And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.

2 KINGS 3:7KJV
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2 Kings 3:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 3:7 mean?

2 Kings 3:7 describes how the king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, to join him in fighting against Moab, who had rebelled. Jehoshaphat agreed, saying that he and his people and horses would stand together with Israel as one.

In this verse, the king of Israel (likely Jehoram) sends a message to Jehoshaphat, seeking military support after Moab's rebellion. Jehoshaphat responds with a strong pledge of unity, promising full cooperation. This exchange sets up a joint campaign and shows the alliance between the two kingdoms during a time of crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:7

  • "Rebelled" (פָּשַׁע, pāshaʿ): This word means to break away or revolt. Its use here emphasizes that Moab's actions were a serious act of defiance, not just a minor disagreement.
  • "People" (עָם, ʿam): Jehoshaphat uses this word to express solidarity, saying his people are as Israel's people. This highlights the depth of the alliance, not just between the kings but between their nations.
  • "Horses" (סוּס, sûs): Mentioning horses shows the military aspect of the alliance, as horses were valuable for war chariots and cavalry, underlining the seriousness of their commitment.

Why 2 Kings 3:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the alliance between Israel and Judah was not just political but involved real military cooperation, including resources and manpower.
  • The strong language of unity from Jehoshaphat helps explain why the two kingdoms acted together in the following events, shaping the outcome of the campaign against Moab.
  • Understanding the context of rebellion and alliance here sheds light on the broader narrative of conflict and cooperation among Israel, Judah, and their neighbors during this period.

Where else these words appear

“rebelled” Hebrew H6586 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
  • Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
  • Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?