1 Kings 20:13
And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
נִגַּשׁ֮
And behold there came
H5066
נִגַּשׁ֮
And behold there came
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
4 of 26
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
אַחְאָ֣ב
unto Ahab
H256
אַחְאָ֣ב
unto Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
6 of 26
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָֽה׃
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הְֽרָאִ֔יתָ
Hast thou seen
H7200
הְֽרָאִ֔יתָ
Hast thou seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
13 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן
multitude
H1995
הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן
multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
16 of 26
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
הַגָּד֖וֹל
all this great
H1419
הַגָּד֖וֹל
all this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
17 of 26
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
נֹֽתְנ֤וֹ
behold I will deliver
H5414
נֹֽתְנ֤וֹ
behold I will deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
20 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְיָֽדְךָ֙
it into thine hand
H3027
בְיָֽדְךָ֙
it into thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
21 of 26
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
הַיּ֔וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
22 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֖
and thou shalt know
H3045
וְיָֽדַעְתָּ֖
and thou shalt know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
23 of 26
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
1 Kings 20:28And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 20:22Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.Isaiah 37:20Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.Joel 3:17So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.Ezekiel 20:14But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
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, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of ahab's wars with syria, 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 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.