For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

2 KINGS 3:17KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 3:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:17 mean?

2 Kings 3:17 promises that God will provide water for the people and their animals in a miraculous way, even though there will be no visible signs like wind or rain. The verse assures the thirsty armies and their animals that the dry valley will be filled with enough water for all of them to drink.

In this scene, the prophet Elisha is speaking God’s message to the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom, who are facing a desperate lack of water while marching against Moab. The verse highlights that God’s help will come in an unexpected way, without the usual signs people might look for, showing God’s power to provide beyond natural means.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:17

  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the promise comes directly from Him, not from any human source.
  • “see” (רָאָה, ra’ah): Used twice, this word stresses that the people will not witness the usual signs (wind or rain) that would normally bring water, underlining the surprising nature of the miracle.
  • “wind” (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean wind, spirit, or breath. Here, it points to the absence of any natural weather event that would explain the coming water.
  • “valley” (נַחַל, nachal): This refers to a wadi or dry stream bed, which would only fill with water after rain. The promise is that even this dry place will be filled.
  • “filled” (מָלֵא, male’): This word means to be full or filled up, stressing the completeness of God’s provision—not just a little water, but enough to satisfy everyone and all the animals.

Why 2 Kings 3:17 matters

  • 2 Kings 3:17 clears up the idea that God’s help always comes through ordinary or expected means; here, God acts without any visible sign, challenging assumptions about how divine provision works.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing that God responds to faith and need, even when the situation seems hopeless by human standards.
  • It emphasizes God’s care for both people and animals, showing a concern for the whole community affected by the crisis.

Where else these words appear

“rain” Hebrew H1653 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
  • Job 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
  • Jeremiah 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

“cattle” Hebrew H4735 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
  • Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
  • Judges 6:5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

“valley” Hebrew H5158 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Judges 4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.