King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 21:2 Mean?

1 Kings 21:2 in the King James Version says “And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near u... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. seem: Heb. be good in thine eyes

1 Kings 21:2 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

2

And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. seem: Heb. be good in thine eyes

3

And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

4

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of naboth's vineyard, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. 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. 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 · 32 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר1 of 32

spake

H1696

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

אַחְאָ֣ב2 of 32

And Ahab

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

אֶל3 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נָב֣וֹת׀4 of 32

unto Naboth

H5022

naboth, an israelite

לֵאמֹר֩׀5 of 32

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶתְּנָה6 of 32

Give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִּ֨י7 of 32
H0
אֶֽת8 of 32
H853

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

כֶּ֖רֶם9 of 32

me thy vineyard

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וִֽיהִי10 of 32
H1961

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

לִ֣י11 of 32
H0
לְגַן12 of 32

that I may have it for a garden

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

יָרָ֗ק13 of 32

of herbs

H3419

properly, green; concretely, a vegetable

כִּ֣י14 of 32
H3588

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

ה֤וּא15 of 32
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

קָרוֹב֙16 of 32

because it is near

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֵ֣צֶל17 of 32

unto

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

בֵּיתִ֔י18 of 32

my house

H1004

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

אֶתְּנָה19 of 32

Give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֙20 of 32
H0
תַּחְתָּ֔יו21 of 32
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כֶּ֖רֶם22 of 32

me thy vineyard

H3754

a garden or vineyard

ט֣וֹב23 of 32

than it or if it seem good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

מִמֶּ֑נּוּ24 of 32
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אִ֚ם25 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ט֣וֹב26 of 32

than it or if it seem good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ27 of 32

to thee

H5869

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

אֶתְּנָה28 of 32

Give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֥29 of 32
H0
כֶ֖סֶף30 of 32

of it in money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

מְחִ֥יר31 of 32

thee the worth

H4242

price, payment, wages

זֶֽה׃32 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 21:2 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 21:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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