1 Kings Chapter 13 · Verse 1

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Beth-el: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִנֵּ֣ה׀ H2009
וְהִנֵּ֣ה׀
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 1 of 15
lo!
אִ֣ישׁ a man H376
אִ֣ישׁ a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 2 of 15
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)
אֱלֹהִ֗ים of God H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 15
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
בָּ֧א And behold there came H935
בָּ֧א And behold there came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 4 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִֽיהוּדָ֛ה out of Judah H3063
מִֽיהוּדָ֛ה out of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 5 of 15
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בִּדְבַ֥ר by the word H1697
בִּדְבַ֥ר by the word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 15
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
בֵּֽית H0
בֵּֽית
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 15
אֵ֑ל unto Bethel H1008
אֵ֑ל unto Bethel
Strong's: H1008
Word #: 10 of 15
beth-el, a place in palestine
וְיָֽרָבְעָ֛ם and Jeroboam H3379
וְיָֽרָבְעָ֛ם and Jeroboam
Strong's: H3379
Word #: 11 of 15
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
עֹמֵ֥ד stood H5975
עֹמֵ֥ד stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 12 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ by the altar H4196
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ by the altar
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 14 of 15
an altar
לְהַקְטִֽיר׃ to burn incense H6999
לְהַקְטִֽיר׃ to burn incense
Strong's: H6999
Word #: 15 of 15
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

Analysis & Commentary

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Beth-el: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of the man of god from judah, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

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.

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