1 Kings 13:8
And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
Original Language Analysis
אִישׁ
And the man
H376
אִישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 22
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)
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 22
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
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
6 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּתֶּן
If thou wilt give
H5414
תִּתֶּן
If thou wilt give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵיתֶ֔ךָ
thine house
H1004
בֵיתֶ֔ךָ
thine house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָבֹ֖א
I will not go in
H935
אָבֹ֖א
I will not go in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עִמָּ֑ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
14 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֹ֤כַל
with thee neither will I eat
H398
אֹ֤כַל
with thee neither will I eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
16 of 22
to eat (literally or figuratively)
לֶ֙חֶם֙
bread
H3899
לֶ֙חֶם֙
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
17 of 22
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מַּ֔יִם
water
H4325
מַּ֔יִם
water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
20 of 22
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Numbers 24:13If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?Numbers 22:18And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.Mark 6:23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.Mark 6:11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.Exodus 5:6And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,Exodus 7:2Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.Exodus 5:3And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.2 Kings 5:16But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
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 the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').
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.