1 Kings 13:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophet gives an immediate sign to confirm his words: the altar will be split apart and its ashes spilled out that very day.
What Does 1 Kings 13:3 Mean?
Because the great prophecy about Josiah lay far in the future, the man of God gives a sign that can be tested at once. The cracking of the altar and the spilling of its ashes will vouch, then and there, for the longer word still to come.
God is gracious to give confirmation. The near sign secures faith in the distant promise; the small fulfillment becomes a pledge of the larger one. So the LORD often gives us a taste of His faithfulness now, that we might trust Him for what we cannot yet see.
1 Kings 13:3 in the Original Language
rent (קָרַע, qara) -- to tear or rip apart, the same verb used when a garment is torn in grief.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 13:3
What does 1 Kings 13:3 mean?
The prophet gives an immediate sign to confirm his words: the altar will be split apart and its ashes spilled out that very day.