King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 1:13 Mean?

2 Kings 1:13 in the King James Version says “And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. fell: Heb. bowed

2 Kings 1:13 · KJV


Context

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.

13

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. fell: Heb. bowed

14

Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.

15

And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

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 · 30 words
וַיָּ֗שָׁב1 of 30

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח2 of 30

And he sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

שַׂר3 of 30

a captain

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים4 of 30

fifty

H2572

fifty

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י5 of 30

And the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים6 of 30

fifty

H2572

fifty

וַיַּ֡עַל7 of 30

went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וַיָּבֹא֩8 of 30

and came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שַׂר9 of 30

a captain

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים10 of 30

fifty

H2572

fifty

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י11 of 30

And the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

וַיִּכְרַ֥ע12 of 30

and fell

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

עַל13 of 30
H5921

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

בִּרְכָּ֣יו׀14 of 30

on his knees

H1290

a knee

לְנֶ֣גֶד15 of 30

before

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

אֵֽלִיָּ֗הוּ16 of 30

Elijah

H452

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

וַיִּתְחַנֵּ֤ן17 of 30

and besought

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

אֵלָיו֙18 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר19 of 30

him and said

H1696

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

אֵלָ֔יו20 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֚ישׁ21 of 30

unto him O 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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים22 of 30

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

תִּֽיקַר23 of 30

be precious

H3365

properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)

נָ֣א24 of 30
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ25 of 30

I pray thee let 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

וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ26 of 30

I pray thee let 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

עֲבָדֶ֥יךָֽ27 of 30

thy servants

H5650

a servant

אֵ֛לֶּה28 of 30
H428

these or those

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים29 of 30

fifty

H2572

fifty

בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃30 of 30

in thy sight

H5869

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


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 1:13 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 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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