1 Kings 13:26
And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 25
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַנָּבִיא֮
And when the prophet
H5030
הַנָּבִיא֮
And when the prophet
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
2 of 25
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֱשִׁיב֣וֹ
that brought him back
H7725
הֱשִׁיב֣וֹ
that brought him back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַדֶּרֶךְ֒
from the way
H1870
הַדֶּרֶךְ֒
from the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 25
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אִ֣ישׁ
It is the man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
It is the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 25
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)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֣ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֣ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 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
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 25
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
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָרָ֖ה
who was disobedient
H4784
מָרָ֖ה
who was disobedient
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
12 of 25
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֣י
unto the word
H6310
פִּ֣י
unto the word
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
14 of 25
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ
hath delivered
H5414
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ
hath delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽיִּשְׁבְּרֵ֙הוּ֙
which hath torn
H7665
וַֽיִּשְׁבְּרֵ֙הוּ֙
which hath torn
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
19 of 25
to burst (literally or figuratively)
וַיְמִתֵ֔הוּ
him and slain
H4191
וַיְמִתֵ֔הוּ
him and slain
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
20 of 25
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּדְבַ֥ר
him according to the word
H1697
כִּדְבַ֥ר
him according to the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
21 of 25
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 #:
22 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
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
- 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 when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.
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 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.