King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 21:19 Mean?

1 Kings 21:19 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

1 Kings 21:19 · KJV


Context

17

And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

18

Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.

19

And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

20

And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

21

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of naboth's vineyard, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.

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 · 28 words
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙1 of 28

And thou shalt speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלָ֜יו2 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָמַ֣ר3 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֚ה4 of 28
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר5 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 28

the LORD

H3068

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

הֲרָצַ֖חְתָּ7 of 28

Hast thou killed

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

וְגַם8 of 28
H1571

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

יָרָ֑שְׁתָּ9 of 28

and also taken possession

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

וְדִבַּרְתָּ֙10 of 28

And thou shalt speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלָ֜יו11 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָמַ֣ר12 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֚ה13 of 28
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר14 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 28

the LORD

H3068

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

בִּמְק֗וֹם16 of 28

In the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 28
H834

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

יָלֹ֧קּוּ18 of 28

lick

H3952

to lick or lap

הַכְּלָבִ֛ים19 of 28

shall dogs

H3611

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

אֶת20 of 28
H853

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

דָּֽמְךָ֖21 of 28

the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָב֔וֹת22 of 28

of Naboth

H5022

naboth, an israelite

יָלֹ֧קּוּ23 of 28

lick

H3952

to lick or lap

הַכְּלָבִ֛ים24 of 28

shall dogs

H3611

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

אֶת25 of 28
H853

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

דָּֽמְךָ֖26 of 28

the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

גַּם27 of 28
H1571

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

אָֽתָּה׃28 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you


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 21:19 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 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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