1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ
heard
H8085
כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אַחְאָ֜ב
And it came to pass when Ahab
H256
אַחְאָ֜ב
And it came to pass when Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
3 of 17
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
those words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
those words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע
that he rent
H7167
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע
that he rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
7 of 17
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
וַיָּֽשֶׂם
and put
H7760
וַיָּֽשֶׂם
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
H8242
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
Strong's:
H8242
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ
upon his flesh
H1320
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ
upon his flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
12 of 17
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב
and lay
H7901
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב
and lay
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
14 of 17
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
H8242
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
Strong's:
H8242
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
Cross References
2 Kings 6:30And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.Genesis 37:34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.2 Samuel 3:31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.Isaiah 22:12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:Isaiah 38:15What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.Job 16:15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.Joel 1:13Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.2 Kings 18:37Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
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 it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
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.