2 Kings 3:8 web — He said, "Which way shall we go up?" He answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom."

World English Bible

"He said, "Which way shall we go up?" He answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom.""

— 2 Kings 3:8, World English Bible

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2 Kings 3:8 in Other Translations

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2 Kings 3 — Context

5

But it happened, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

6

King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time, and mustered all Israel.

7

He went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?" He said, "I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."

8

He said, "Which way shall we go up?" He answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom."

9

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey. There was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them.

10

The king of Israel said, "Alas! For Yahweh has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab."

11

But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn't there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?" One of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."

2 Kings 3:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Kings 3:8 say?
2 Kings 3:8 in the World English Bible reads: “He said, "Which way shall we go up?" He answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom."”
Where is 2 Kings 3:8 in the Bible?
2 Kings 3:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 3, verse 8.
Who wrote 2 Kings?
2 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 2 Kings about?
2 Kings carries the divided kingdom from Elijah and Elisha through the fall of both Israel and Judah. Despite the prophets' warnings, both kingdoms decline through idolatry — the north into Assyrian captivity, the south into Babylonian exile — fulfilling the covenant curses.
What are the major themes of 2 Kings?
2 Kings explores themes including Judgment, Exile, Prophets, Covenant Curses, Remnant. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Kings 3:8.
What translation should I read 2 Kings 3:8 in?
2 Kings 3:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Kings 3:8?
2 Kings 3:8 reads (WEB): “He said, "Which way shall we go up?" He answered, "The way of the wilderness of Edom."” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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