King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 12:32 Mean?

1 Kings 12:32 in the King James Version says “And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Jud...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. offered: or, went up to the altar, etc sacrificing: or, to sacrifice”

1 Kings 12:32 · KJV

Context

30

And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

31

And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

32

And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. offered: or, went up to the altar, etc sacrificing: or, to sacrifice

33

So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. offered: or, went up to the altar, etc and burnt: Heb. to burn incense

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kingdom divided: rehoboam and jeroboam, within the book's focus on kingdom division as judgment for Solomon's idolatry. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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. The kingdom division (c. 930 BCE) created the northern kingdom (Israel, 10 tribes) and southern kingdom (Judah, 2 tribes).

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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can leaders today avoid Rehoboam's mistakes and lead with wisdom rather than pride?
  2. What does the kingdom division teach about the long-term consequences of generational sin and compromise?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
עָשָֽׂה׃1 of 31

“So did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יָֽרָבְעָ֣ם׀2 of 31

“And Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

כֶּחָ֣ג׀3 of 31

“a feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

לַחֹ֜דֶשׁ4 of 31

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁמִינִ֣י5 of 31

“in the eighth”

H8066

eight

בַּחֲמִשָּֽׁה6 of 31

“on the fifteenth”

H2568

five

עָשָׂר֩7 of 31
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

י֨וֹם׀8 of 31

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַחֹ֜דֶשׁ9 of 31

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

כֶּחָ֣ג׀10 of 31

“a feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה12 of 31

“that is in Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיַּ֙עַל֙13 of 31

“and he offered”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל14 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ15 of 31

“upon the altar”

H4196

an altar

כֵּ֤ן16 of 31
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עָשָֽׂה׃17 of 31

“So did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְּבֵֽית18 of 31
H0
אֵ֔ל19 of 31

“he in Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

לְזַבֵּ֖חַ20 of 31

“sacrificing”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לָֽעֲגָלִ֣ים21 of 31

“unto the calves”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

אֲשֶׁר22 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָֽׂה׃23 of 31

“So did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְהֶֽעֱמִיד֙24 of 31

“and he placed”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּבֵ֣ית25 of 31
H0
אֵ֔ל26 of 31

“he in Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

אֶת27 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֥י28 of 31

“the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַבָּמ֖וֹת29 of 31

“of the high places”

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁ֥ר30 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָֽׂה׃31 of 31

“So did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 12:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 12:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 29:12-40Amos 7:10-131 Kings 8:51 Kings 8:2Leviticus 23:33-44Ezekiel 43:8

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
View all places in 1 Kings 12 →

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