1 Kings 14:24

Authorized King James Version

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And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וְגַם H1571
וְגַם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
קָדֵ֖שׁ And there were also sodomites H6945
קָדֵ֖שׁ And there were also sodomites
Strong's: H6945
Word #: 2 of 14
a (quasi) sacred person, i.e., (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry
הָיָ֣ה H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָאָ֑רֶץ in the land H776
בָאָ֑רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
עָשׂ֗וּ and they did H6213
עָשׂ֗וּ and they did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 5 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּכֹל֙ H3605
כְּכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַתּֽוֹעֲבֹ֣ת according to all the abominations H8441
הַתּֽוֹעֲבֹ֣ת according to all the abominations
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם of the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם of the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 8 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר֙ H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹרִ֣ישׁ cast out H3423
הוֹרִ֣ישׁ cast out
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 10 of 14
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
יְהוָ֔ה which the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה which the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִפְּנֵ֖י before H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּנֵ֥י the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 13 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

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.

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

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