King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 13:3 Mean?

1 Kings 13:3 in the King James Version says “And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, a...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Kings 13:3 · 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.

5

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

Read 1 Kings 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 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.

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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 · 17 words
וְנָתַן֩1 of 17

“And he gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בַּיּ֨וֹם2 of 17

“the same 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

הַה֤וּא3 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַמּוֹפֵ֔ת4 of 17

“This is the sign”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

לֵאמֹ֔ר5 of 17

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

זֶ֣ה6 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַמּוֹפֵ֔ת7 of 17

“This is the sign”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

אֲשֶׁ֖ר8 of 17
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֣ר9 of 17

“hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֑ה10 of 17

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

הִנֵּ֤ה11 of 17
H2009

lo!

הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙12 of 17

“Behold the altar”

H4196

an altar

נִקְרָ֔ע13 of 17

“shall be rent”

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

וְנִשְׁפַּ֖ךְ14 of 17

“that are upon it shall be poured out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

הַדֶּ֥שֶׁן15 of 17

“and the ashes”

H1880

the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e., (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices

אֲשֶׁר16 of 17
H834

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

עָלָֽיו׃17 of 17
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 13:3 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 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:22Exodus 4:3-5Judges 6:17John 2:18Deuteronomy 13:1-3Jeremiah 44:29

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