King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 14:10 Mean?

1 Kings 14:10 in the King James Version says “Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.”

1 Kings 14:10 · KJV

Context

8

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

10

Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

11

Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it.

12

Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, 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 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 · 23 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 23
H3651

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

הִנְנִ֨י2 of 23
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֤יא3 of 23

“Therefore behold I will bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

רָעָה֙4 of 23

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֶל5 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵית6 of 23

“of the house”

H1004

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם7 of 23

“from Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י8 of 23

“and will cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם9 of 23

“from Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

מַשְׁתִּ֣ין10 of 23

“him that pisseth”

H8366

(causatively) to make water, i.e., urinate

בְּקִ֔יר11 of 23

“against the wall”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

עָצ֥וּר12 of 23

“and him that is shut up”

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

וְעָז֖וּב13 of 23

“and left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 23

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְבַעֵ֥ר15 of 23

“and will take away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י16 of 23

“the remnant”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

בֵית17 of 23

“of the house”

H1004

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם18 of 23

“from Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר19 of 23
H834

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

יְבַעֵ֥ר20 of 23

“and will take away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הַגָּלָ֖ל21 of 23

“dung”

H1557

dung (as in balls)

עַד22 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

תֻּמּֽוֹ׃23 of 23

“till it be all gone”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

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 14:10 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 14:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:362 Kings 14:261 Kings 21:212 Kings 9:8-92 Kings 9:37Jeremiah 8:2

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