1 Kings 14:15
For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִכָּ֨ה
shall smite
H5221
וְהִכָּ֨ה
shall smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 29
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
יְהוָֽה׃
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָנ֣וּד
is shaken
H5110
יָנ֣וּד
is shaken
Strong's:
H5110
Word #:
6 of 29
to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea
הַקָּנֶה֮
as a reed
H7070
הַקָּנֶה֮
as a reed
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
7 of 29
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
בַּמַּיִם֒
in the water
H4325
בַּמַּיִם֒
in the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
8 of 29
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵ֠עַל
H5921
מֵ֠עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַטּוֹבָ֤ה
out of this good
H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֤ה
out of this good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
14 of 29
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַן֙
which he gave
H5414
נָתַן֙
which he gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 29
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַאֲב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם
to their fathers
H1
לַאֲב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם
to their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
18 of 29
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְזֵרָ֖ם
and shall scatter
H2219
וְזֵרָ֖ם
and shall scatter
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
19 of 29
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
them beyond
H5676
מֵעֵ֣בֶר
them beyond
Strong's:
H5676
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
לַנָּהָ֑ר
the river
H5104
לַנָּהָ֑ר
the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
21 of 29
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
יַ֗עַן
H3282
יַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשׂוּ֙
because they have made
H6213
עָשׂוּ֙
because they have made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
24 of 29
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֵׁ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם
their groves
H842
אֲשֵׁ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם
their groves
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
26 of 29
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
מַכְעִיסִ֖ים
to anger
H3707
מַכְעִיסִ֖ים
to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
27 of 29
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
Cross References
Psalms 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.2 Kings 15:29In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.Proverbs 2:22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
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
For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, 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.