And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

2 KINGS 3:4KJV
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2 Kings 3:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:4 mean?

2 Kings 3:4 describes how Mesha, the king of Moab, was known for raising sheep and had to pay a large tribute to the king of Israel: one hundred thousand lambs and one hundred thousand rams, along with their wool. This verse shows the economic relationship between Moab and Israel at that time, with Moab acting as a vassal state.

The verse is part of a historical account where the writer explains why there was conflict between Israel and Moab. Mesha (king of Moab) is introduced as a significant sheep breeder, and his tribute payment highlights both his wealth and Moab’s subordination to Israel. This sets the stage for the events that follow, where Mesha rebels against Israel after King Ahab’s death.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:4

  • מֵישַׁע (Mesha, mēysha‘): This is the name of the Moabite king, who is also known from the Moabite Stone, an archaeological find that confirms details from this period.
  • נֹקֵד (sheepmaster, noqed): This word means a sheep breeder or owner of large flocks, emphasizing Mesha’s wealth and the economic basis of Moab’s tribute.
  • כֶּבֶשׂ (lambs, keves): The tribute included a massive number of lambs, showing the scale of Moab’s obligation.
  • אַיִל (rams, ayil) and צָמֶר (wool, tsamer): The tribute was not just in animals but also in valuable wool, underlining the economic importance of sheep and wool in this relationship.

Why 2 Kings 3:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moab’s tribute was not just a token payment but a huge economic burden, which helps explain why Mesha would later rebel.
  • The detail about Mesha being a “sheepmaster” highlights the agricultural wealth of Moab and why Israel valued its control over Moab.
  • Understanding this tribute helps make sense of the political tensions in the following verses, where the loss of this income motivates Israel’s military response.

Where else these words appear

“sheepmaster” Hebrew H5349 · used in 2 verses

  • Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

“lambs” Hebrew H3733 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
  • Psalms 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
  • Ezekiel 4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.

“wool” Hebrew H6785 · used in 16 verses

  • Leviticus 13:47 The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;
  • Judges 6:37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
  • Ezekiel 27:18 Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.