1 Kings 13:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man of God arrives from Judah at God's command, confronting Jeroboam as the king stands at the altar he had built at Bethel.
What Does 1 Kings 13:1 Mean?
Jeroboam had set up a rival altar at Bethel to keep the northern tribes from worshiping at Jerusalem. As the king himself stands ready to burn incense, an unnamed prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah appears, sent by the word of the LORD.
God does not abandon a people to false worship without a witness. Even at the height of the king's ceremony, the LORD's word steps into the room. The man's anonymity keeps the focus where it belongs: not on the messenger, but on the One who sent him and the truth he carries.
1 Kings 13:1 in the Original Language
behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh) -- a word that arrests attention, as if to say 'look closely at what comes next.'
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 13:1
What does 1 Kings 13:1 mean?
A man of God arrives from Judah at God's command, confronting Jeroboam as the king stands at the altar he had built at Bethel.