2 Kings 1:16
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
And he said
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
And he said
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 31
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 31
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 31
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַ֜עַן
H3282
יַ֜עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
6 of 31
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ
Forasmuch as thou hast sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ
Forasmuch as thou hast sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכִים֮
messengers
H4397
מַלְאָכִים֮
messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
9 of 31
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
לִדְרֹ֖שׁ
to enquire
H1875
לִדְרֹ֖שׁ
to enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֱלֹהִים֙
is it not because there is no God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
is it not because there is no God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 31
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
הַֽמִבְּלִ֤י
H1097
הַֽמִבְּלִ֤י
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
אֱלֹהִים֙
is it not because there is no God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
is it not because there is no God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 31
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
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִדְרֹ֖שׁ
to enquire
H1875
לִדְרֹ֖שׁ
to enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
בִּדְבָר֑וֹ
of his word
H1697
בִּדְבָר֑וֹ
of his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
20 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לָ֠כֵן
H3651
לָ֠כֵן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הַמִּטָּ֞ה
off that bed
H4296
הַמִּטָּ֞ה
off that bed
Strong's:
H4296
Word #:
22 of 31
a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלִ֥יתָ
on which thou art gone up
H5927
עָלִ֥יתָ
on which thou art gone up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
24 of 31
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
שָּׁ֛ם
H8033
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
26 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵרֵ֥ד
therefore thou shalt not come down
H3381
תֵרֵ֥ד
therefore thou shalt not come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
27 of 31
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִמֶּ֖נָּה
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נָּה
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
28 of 31
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
29 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 1 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Ahaziah's Illness and Elijah's Final Confrontations) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 1 regarding divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.