King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 13:2 Mean?

1 Kings 13:2 in the King James Version says “And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child s...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.”

1 Kings 13:2 · KJV

Context

1

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. burn: or, offer

2

And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

3

And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.

4

And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

Read 1 Kings 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

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 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. 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיִּקְרָ֤א1 of 29

“And he cried”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

עַל2 of 29
H5921

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

מִזְבֵּ֔חַ3 of 29

“O altar”

H4196

an altar

בִּדְבַ֣ר4 of 29

“in the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 29

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אָמַ֣ר6 of 29

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִזְבֵּ֔חַ7 of 29

“O altar”

H4196

an altar

מִזְבֵּ֔חַ8 of 29

“O altar”

H4196

an altar

כֹּ֖ה9 of 29
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר10 of 29

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 29

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנֵּה12 of 29
H2009

lo!

בֵ֞ן13 of 29

“Behold a child”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נוֹלָ֤ד14 of 29

“shall be born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְבֵית15 of 29

“unto the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

דָּוִד֙16 of 29

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֣הֽוּ17 of 29

“Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

שְׁמ֔וֹ18 of 29

“by ~”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וְזָבַ֣ח19 of 29

“and upon thee shall he offer”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

עָלֶ֗יךָ20 of 29
H5921

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

אֶת21 of 29
H853

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

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֤י22 of 29

“the priests”

H3548

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

הַבָּמוֹת֙23 of 29

“of the high places”

H1116

an elevation

הַמַּקְטִרִ֣ים24 of 29

“that burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

עָלֶ֔יךָ25 of 29
H5921

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

וְעַצְמ֥וֹת26 of 29

“bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

אָדָ֖ם27 of 29

“upon thee and men's”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ28 of 29

“shall be burnt”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

עָלֶֽיךָ׃29 of 29
H5921

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

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 13:2 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 13:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 36:12 Kings 23:15-182 Kings 22:1-2Isaiah 48:5-7Isaiah 46:10Isaiah 58:1

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