€˜alah (ืขึธืœึธื”), which literally means to ascend, but in military contexts, it often signifies to advance or to attack. Here, it carries the dual meaning of physically ascending the terrain towards Moab and advancing their military campaign. The "wilderness of Edom" (ืžึดื“ึฐื‘ึผึทืจ ืึฑื“ื•ึนื, midbar โ€˜edom) specifically points to a desolate, uncultivated region, underscoring the harsh conditions the armies were enduring.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable lessons for believers today. When facing difficult decisions or "wilderness" seasons in life, it is crucial to seek God's guidance through prayer, His Word, and godly counsel. God's paths are not always the easiest or most logical from a human perspective, but they are always purposeful. We are called to trust His direction, even when it leads us through challenging circumstances, knowing that His ultimate plan is for our good and His glory. Just as the kings had to press on through the wilderness, we too must exercise faith and obedience when God directs us down an unexpected or arduous path, believing He will provide and prevail.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 1:2

    I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

  • Malachi 1:3

    And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

  • Numbers 21:4

    ยถ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
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