1 Kings 20:28
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ
And there came
H5066
וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ
And there came
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
1 of 33
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
אִ֣ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 33
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 33
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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 33
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
9 of 33
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַ֠עַן
H3282
יַ֠עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
12 of 33
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲרָם֙
Because the Syrians
H758
אֲרָם֙
Because the Syrians
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
15 of 33
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 33
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
הָרִים֙
of the hills
H2022
הָרִים֙
of the hills
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 33
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
but he is not God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 of 33
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
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
22 of 33
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְ֠נָֽתַתִּי
therefore will I deliver
H5414
וְ֠נָֽתַתִּי
therefore will I deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 33
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 33
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 #:
25 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֶֽהָמ֨וֹן
multitude
H1995
הֶֽהָמ֨וֹן
multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
26 of 33
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
הַגָּ֤דוֹל
all this great
H1419
הַגָּ֤דוֹל
all this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
27 of 33
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
into thine hand
H3027
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
into thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
29 of 33
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
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall know
H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם
and ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
30 of 33
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 20:13And, 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.1 Kings 17:18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?Psalms 79:10Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.Ezekiel 12:16But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
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 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.
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 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.