1 Kings 22:3
New International Version
The king of Israel had said to his officials, “Don’t you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?”

New Living Translation
During the visit, the king of Israel said to his officials, “Do you realize that the town of Ramoth-gilead belongs to us? And yet we’ve done nothing to recapture it from the king of Aram!”

English Standard Version
And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?”

Berean Standard Bible
who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”

King James Bible
And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

New King James Version
And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, but we hesitate to take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?”

New American Standard Bible
Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Are you aware that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, yet we are hesitant to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”

NASB 1995
Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we are still doing nothing to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”

NASB 1977
Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we are still doing nothing to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, but we are sitting still so as not to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”

Amplified Bible
Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, yet we are still doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”

Christian Standard Bible
The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don’t you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we’re doing nothing to take it from the king of Aram? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don’t you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”

American Standard Version
And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth-gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

Contemporary English Version
Ahab asked his officials, "Why haven't we tried to get Ramoth in Gilead back from the Syrians? It belongs to us."

English Revised Version
And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth-gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king of Israel asked his staff, "Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead belongs to us, and we are doing nothing to take it back from the king of Aram?"

Good News Translation
Ahab asked his officials, "Why is it that we have not done anything to get back Ramoth in Gilead from the king of Syria? It belongs to us!"

International Standard Version
The king of Israel asked his servants, "Were you aware that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, but we aren't doing anything to remove it from the control of the king of Aram?"

Majority Standard Bible
who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”

NET Bible
The king of Israel said to his servants, "Surely you recognize that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, though we are hesitant to reclaim it from the king of Syria."

New Heart English Bible
The king of Israel said to his servants, "You know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, and we are still, and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king of Israel said to his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

World English Bible
The king of Israel said to his servants, “You know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, and we do nothing, and don’t take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the king of Israel says to his servants, “Have you not known that Ramoth-Gilead [is] ours? And we are keeping silent from taking it out of the hand of the king of Aram!”

Young's Literal Translation
and the king of Israel saith unto his servants, 'Have ye not known that ours is Ramoth-Gilead? and we are keeping silent from taking it out of the hand of the king of Aram!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel will say to his servants, Ye knew that to us Ramoth-Gilead, and we being inactive taking it from the hand of the king of Aram.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
(And the king of Israel said to his servants: Know ye not that Ramoth Galaad is ours, and we neglect to take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?)

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Are you ignorant that Ramoth Gilead is ours, and that we have neglected to take it from the hand of the king of Syria?”

New American Bible
The king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours and we are doing nothing to take it from the king of Aram?”

New Revised Standard Version
The king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, yet we are doing nothing to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king of Israel said to his servants, Do you know that Ramath-gilead belongs to us, and how long shall we keep still and not take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Israel said to his Servants: “You know that Ramath Gelad is ours, and how long are we still, for we should take it from the hand of the King of Edom?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king of Israel said unto his servants: 'Know ye that Ramoth-gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Aram?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Israel said to his servants, Know ye that Remmath Galaad is ours, and we are slow to take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ahab and the False Prophets
2However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel, 3who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?” 4So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 18:3
Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people are your people; we will join you in the war.”

Joshua 13:24-25
This is what Moses had given to the clans of the tribe of Gad: / The territory of Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites as far as Aroer, near Rabbah;

Judges 11:12-28
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” / The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.” / Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites ...

2 Kings 8:28-29
Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. / So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.

2 Kings 9:14-15
Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, / but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”

Deuteronomy 2:24-25
“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. / This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”

Numbers 32:33-42
So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them. / And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, / Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, ...

2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 10:1-19
Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, / the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?” ...

1 Kings 20:1-34
Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. / Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, / saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’” ...

2 Kings 10:32-33
In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory / from the Jordan eastward through all the land of Gilead (the region of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh), and from Aroer by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan.

Isaiah 16:1-5
Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion. / Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon: / “Give us counsel; render a decision. Shelter us at noonday with shade as dark as night. Hide the refugees; do not betray the one who flees. ...

Jeremiah 48:1-47
Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you. / A voice cries out from Horonaim: ‘Devastation and great destruction!’ ...

Ezekiel 25:8-11
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Moab and Seir said, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,” / therefore I will indeed expose the flank of Moab beginning with its frontier cities—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim—the glory of the land. / I will give it along with the Ammonites as a possession to the people of the East, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. ...

Amos 1:13-15
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. / So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest. / Their king will go into exile—he and his princes together,” says the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king of Israel said to his servants, Know you that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

Ramoth

1 Kings 4:13
The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:

Deuteronomy 4:43
Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

Joshua 20:8
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

still [heb] silent from taking it

Judges 16:2
And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

2 Samuel 19:10
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

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Aram Belongs Gilead Hand Israel Keeping Officials Ours Quiet Ramoth Ramoth-Gilead Servants Silent Syria
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Aram Belongs Gilead Hand Israel Keeping Officials Ours Quiet Ramoth Ramoth-Gilead Servants Silent Syria
1 Kings 22
1. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, by Michaiah's word, is slain at Ramoth Gilead
37. The dogs lick up his blood, and Ahaziah succeeds him
41. Jehoshaphat's good reign
45. His acts
46. Jehoram succeeds him
51. Ahaziah's evil reign














And the king of Israel
This phrase refers to Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab's reign is marked by his marriage to Jezebel and the introduction of Baal worship, which led Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. Historically, Ahab was a powerful king, but his spiritual leadership was lacking. His political alliances and military campaigns were significant, yet his failure to follow God's commandments ultimately led to his downfall.

said to his servants
The term "servants" here can be understood as Ahab's officials or advisors. In the Hebrew context, these individuals were not merely household servants but were often key figures in the administration of the kingdom. This highlights the king's reliance on counsel and the importance of wise advisors, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature of the Bible.

