King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 1:10 Mean?

2 Kings 1:10 in the King James Version says “And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and con... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

2 Kings 1:10 · KJV


Context

8

And they answered him, He was an hairy man , and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

9

Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

10

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

11

Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.

12

And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 1 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Ahaziah's Illness and Elijah's Final Confrontations) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 1 regarding divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיַּֽעֲנֶ֣ה1 of 26

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֵֽלִיָּ֗הוּ2 of 26

And Elijah

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

וַיְדַבֵּר֮3 of 26

and said

H1696

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

אֶל4 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שַׂ֣ר5 of 26

to the captain

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃6 of 26

him and his fifty

H2572

fifty

וְאִם7 of 26
H518

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

אִ֤ישׁ8 of 26

If I be a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱלֹהִים֙9 of 26

of 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

אָ֔נִי10 of 26
H589

i

וַתֵּ֤רֶד11 of 26

And there came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֵשׁ֙12 of 26

fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מִן13 of 26
H4480

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

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם14 of 26

from heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַתֹּ֥אכַל15 of 26

and consume

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֹֽתְךָ֖16 of 26
H853

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

וְאֶת17 of 26
H853

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

חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃18 of 26

him and his fifty

H2572

fifty

וַתֵּ֤רֶד19 of 26

And there came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֵשׁ֙20 of 26

fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מִן21 of 26
H4480

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

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם22 of 26

from heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַתֹּ֥אכַל23 of 26

and consume

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֹת֖וֹ24 of 26
H853

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

וְאֶת25 of 26
H853

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

חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃26 of 26

him and his fifty

H2572

fifty


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 1:10 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 2 Kings 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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