King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 14:24 Mean?

1 Kings 14:24 in the King James Version says “And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.”

1 Kings 14:24 · KJV

Context

22

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

23

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. images: or, standing images, or, statues

24

And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

25

And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:

26

And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

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 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 · 14 words
וְגַם1 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

קָדֵ֖שׁ2 of 14

“And there were also sodomites”

H6945

a (quasi) sacred person, i.e., (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry

הָיָ֣ה3 of 14
H1961

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

בָאָ֑רֶץ4 of 14

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עָשׂ֗וּ5 of 14

“and they did”

H6213

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

כְּכֹל֙6 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַתּֽוֹעֲבֹ֣ת7 of 14

“according to all the abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם8 of 14

“of the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר֙9 of 14
H834

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

הוֹרִ֣ישׁ10 of 14

“cast out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 14

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

מִפְּנֵ֖י12 of 14

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בְּנֵ֥י13 of 14

“the children”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃14 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 14:24 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 14:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 23:172 Kings 23:71 Corinthians 6:91 Kings 15:121 Kings 22:46Genesis 19:5

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