1 Kings 14:9
But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּ֣רַע
evil
H7489
וַתָּ֣רַע
evil
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וַתַּֽעֲשֶׂה
But hast done
H6213
וַתַּֽעֲשֶׂה
But hast done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִכֹּ֖ל
H3605
מִכֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
above all that were before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
above all that were before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַתֵּ֡לֶךְ
H1980
וַתֵּ֡לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַתַּֽעֲשֶׂה
But hast done
H6213
וַתַּֽעֲשֶׂה
But hast done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִ֨ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֨ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 17
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
וּמַסֵּכוֹת֙
and molten images
H4541
וּמַסֵּכוֹת֙
and molten images
Strong's:
H4541
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour
לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי
to provoke me to anger
H3707
לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי
to provoke me to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
13 of 17
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
וְאֹתִ֥י
H853
וְאֹתִ֥י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הִשְׁלַ֖כְתָּ
and hast cast
H7993
הִשְׁלַ֖כְתָּ
and hast cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
15 of 17
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 50:17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.Nehemiah 9:26Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.Ezekiel 23:35Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.1 Kings 12:28Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.2 Chronicles 11:15And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.Exodus 34:17Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.Psalms 106:29Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.Psalms 78:40How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!1 Corinthians 10:22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?Ezekiel 8:3And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
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
But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
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.