Do you not know
This rhetorical question implies a sense of urgency and frustration. Ahab is expressing his awareness of a situation that he believes should be obvious to his advisors. It reflects a common biblical theme where leaders are called to be vigilant and proactive in their duties, especially in matters concerning the welfare of their people.

that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us
Ramoth-gilead was a strategically important city located east of the Jordan River. Historically, it was designated as a city of refuge and a Levitical city, underscoring its religious and cultural significance. Ahab's claim to the city is rooted in historical and territorial rights, reflecting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram (Syria) over border territories.

and yet we are doing nothing
This phrase indicates a state of inaction and complacency. In the biblical narrative, such inaction often leads to negative consequences. The call to action is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God's people are encouraged to act justly and courageously in the face of challenges.

to reclaim it
The concept of reclaiming or restoring what is rightfully theirs is central to the biblical narrative of redemption and restoration. In the Hebrew context, reclaiming land was not just a political act but also a fulfillment of God's promises to His people. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God restoring His people to their rightful inheritance.

from the hand of the king of Aram
The "king of Aram" refers to the ruler of the Aramean kingdom, a frequent adversary of Israel. The historical context of this conflict highlights the geopolitical tensions of the time. Aram, located in modern-day Syria, was a significant power, and its interactions with Israel are documented throughout the Old Testament. This phrase underscores the ongoing struggle between Israel and its neighbors, a struggle that often served as a backdrop for God's dealings with His people.

(3) Ramoth in Gilead.--The city is first mentioned (in Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; Joshua 21:38) as a city of refuge in the territory of Gad; then (in 1Kings 4:13) as the centre of one of the provinces of Solomon, including the towns of Jair, and the strong hill country of Argob. In the Syrian wars it appears as a frontier fortress, taken and retaken. It had fallen into the hands of the Syrians, and had not been restored according to promise. The defeat and death of Ahab were subsequently avenged by Jehoram, who took it, and held it against all the attacks of the enemy (2Kings 9:1-14).

Verse 3. - And the king of Israel said unto his servants [During the visit. It seems likely that Jehoshaphat went down to Samaria by Ahab's invitation, and that the latter then had this campaign in view. The chronicler says that Ahab "incited," or "stirred him up" (same word as in 1 Kings 21:25) to go with him to battle. Ahab was unable to contend single-handed, and without Divine assistance - which he could not now look for - against Syria; and saw no means of compelling the execution of the treaty which Ben-hadad had made with him (1 Kings 20:34), and which he appears to have shamelessly broken, except by the help of Jehoshaphat, whose military organizetion at this time must have been great, and, indeed, complete (2 Chronicles 17:10-19). It is in favour of this view that Ahab entertained him and his large retinue with such profuse hospitality. The chronicler, who dwells on the number of sheep and oxen slain for the feast, intimates that it was this generous reception "persuaded" Jehoshaphat to join in the war], Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead [Generally, as below (vers. 4, 6, etc.), "Ramoth-Gilead," i.e., of Gilead. See note on 1 Kings 4:13. This "great frontier fortress was, in the hands of Syria, even after many reverses, a constant menace against Israel" (Stanley)] is ours [i.e., it was one of the cities which Ben-hadad had promised to restore (1 Kings 20:34). This shows that, as we might expect from a man of Ben-hadad's overbearing yet pusillanimous character, he had not kept good faith. Though so long a time had elapsed, it was still in his hands], and we be still [חָשָׁה is onomatopoetic, like our "hush." Marg. rightly, silent from taking it. The word conveys very expressively that they had been afraid of making any movement to assert their rights, lest they should attract the attention and anger of their powerful and incensed neighbour], and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? [It is hardly likely that Ahab could have forgotten the warning of 1 Kings 20:42. It is probable that Ben-hadad's flagrant disregard of his treaty engagements determined him to run all risks, especially if he could secure the help of the then powerful king of Judah.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[who]
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his servants,
עֲבָדָ֔יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

“Do you not know
הַיְדַעְתֶּ֕ם (hay·ḏa‘·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Ramoth-gilead
רָמֹ֣ת (rā·mōṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7433: Ramoth-gilead -- a city East of the Jordan

is ours,
לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

but we
וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ (wa·’ă·naḥ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

have failed
מַחְשִׁ֔ים (maḥ·šîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2814: To be silent, inactive, or still

to take
מִקַּ֣חַת (miq·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

it
אֹתָ֔הּ (’ō·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from the hand
מִיַּ֖ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Aram?”
אֲרָֽם׃ (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria


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OT History: 1 Kings 22:3 The king of Israel said to his (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 22:2
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