1 Kings 21 17

1 Kings 21:17 kjv

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

1 Kings 21:17 nkjv

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

1 Kings 21:17 niv

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:

1 Kings 21:17 esv

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

1 Kings 21:17 nlt

But the LORD said to Elijah,

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 17 Meaning

This verse marks a direct and authoritative divine intervention following King Ahab's sinful acquisition of Naboth's vineyard. It signifies that despite human actions and apparent triumphs, the sovereign LORD sees all injustice and initiates a divine response through His chosen prophet, Elijah, bringing forth a message of confrontation and judgment.

1 Kings 21 17 Context

First Kings chapter 21 chronicles the infamous incident of Naboth's vineyard. King Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard, which Naboth refused to sell due to ancestral inheritance laws. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, engineered a plot, using false witnesses to accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason, leading to his stoning and subsequent death. Ahab then seized the vineyard. Verse 17 immediately follows Ahab's perceived success in acquiring the land. This verse serves as a crucial turning point, initiating God's swift response to the blatant injustice, abuse of royal power, and murder. It sets the stage for a divine confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel, highlighting the Lord's intolerance for such wickedness and His active involvement in human affairs, even against kings.

1 Kings 21 17 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw conjunction, connecting this divine pronouncement directly to the preceding events of Naboth's murder and Ahab's acquisition of the vineyard. It signals an immediate, divinely ordained consequence.
• the word: Hebrew דְּבַר (devar). Not merely spoken sounds, but carrying the inherent power, authority, and intention of God. In biblical thought, God's "word" is often active and effective, creating (Gen 1:3), accomplishing His will (Isa 55:11), and serving as revelation.
• of the LORD: Hebrew יְהוָה (YHWH), the sacred covenant name of God. This specifies that the communication originates from the one true God of Israel, not Baal or any other pagan deity. It emphasizes divine sovereignty, righteousness, and His covenant relationship with Israel, which includes upholding justice.
• came: Hebrew הָיָה (hayah), meaning "to be," "to come into existence," or "to come to pass." Here, it denotes an active, dynamic act of communication, a divine encounter or revelation rather than a passive observation. The word didn't just exist; it actively "came" to Elijah.
• to Elijah: Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyyahu), meaning "My God is YHWH" or "YHWH is my God." This prophet's name itself is a declaration against the Baal worship rampant in Israel. He is God's designated messenger for this period, known for direct confrontations and prophetic signs.
• the Tishbite: Indicates Elijah's origin from Tishbe in Gilead, an area east of the Jordan. This detail subtly emphasizes his role as a prophet from outside the traditional religious establishment or the royal court, underscoring the authenticity and impartiality of his message directly from God.
• saying: Hebrew לֵאמֹר (lemor), an infinitive used to introduce direct speech or a specific message from the speaker, here the LORD. It signals that what follows is the direct utterance or instruction from God to Elijah.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the word of the LORD came": This phrase highlights divine initiative and the arrival of a divine message. It implies God's full awareness of the injustice that occurred and His readiness to act upon it. The "word" signifies the active and powerful will of YHWH.
• "to Elijah the Tishbite, saying": This part emphasizes the specific divine channel chosen and commissioned for this grave message. Elijah's character as a man of God, his unflinching boldness, and his past confrontations with Ahab and Baal worshippers make him the ideal instrument for conveying this solemn divine verdict to the king. His origin as a "Tishbite" reiterates that God raises up His messengers from various places, not confined to established centers of power.

1 Kings 21 17 Bonus section

The immediacy of God's response after Ahab takes possession of the vineyard is striking. There is no delay, no perceived opportunity for Ahab to enjoy his ill-gotten gains without divine challenge. This speaks powerfully to God's attentiveness to justice and His active opposition to wickedness, especially when perpetrated by those in positions of power. It serves as a reminder that temporal 'success' achieved through unrighteousness is fleeting and comes at a spiritual cost, immediately bringing one under divine scrutiny and judgment.

1 Kings 21 17 Commentary

1 Kings 21:17 marks a dramatic shift from human schemes and perceived victories to God's immediate and righteous intervention. Following the calculated murder of Naboth and King Ahab's subsequent complacent appropriation of the vineyard, this verse declares that the silent injustice is now addressed by the speaking God. "The word of the LORD" is not merely informative; it is powerfully effectual, signaling that God is fully cognizant of the sin committed. This direct address to Elijah emphasizes God's consistent method of communication through His chosen prophets to deliver His will, especially in times of widespread unrighteousness. It underscores the profound theological truth that no deed, however covertly executed by humans, escapes the divine scrutiny and justice of YHWH. The Tishbite, Elijah, serves as the conduit for this unavoidable encounter between the corrupt monarchy and the sovereign, moral authority of the Almighty. This is a foundational moment illustrating that earthly power, however absolute, is always accountable to a higher divine power and its unwavering standards of justice.