And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.

2 KINGS 3:26KJV
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2 Kings 3:26 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:26 mean?

2 Kings 3:26 describes how the king of Moab, realizing he was losing a fierce battle, gathered seven hundred skilled sword-fighters and tried to break through the enemy lines to reach the king of Edom, but they failed. The verse shows a desperate attempt to escape defeat, but the effort was unsuccessful.

In the story, the king of Moab is trapped by a coalition of Israelite, Judahite, and Edomite forces. Seeing that the battle was overwhelming, he tries a last-ditch effort to break out by attacking the section of the enemy line held by Edom, perhaps thinking it was the weakest point. The verse highlights both the intensity of the conflict and the king’s desperation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:26

  • מֶלֶךְ (melekh, "king"): This word is used twice, emphasizing the direct confrontation between the king of Moab and the king of Edom, not just their armies.
  • מוֹאָב (Moav, "Moab"): Naming Moab specifically underlines that this is a national crisis, not just a personal one for the king.
  • חָזָק (chazaq, "sore" or "strong"): The word translated "too sore" often means "too strong" or "overpowering," stressing how hopeless the situation felt to the Moabite king.
  • בָּקַע (baqa, "break through"): This word carries the sense of splitting or forcing a way through, showing the violence and determination of the attempt.

Why 2 Kings 3:26 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the king of Moab was not simply surrendering but making a calculated, forceful attempt to escape or turn the tide, which failed.
  • It highlights the strategic choice to attack the king of Edom’s position, possibly seen as a weaker link in the alliance.
  • This moment sets up the dramatic and tragic events that follow in the next verse, helping readers understand the depth of Moab’s desperation.

Where else these words appear

“drew” Hebrew H8025 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
  • Judges 20:2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
  • 1 Samuel 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

“through” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

“Edom” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.