Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 14th, 2025
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

Douay-Rheims Bible

2 Kings 3:11

And Josaphat said: Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may beseech the Lord by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered: Here is Eliseus, the son of Saphat, who poured water on the hands of Elias.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Armies;   Elisha;   Moabites;   Prophets;   Shaphat;   Thompson Chain Reference - Enquiring of God;   Holy Spirit;   Inquiring of God;   Inspiration;   Jehoshaphat;   Prophecy;   Prophets;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Diet of the Jews, the;   Hands, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Eating, Mode of;   Mesha;   Minister;   Washing;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Elisha;   Moab;   War;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Elijah;   Prophet, Prophetess, Prophecy;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Elisha;   Hand;   Jehoram;   Jehoshaphat;   Moabite Stone;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Banquets;   Dibon;   Elijah;   Judah, Kingdom of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Inquire of God;   King, Kingship;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Kir-Hareseth;   Mesha;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Edom, Edomites;   Elisha;   Hand;   Jehoshaphat;   Medeba;   Mesha;   Shaphat;   Water;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Bason;   Purification (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Joram, Jehoram;   Mesha ;   Moab, Moabites ;   Shaphat ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Kirharaseth;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Armor;   Arms;   Elisha;   Jehoshaphat;   Mesha;   Moab;   Samaria;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Eli'sha;   Sha'phat;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Hand;   Minister;   Urim and Thummim;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Army;   Basin;   Elijah;   Elisha;   Jehoram;   Shaphat;   War;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Banquets;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Elisha;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here? Let’s inquire of the Lord through him.”
Hebrew Names Version
But Yehoshafat said, Isn't there here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? One of the king of Yisra'el's servants answered, Elisha the son of Shafat is here, who poured water on the hands of Eliyah.
King James Version
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord , that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
English Standard Version
And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord ?" Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
New Century Version
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there a prophet of the Lord here? We can ask the Lord through him." An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah's servant."
New English Translation
Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here that we might seek the Lord 's direction?" One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shapat is here; he used to be Elijah's servant."
Amplified Bible
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here from whom we may inquire of the LORD?" One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water over Elijah's hands."
New American Standard Bible
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
Geneva Bible (1587)
But Iehoshaphat saide, Is there not here a Prophet of the Lorde, that we may inquire of the Lorde by him? And one of the King of Israels seruants answered, and said, Here is Elisha the sonne of Shaphat, which powred water on the handes of Eliiah.
Legacy Standard Bible
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
Contemporary English Version
Jehoshaphat said, "Which of the Lord 's prophets is with us? We can find out from him what the Lord wants us to do." One of Joram's officers answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was one of Elijah's closest followers."
Complete Jewish Bible
But Y'hoshafat said, "Isn't there a prophet of Adonai here through whom we can consult Adonai ?" One of the servants of the king of Isra'el answered, "Elisha the son of Shafat is here, the one who used to pour water on Eliyahu's hands."
Darby Translation
And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Easy-to-Read Version
But Jehoshaphat said, "Surely one of the Lord 's prophets is here. Let's ask the prophet what the Lord says we should do." One of the servants of the king of Israel said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. Elisha was Elijah's servant."
George Lamsa Translation
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israels servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.
Good News Translation
King Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there a prophet here through whom we can consult the Lord ?" An officer of King Joram's forces answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah's assistant."
Lexham English Bible
Then Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of Yahweh here that we might inquire guidance from Yahweh?" One of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, Here is Elisha the sonof Shaphat, who poured water on the hands ofElijah.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But Iosaphat sayde: Is here no prophet of ye LORDE, yt we maye axe coucell at ye LORDE by him? Then answered one of ye kynge of Israels seruauntes, & saide: Here is Eliseus ye sonne of Saphat, which poured water vpon Elias handes.
American Standard Version
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Bible in Basic English
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may get directions from the Lord? And one of the king of Israel's men said in answer, Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here, who was servant to Elijah.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Iehosaphat said: Is there not here a prophete of the Lorde, that we maye enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israels seruauntes aunswered and saide: Here is Elisa the sonne of Saphat, which powred water on the handes of Elias.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But Jehoshaphat said: 'Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said: 'Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.'
King James Version (1611)
But Iehoshaphat said, Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israels seruants answered, and said, Here is Elisha the sonne of Shaphat, which powred water on the hands of Eliiah.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Josaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, There is here Elisaie son of Saphat, who poured water on the hands of Eliu.
English Revised Version
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Berean Standard Bible
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him." And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Josephat seide, Whether ony prophete of the Lord is here, that we biseche the Lord bi hym? And oon of the seruauntis of the kyng of Israel answeride, Elisee, the sone of Saphat, is here, that schedde watir on the hondis of Elie.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat saith, `Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, and we seek Jehovah by him?' And one of the servants of the king of Israel answereth and saith, `Here [is] Elisha son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.'
Update Bible Version
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him? And one of the king of Israel's slaves answered and said, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Webster's Bible Translation
But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
World English Bible
But Jehoshaphat said, Isn't there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him? One of the king of Israel's servants answered, Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
New King James Version
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
New Living Translation
But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, "Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him." One of King Joram's officers replied, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah's personal assistant."
New Life Bible
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not a man who speaks for God here? Is there no one we can ask to learn what the Lord would have us do?" One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here. He poured water on the hands of Elijah."
New Revised Standard
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord ?" Then one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah, is here."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So Jehoshaphat said - Is there not, here, a prophet of Yahweh, that we may enquire of Yahweh, from him? Then answered one of the servants of the king of Israel, and said, Here, is Elisha son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.
Revised Standard Version
And Jehosh'aphat said, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?" Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Eli'sha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Eli'jah."
THE MESSAGE
But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn't there a prophet of God anywhere around through whom we can consult God ?" One of the servants of the king of Israel said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is around somewhere—the one who was Elijah's right-hand man."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?" And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."

