1 Kings 15 30

1 Kings 15:30 kjv

Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

1 Kings 15:30 nkjv

because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he had sinned and by which he had made Israel sin, because of his provocation with which he had provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

1 Kings 15:30 niv

This happened because of the sins Jeroboam had committed and had caused Israel to commit, and because he aroused the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel.

1 Kings 15:30 esv

It was for the sins of Jeroboam that he sinned and that he made Israel to sin, and because of the anger to which he provoked the LORD, the God of Israel.

1 Kings 15:30 nlt

This was done because Jeroboam had provoked the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, by the sins he had committed and the sins he had led Israel to commit.

1 Kings 15 verses

1 Kings 15 30 Meaning

This verse explains the divine reason for the destruction of Jeroboam's royal lineage (as detailed in 1 Kings 15:29). The judgment came upon Jeroboam's house because of the multitude of sins he personally committed, and critically, because he caused the entire nation of Israel to fall into sin through the establishment of calf worship and its associated idolatrous practices. Furthermore, his actions were a direct and intentional provocation of the Lord God of Israel, inciting His righteous anger.

1 Kings 15 30 Context

1 Kings 15:30 stands as the divine commentary following the brutal eradication of Jeroboam's entire lineage by Baasha in 1 Kings 15:29. This destruction, though carried out by Baasha, is revealed as God's just judgment. The immediate context of 1 Kings 15 details the reigns of King Asa in Judah, characterized by a heart committed to the Lord despite challenges, and the rapid, short-lived, and wicked reigns of Nadab (Jeroboam's son) and Baasha in Israel. The chapter establishes a recurring pattern of divine judgment against kings who persisted in the "sins of Jeroboam." Historically, after the division of the monarchy (1 Ki 12), Jeroboam established rival centers of worship in Bethel and Dan with golden calves, fearing that allowing his people to worship in Jerusalem would lead to their return to Rehoboam. This action fundamentally altered the religious landscape of the Northern Kingdom, establishing institutionalized idolatry which became its defining spiritual failing for generations and a recurring phrase ("the sin of Jeroboam") throughout the historical books. This was a direct violation of God's covenant commands against idolatry, sacrificing to other gods, and unauthorized priesthood, provoking God's anger.

1 Kings 15 30 Word analysis

• because of the sins: (Hebrew: ba'avonot בַּעֲוֹנוֹת - "because of the iniquities/sins") Emphasizes a plurality of wicked acts, implying deep-seated rebellion and ongoing transgression, not merely an isolated mistake.
• of Jeroboam: The individual responsible. Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the first king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), whose actions laid the foundation for the spiritual decline of Israel. His name becomes synonymous with national apostasy.
• which he sinned: (Hebrew: asher chata אֲשֶׁר חָטָא - "which he missed the mark/transgressed"). Refers to his personal transgressions, primarily his initiation of golden calf worship and setting up an alternative religious system in defiance of God's explicit commands and His designated place of worship in Jerusalem. This was a deliberate act of disobedience rooted in political expediency, not theological conviction.
• and which he made Israel to sin: (Hebrew: ve'asher hech'ti et Yisra'el וַאֲשֶׁר הֶחֱטִיא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל - "and which he caused Israel to sin/go astray"). This highlights the compounded gravity of Jeroboam's actions. It wasn't just his personal failing; he intentionally led an entire nation into idolatry and disobedience. The causative verb (hech'ti) shows active responsibility for corrupting others, establishing a harmful pattern that would persist through successive reigns in Israel.
• and because of his provocation: (Hebrew: u'veka'aso וּבְכַעֲסוֹ - "and because of his vexation/anger/provocation"). Refers to the severe offense given to God. It implies an irritating and offensive course of action. This points to the depth of defiance in Jeroboam's sin, treating God's commandments with disdain.
• with which he provoked: (Hebrew: asher hik'is אֲשֶׁר הִכְעִיס - "which he caused to be angry/angered"). This reiterates and strengthens the previous phrase, underscoring the direct and forceful nature of Jeroboam's rebellion. His actions were a deliberate affront to the Almighty.
• the Lord God of Israel: (Hebrew: YHWH Elohei Yisrael יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). This specific divine title is highly significant. It emphasizes God's covenant relationship with Israel and His unique authority over them. Jeroboam's sin was not against a generic deity, but against the sovereign Creator and Redeemer who had chosen and bound Himself to Israel through a covenant. Provoking this God highlights the profound breach of fidelity and the severity of the betrayal.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned": This phrase underlines the king's personal culpability for his wicked policies and practices. His foundational decisions set Israel on a course of apostasy.
• "and which he made Israel to sin": This distinguishes Jeroboam's actions as particularly heinous, highlighting his responsibility not only for his own spiritual demise but for the pervasive spiritual corruption he bequeathed to the Northern Kingdom. A leader's impact, whether for good or ill, is far-reaching.
• "and because of his provocation with which he provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger": This emphatic repetition reinforces the direct, intentional, and blasphemous nature of Jeroboam's rebellion. His idolatry was not merely a ritualistic error but a deep-seated offense that challenged the very essence of God's unique identity, covenant faithfulness, and righteous character, incurring His just wrath.

1 Kings 15 30 Bonus section

• The recurring phrase "the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin" becomes a standard evaluative phrase for successive Northern kings in Kings, highlighting how deep and foundational Jeroboam's apostasy was. It set a benchmark for wickedness in Israel.
• This verse encapsulates a crucial theme in the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua to Kings): covenant faithfulness leads to blessing, while idolatry and disobedience lead to curses and judgment. Jeroboam's reign initiates a downward spiral that would culminate in Israel's exile.
• The Lord's judgment, while severe, was also announced beforehand through the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 14:7-11), underscoring God's patience and warning, but also the certainty of fulfillment for unrepentant sin.
• The fact that God, referred to as "the Lord God of Israel," was provoked emphasizes the intimate, yet violated, covenant relationship, distinguishing Him from the pagan deities. His anger is a holy, righteous indignation against betrayal by His chosen people's leader.
• This verse implicitly warns against leading others astray, particularly in matters of faith. The impact of a leader's sin can extend far beyond their personal actions, affecting generations and drawing a nation into apostasy.

1 Kings 15 30 Commentary

1 Kings 15:30 serves as a profound theological statement, offering divine clarity on the calamitous events unfolding within the divided monarchy. It explicitly attributes the eradication of Jeroboam's dynasty not to the mere fortunes of war or human political maneuvering, but to God's righteous judgment. The verse succinctly captures Jeroboam's twofold offense: his personal "sins," primarily the creation of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, and the far more damning reality that he "made Israel to sin." This act of institutionalized idolatry became a systemic spiritual problem, known thereafter as "the sin of Jeroboam," establishing a corrosive legacy that persisted throughout the Northern Kingdom's history until its eventual downfall. His actions directly "provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger," highlighting the covenant-breaking nature of his apostasy and the divine wrath it righteously incurred. The repetition of "sin" and "provoke" emphasizes the deliberate and offensive nature of Jeroboam's conduct towards the Holy God. This passage underscores the principle of divine accountability, particularly for leaders, demonstrating that God actively intervenes in human history to uphold His justice and respond to profound rebellion against His sovereignty and covenant. It paints a picture of a God who is both patient yet unwavering in His demand for exclusive devotion.