King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 19:10 Mean?

1 Kings 19:10 in the King James Version says “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19:10 · KJV

Context

8

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

9

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12

And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Read 1 Kings 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah flees to horeb, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18). God's covenant faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness, ultimately fulfilled in the new covenant through Christ.

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. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

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 · 25 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 25

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קִנֵּ֜אתִי2 of 25

“I have been very”

H7065

to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious

קִנֵּ֜אתִי3 of 25

“I have been very”

H7065

to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious

לַֽיהוָ֣ה׀4 of 25

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 25

“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

צְבָא֗וֹת6 of 25

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

כִּֽי7 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָזְב֤וּ8 of 25

“have forsaken”

H5800

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

בְרִֽיתְךָ֙9 of 25

“thy covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

בְּנֵ֣י10 of 25

“for 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל11 of 25

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶת12 of 25
H853

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

מִזְבְּחֹתֶ֣יךָ13 of 25

“thine altars”

H4196

an altar

הָרָ֔סוּ14 of 25

“thrown down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

וְאֶת15 of 25
H853

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

נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ16 of 25

“thy prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הָֽרְג֣וּ17 of 25

“and slain”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

בֶחָ֑רֶב18 of 25

“with the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וָֽאִוָּתֵ֤ר19 of 25

“and I even I only am left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

אֲנִי֙20 of 25
H589

i

לְבַדִּ֔י21 of 25
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ22 of 25

“and they seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת23 of 25
H853

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

נַפְשִׁ֖י24 of 25

“my life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְקַחְתָּֽהּ׃25 of 25

“to take it away”

H3947

to take (in the widest 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 19:10 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 19:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 18:4Exodus 34:141 Kings 18:221 Kings 18:30Exodus 20:5Romans 11:2-4

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Kings 19 with CommentaryAll 1 Kings ChaptersComplete 1 Kings QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes