1 Kings 19:10
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Original Language Analysis
קִנֵּ֜אתִי
I have been very
H7065
קִנֵּ֜אתִי
I have been very
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
2 of 25
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
קִנֵּ֜אתִי
I have been very
H7065
קִנֵּ֜אתִי
I have been very
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
3 of 25
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
לַֽיהוָ֣ה׀
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה׀
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 25
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
צְבָא֗וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֗וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 25
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙
thy covenant
H1285
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙
thy covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
9 of 25
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
בְּנֵ֣י
for the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
for the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶחָ֑רֶב
with the sword
H2719
בֶחָ֑רֶב
with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
18 of 25
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וָֽאִוָּתֵ֤ר
and I even I only am left
H3498
וָֽאִוָּתֵ֤ר
and I even I only am left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
19 of 25
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
לְבַדִּ֔י
H905
לְבַדִּ֔י
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ
and they seek
H1245
וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ
and they seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
22 of 25
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Kings 18:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)Exodus 34:14For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:Exodus 20:5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;1 Kings 18:22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.1 Kings 18:30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.Numbers 25:13And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.Numbers 25:11Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my 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. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.
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 he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah flees to horeb, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18). God's covenant faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness, ultimately fulfilled in the new covenant through Christ.
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.