Contextual Overview

6 And king Joram went out that day from Samaria, and mustered all Israel. 7 And he sent to Josaphat; king of Juda, saying: The king of Moab is revolted from me: come with me against him to battle. And he answered: I will come up: he that is mine, is thine: my people are thy people: and my horses, thy horses. 8 And he said: Which way shall we go up? But he answered: By the desert of Edom. 9 So the king of Israel, and the king of Juda, and the king of Edom, went, and they fetched a compass of seven days journey, and there was no water for the army, and for the beasts, that followed them. 10 And the king of Israel said: Alas, alas, alas, the Lord hath gathered us three kings together, to deliver us into the hands of Moab. 11 And Josaphat said: Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may beseech the Lord by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered: Here is Eliseus, the son of Saphat, who poured water on the hands of Elias. 12 And Josaphat said: The word of the Lord is with him. And the king of Israel, and Josaphat, king of Juda, and the king of Edom, went down to him. 13 And Eliseus said to the king of Israel: What have I to do with thee? go to the prophets of thy father, and thy mother. And the king of Israel said to him: Why hath the Lord gathered together these three kings, to deliver them into the hands of Moab? 14 And Eliseus said to him: As the Lord of hosts liveth, in whose sight I stand, if I did not reverence the face of Josaphat, king of Juda, I would not have hearkened to thee, nor looked on thee. 15 But now bring me hither a minstrel. And when the minstrel played, the hand of the Lord came upon him, and he said:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Is there not here: 1 Kings 22:7, Psalms 74:9, Amos 3:7

that we may: 2 Kings 3:1, 2 Kings 3:3, Joshua 9:14, Judges 20:8-11, Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:26-28, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:14, 1 Chronicles 15:13

poured water: That is, was his constant and confidential servant. Mr. Hanway, speaking of a Persian supper, says, "Supper being now brought in, a servant presented a basin of water, and a napkin hung over his shoulders; he went to every one in the company, and poured water on their hands to wash." Genesis 18:4, Joshua 1:1, 1 Kings 19:21, Luke 22:26, Luke 22:27, John 13:4, John 13:5, John 13:13, John 13:14, 1 Timothy 5:10, Philippians 2:22

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 4:12 - servant 2 Kings 6:15 - servant 2 Kings 8:8 - inquire 2 Kings 22:13 - inquire 2 Chronicles 18:6 - Is there not Proverbs 27:18 - so Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire Jeremiah 37:17 - Is there Acts 13:5 - their

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me from the earth.
Psalms 50:21
(49-21) These things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.
Romans 3:20
Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Jehoshaphat said, is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?.... This the good king should have done before be set out, but had neglected it; however, it was not too late:

and one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said; who might be one that feared the Lord, and was intimate with Elisha, or however had knowledge of him, as appears by what follows:

here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah; or ministered to him, as the Targum; was his menial servant, waited on him, and assisted him when he washed his hands g; some Jewish writers understand it of his pouring water on the hand of Elijah at Carmel, when the altar and trench were filled with it, and when a miracle was wrought, as they fancy, and the fingers of Elijah became as fountains of water.

g See the like phrase of the business of a servant in Homer, Iliad. 3. ver. 270, & Iliad. 9. ver. 174. Odyss. 1. ver. 147. & Odyss. 3. ver. 388. & Odyss. 4. ver. 258, 261. & passim.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A prophet of the Lord - i. e. of Yahweh. It was necessary to inquire thus definitely, as there were still plenty of prophets who were only prophets of Baal 2 Kings 3:13.

Here is Elisha - Jehoram appears to have been ignorant of his presence with the host, and one of his “servants,” or officers, answered Jehoshaphat’s inquiry.

Which poured water - An act signifying ministration or attendance (compare John 13:5 ff).

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 3:11. Is there not here a prophet of the Lord — The kings of Judah still acknowledged the true God, and him only.

Poured water on the hands of Elijah — That is, was his constant and confidential servant.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile