2nd Kings Chapter 3 verse 8 Holy Bible
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.
read chapter 3 in ASV
And he said, Which way are we to go? And he said in answer, By the waste land of Edom.
read chapter 3 in BBE
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he said, By way of the wilderness of Edom.
read chapter 3 in DARBY
And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.
read chapter 3 in KJV
And he said, which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.
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He said, Which way shall we go up? He answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom.
read chapter 3 in WEB
And he saith, `Where `is' this -- the way we go up?' and he saith, `The way of the wilderness of Edom.'
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - And he said, Which way shall we go up? Jehoram asked Jehoshaphat's advice as to the plan of campaign. There 'were two ways in which Moab might be approached - the direct one across the Jordan and then southward through the country east of the Dead Sea to the Amen, which was the boundary between Moab and Israel; and a circuitous one through the desert west of the Red Sea, and across the Arabah south of it, then northwards through Northern Edom, to the brook Zered, or Wady-el- Ahsy, which was the boundary between Moab and Edom. If the former route were pursued, Moab would be entered on the north; if the latter, she would be attacked on the south. Jehoshaphat recommended the circuitous route. And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom; probably for two reasons: Edom, though under a native king, was a dependency of Judah (1 Kings 22:47), and on passing through the Edomite country, an Edomite contingent might be added to the invading force; Moab, moreover, was mere likely to be surprised by an attack on this quarter, which was unusual, and from which she would not anticipate danger.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) And he said--i.e., Jehoram said.Which way.--They might cross the Jordan, and attack the northern frontier of Moab, or they might round the southern end of the Dead Sea, and invade Moab from the side of Edom. The former was the shortest route for both kings. But Moab's strongest defences were on the north frontier, and the allies would be liable to attacks from the Syrians in Ramoth-gilead (2Kings 8:28). The longer and more difficult southern road may have been chosen partly on these grounds, and partly because Jehoshaphat wished to march as far as might be within his own territory, and to get a contingent from Edom, which was at this time subject to him (1Kings 22:48), and perhaps to hold it in check. Moreover, the Moabites were less likely to be on their guard on the southern border, which was more difficult of access.And he answered.--Said--i.e., Jehoshaphat.
