1 Kings 14:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah, too, does evil, provoking the LORD to jealousy with sins surpassing even their fathers'.
What Does 1 Kings 14:22 Mean?
The southern kingdom proves no better than the north. Judah does evil in God's sight and provokes Him to jealousy with sins exceeding even those of their ancestors.
God's jealousy here is not petty envy but the wounded love of One who has bound Himself to His people in covenant, like a faithful spouse grieved by betrayal. Idolatry is spiritual unfaithfulness, and it stirs the heart of a God who loves deeply. That His anger is the flip side of His love is itself a comfort; He is not indifferent to His people. He longs for the exclusive devotion of those He has claimed, because only in returning to Him do they find their life.
1 Kings 14:22 in the Original Language
qanah (קָנָא), 'jealousy' -- the zealous, covenant love of God for His people, grieved by their unfaithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 14:22
What does 1 Kings 14:22 mean?
Judah, too, does evil, provoking the LORD to jealousy with sins surpassing even their fathers'.