1 Kings 13:6
And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֨עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 29
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אִישׁ
And the man
H376
אִישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיְחַ֤ל
Intreat
H2470
וַיְחַ֤ל
Intreat
Strong's:
H2470
Word #:
7 of 29
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
נָ֞א
H4994
נָ֞א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
8 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֣י
now the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
now the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 29
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
and pray
H6419
וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
and pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
13 of 29
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
בַּֽעֲדִ֔י
H1157
בַּֽעֲדִ֔י
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
14 of 29
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
may be restored me again
H7725
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
may be restored me again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
15 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יַד
for me that my hand
H3027
יַד
for me that my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיְחַ֤ל
Intreat
H2470
וַיְחַ֤ל
Intreat
Strong's:
H2470
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
אִישׁ
And the man
H376
אִישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֣י
now the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
now the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
22 of 29
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
may be restored me again
H7725
וַתָּ֤שָׁב
may be restored me again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
24 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יַד
for me that my hand
H3027
יַד
for me that my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
25 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Acts 8:24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.Exodus 10:17Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.Exodus 8:8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.Exodus 9:28Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.Exodus 8:28And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.Numbers 21:7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of the man of god from judah, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.