King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 13:4 Mean?

1 Kings 13:4 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel,... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Kings 13:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. the LORD, and: Heb. the face of the LORD, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Beth-el, 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.

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.

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 · 30 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ2 of 30

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ3 of 30

And it came to pass when king

H4428

a king

אֶת4 of 30
H853

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

דְּבַ֣ר5 of 30

the saying

H1697

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

אִישׁ6 of 30

of the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים7 of 30

of God

H430

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 30
H834

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

קָרָ֤א9 of 30

which had cried

H7121

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

עַל10 of 30
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ11 of 30

against the altar

H4196

an altar

בְּבֵֽית12 of 30
H0
אֵ֔ל13 of 30

in Bethel

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

שָׁלַ֣ח14 of 30

that he put forth

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יָֽרָבְעָ֧ם15 of 30

Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

אֶת16 of 30
H853

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

יָדוֹ֙17 of 30

his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֵעַ֥ל18 of 30
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ19 of 30

against the altar

H4196

an altar

לֵאמֹ֣ר׀20 of 30

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תִּפְשֻׂ֑הוּ21 of 30

Lay hold

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

וַתִּיבַ֤שׁ22 of 30

against him dried up

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

יָדוֹ֙23 of 30

his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲשֶׁ֣ר24 of 30
H834

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

שָׁלַ֣ח25 of 30

that he put forth

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

עָלָ֔יו26 of 30
H5921

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

וְלֹ֥א27 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָכֹ֖ל28 of 30

so that he could

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֥הּ29 of 30

not pull it in again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלָֽיו׃30 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 13:4 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 13:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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