King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:
Complete Jewish Bible:
In the letters she wrote, "Proclaim a fast, and give Navot the seat of honor among the people.
Berean Standard Bible:
In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
American Standard Version:
And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And she wrote{H3789} in the letters{H5612}, saying{H559}, Proclaim{H7121} a fast{H6685}, and set{H3427} Naboth{H5022} on high{H7218} among the people{H5971}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 23:13
- ¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Genesis 34:13
- And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Genesis 34:17
- But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
Luke 20:47
- Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Matthew 2:8
- And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found [him], bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Isaiah 58:4
- Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
John 18:28
- ¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
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Commentary for 1 Kings 21:9
1 Kings 21:9 is a part of the narrative concerning King Ahab of Israel and his desire to acquire the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. The historical context of this verse is set during the period of the Divided Monarchy, when the kingdom of Israel was ruled by the Omride dynasty, known for its promotion of Baal worship.
In this verse, Queen Jezebel, Ahab's Phoenician wife, is taking action to seize Naboth's vineyard, which is situated near the palace. Naboth has refused to sell or exchange his ancestral inheritance to Ahab, citing it as a gift from the Lord. Frustrated by Naboth's piety and adherence to the law, which protected inheritance rights (Leviticus 25:23-28), Jezebel conspires to have him falsely accused of blasphemy and treason—crimes punishable by death.
The verse itself captures Jezebel's scheme as she writes letters in Ahab's name, instructing the officials of Jezreel to proclaim a fast. This fast would give the appearance of a solemn, religious assembly. During this event, Naboth is to be seated in a prominent place among the people, only to be abruptly accused by two "worthless men" of cursing God and the king. The strategic placement of Naboth ensures that his sudden fall from grace would be public and exemplary, deterring others from similarly defying the king.
The themes present in this verse include the abuse of power, religious hypocrisy, and the sanctity of personal property as outlined in Israelite law. Jezebel's actions demonstrate a flagrant disregard for justice and righteousness, as she manipulates religious practices for her own ends. This event underscores the moral decay in the northern kingdom of Israel and sets the stage for the eventual downfall of Ahab's dynasty, as prophesied by Elijah. The story serves as a stark warning against the corruption of leaders and the dangers of syncretism, where religious practices are distorted to serve political ambitions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3789
There are 212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּתַב
Transliteration: kâthab
Pronunciation: kaw-thab'
Description: a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten). - Strong's Number: H5612
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֵפֶר
Transliteration: çêpher
Pronunciation: say'-fer
Description: or (feminine) סִפְרָה; (Psalm 56:8 (אֲבֵדָה)), from סָפַר; properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book; bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H6685
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צוֹם
Transliteration: tsôwm
Pronunciation: tsome
Description: or צֹם; from צוּם; a fast; fast(-ing). - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H5022
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבוֹת
Transliteration: Nâbôwth
Pronunciation: naw-both'
Description: feminine plural from the same as נֹב; fruits; Naboth, an Israelite; Naboth. - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.