1 Kings 21 28

1 Kings 21:28 kjv

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

1 Kings 21:28 nkjv

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

1 Kings 21:28 niv

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

1 Kings 21:28 esv

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

1 Kings 21:28 nlt

Then another message from the LORD came to Elijah:

1 Kings 21 verses

1 Kings 21 28 Meaning

This verse marks a crucial pivot point in the narrative of King Ahab, establishing the divine origin of the message that follows. It signifies that the communication is a direct and authoritative pronouncement from Yahweh, the God of Israel, delivered through His chosen messenger, Elijah. It specifically introduces God's merciful response to Ahab's self-abasement, indicating that the impending judgment upon his house would be deferred during his lifetime.

1 Kings 21 28 Context

This verse is situated immediately following Ahab's extraordinary and public display of humility (1 Kin 21:27) after Elijah had delivered a severe prophecy of judgment against him and his house (1 Kin 21:19-24) due to the murder of Naboth and the seizure of his vineyard. The previous divine message (1 Kin 21:17) initiated the judgment; this new "word of the Lord" demonstrates God's immediate and merciful response to Ahab's specific, albeit possibly superficial, repentance. It is not a revocation of the judgment but a deferment of its severest consequences until after Ahab's death. This reflects the broader historical context of God's engagement with Israel's kings, often mixing judgment with opportunities for repentance and extensions of grace. It highlights the prophetic function of confronting wickedness but also delivering nuanced divine messages.

1 Kings 21 28 Word analysis

• And (וַיְהִי - va·ye·hî): The Hebrew conjunction waw plus the verb hayah (to be, to happen). Often translated "And it came to pass" or "Then." Here, it marks a direct sequence or logical progression from Ahab's action, introducing a new, divine initiative in response.
• the word (דְּבַר - də·ḇar): The Hebrew word davar encompasses more than mere sound; it signifies an active, effective, and authoritative utterance. It is the creative power of God, His revealed will, and His communication of truth and judgment. Unlike the empty words of false gods like Baal, Yahweh's word has tangible power and consequences.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH, Adonai): Refers to the sacred and personal name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel and His supreme sovereignty. This name underscores that the message comes from the one true living God, in stark contrast to the pagan deities Ahab and Jezebel championed.
• came (אֶל - ʾel): A preposition meaning "to" or "towards." It indicates the specific direction and intended recipient of the divine message, signifying a direct and purposeful transmission.
• to Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ - ʾĒliyyāhū): Elijah's name means "My God is Yahweh," a powerful statement against Baal worship. His identity is intrinsically linked to his prophetic role. His persistent presence and direct address from God validate his authority as Yahweh's premier prophet in this tumultuous period.
• the Tishbite (הַתִּשְׁבִּי - haTishbî): This epithet typically describes someone from Tishbe in Gilead. It signifies Elijah's origin, perhaps distinguishing him as a non-court prophet and emphasizing his connection to a more remote, untamed region, which aligns with his wild and uncompromised prophetic persona.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - lēʾmor): A common Hebrew idiom literally meaning "to say" or "by saying." It universally introduces direct speech, serving as an emphatic marker for the verbatim declaration that follows.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the word of the Lord came": This recurring formula (e.g., in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Samuel, Nathan) is a classic "prophetic oracle formula" establishing the divine authority and origin of the subsequent message. It underlines that Elijah is not speaking his own opinion or insights but is merely a vessel for God's precise words. It confirms the source as reliable and absolute.
• "to Elijah the Tishbite": This phrase identifies the specific individual chosen by God to receive and deliver His message. The repetition of his full title underscores his prophetic office and validates him as God's trusted messenger, particularly after his bold confrontations with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. It grounds the supernatural event in historical reality.
• "saying": This simple yet crucial term directly connects the authoritative divine voice to the explicit words that immediately follow, indicating that what is about to be spoken is a direct revelation from the Almighty.

1 Kings 21 28 Bonus section

The emphasis on "the word of the Lord" highlights a crucial distinction in the ancient Near East: while pagan cultures consulted various divination methods and oracles, the God of Israel spoke directly, personally, and audibly to His chosen servants, whose names often embodied His essence (like Elijah, "My God is Yahweh"). This directly contrasts the silence or ambiguous pronouncements of idols like Baal, validating the authenticity and living power of Israel's God. Ahab's "repentance" was unusual for such a wicked king. While perhaps born more out of fear of divine punishment than true heartfelt turning, God acknowledged it by deferring the full extent of the calamity, particularly upon Ahab himself. This teaches us about the surprising depth of divine patience and responsiveness to any sincere, albeit limited, display of humility.

1 Kings 21 28 Commentary

This short verse serves as the immediate precursor to God's revised decree concerning Ahab and his family. It powerfully reinforces the doctrine of God's active involvement in human affairs and His responsiveness to acts of repentance, however partial or fear-driven they might be. Following Ahab's humbling act in response to previous judgment, God demonstrates His divine character which encompasses both justice for sin and grace for turning. It shows that while sin has consequences, the Almighty God does not always execute judgment without measure, revealing His profound compassion. Elijah is consistently shown as the steadfast channel of Yahweh's messages, both of doom and of conditional mercy, emphasizing that a prophet's role involves delivering the entirety of God's word, even when it shifts in response to human actions.