King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 16:7 Mean?

1 Kings 16:7 in the King James Version says “And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his hou... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

1 Kings 16:7 · KJV


Context

5

Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

6

So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

7

And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

8

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

9

And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah. steward: Heb. which was over


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kings of israel: elah, zimri, omri, ahab, 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 prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

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
וְגַ֡ם1 of 30
H1571

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

יָדָ֔יו2 of 30

And also by the 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

יֵה֨וּא3 of 30

Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

בֶן4 of 30

the son

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

חֲנָ֜נִי5 of 30

of Hanani

H2607

chanani, the name of six israelites

הַנָּבִ֗יא6 of 30

of the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

דְּבַר7 of 30

came the word

H1697

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

יְהוָ֗ה8 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

הָיָה֩9 of 30
H1961

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

אֶל10 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּעְשָׁ֨א11 of 30

against Baasha

H1201

basha, a king of israel

וְאֶל12 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כְּבֵ֣ית13 of 30

and against his house

H1004

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

וְעַ֥ל14 of 30
H5921

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

כָּל15 of 30
H3605

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

הָֽרָעָ֣ה׀16 of 30

even for all the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁר17 of 30
H834

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

עָשָׂ֣ה׀18 of 30

that he did

H6213

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

בְּעֵינֵ֣י19 of 30

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֗ה20 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

לְהַכְעִיסוֹ֙21 of 30

in provoking him to anger

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

בְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה22 of 30

with the work

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יָדָ֔יו23 of 30

And also by the 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

לִֽהְי֖וֹת24 of 30
H1961

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

כְּבֵ֣ית25 of 30

and against his house

H1004

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֑ם26 of 30

of Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

וְעַ֥ל27 of 30
H5921

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

אֲשֶׁר28 of 30
H834

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

הִכָּ֖ה29 of 30

and because he killed

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֹתֽוֹ׃30 of 30
H853

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


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 16:7 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 16:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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