1 Kings 21:19
And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
Original Language Analysis
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙
And thou shalt speak
H1696
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙
And thou shalt speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֲרָצַ֖חְתָּ
Hast thou killed
H7523
הֲרָצַ֖חְתָּ
Hast thou killed
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יָרָ֑שְׁתָּ
and also taken possession
H3423
יָרָ֑שְׁתָּ
and also taken possession
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
9 of 28
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
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙
And thou shalt speak
H1696
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙
And thou shalt speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּמְק֗וֹם
In the place
H4725
בִּמְק֗וֹם
In the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
16 of 28
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַכְּלָבִ֛ים
shall dogs
H3611
הַכְּלָבִ֛ים
shall dogs
Strong's:
H3611
Word #:
19 of 28
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּֽמְךָ֖
the blood
H1818
דָּֽמְךָ֖
the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
21 of 28
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
הַכְּלָבִ֛ים
shall dogs
H3611
הַכְּלָבִ֛ים
shall dogs
Strong's:
H3611
Word #:
24 of 28
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּֽמְךָ֖
the blood
H1818
דָּֽמְךָ֖
the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
26 of 28
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
Cross References
1 Kings 22:38And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.2 Samuel 12:9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
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 thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of naboth's vineyard, 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.