And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

2 KINGS 3:10KJV
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2 Kings 3:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:10 mean?

2 Kings 3:10 shows the king of Israel reacting with alarm and despair, believing that the LORD has brought together the three allied kings only to let them be defeated by Moab. The verse captures a moment of fear and blame, as the king assumes their difficult situation is God's doing.

The speaker is the king of Israel, likely Jehoram, addressing his allies—the kings of Judah and Edom—during a military campaign against Moab. They have run into trouble, lacking water for their armies and animals, and the king interprets this crisis as a sign that God intends for them to fall into Moab’s hands. This verse highlights the king’s anxiety and his tendency to see setbacks as divine judgment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:10

  • "Alas" (הָאָה, ha’ah): This word is an exclamation of distress or despair, showing the king’s emotional state. It is not just a casual complaint but a cry of real alarm.
  • "Deliver" (נָתַן, natan): This verb means "to give" or "to hand over." Here, it carries the sense that God is actively allowing or causing the kings to be handed over to their enemies.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, being delivered "into the hand" of someone means being given over to their power or control. It emphasizes the idea of defeat and vulnerability.

Why 2 Kings 3:10 matters

  • This verse reveals the king of Israel’s quickness to blame God for trouble, rather than seeking guidance or considering his own actions, which is a recurring theme in the stories of Israel’s kings.
  • The verse sets up the tension for the rest of the chapter, showing the desperation of the allied kings and paving the way for the prophet Elisha’s involvement.
  • Understanding the king’s reaction helps clarify the broader narrative: the alliance is fragile, and their faith is being tested by the crisis they face.

Where else these words appear

“Alas” Hebrew H162 · used in 15 verses

  • Joshua 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
  • 2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
  • Ezekiel 4:14 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.