1 Kings 13:2

KJV

And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he cried {H7121} against the altar {H4196} in the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, O altar {H4196}, altar {H4196}, thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Behold, a child {H1121} shall be born {H3205} unto the house {H1004} of David {H1732}, Josiah {H2977} by name {H8034}; and upon thee shall he offer {H2076} the priests {H3548} of the high places {H1116} that burn incense {H6999} upon thee, and men's {H120} bones {H6106} shall be burnt {H8313} upon thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

And by the word from ADONAI he cried out against the altar: "Altar, altar, here is what ADONAI says: 'A son will be born to the house of David; his name will be Yoshiyahu; and on you he will sacrifice the cohanim of the high places who burn incense on you! They will burn human bones on you!'"

Berean Standard Bible

And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

American Standard Version

And he cried against the altar by the word of Jehovah, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith Jehovah: Behold, a son shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he sacrifice the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall they burn upon thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 13:2 records a profound prophetic declaration by an unnamed man of God from Judah, directly confronting King Jeroboam and his idolatrous altar at Bethel. This verse precisely foretells the birth of a future king from the house of David, Josiah by name, who would centuries later desecrate this very altar by sacrificing the priests of the high places upon it and burning men's bones, thereby rendering it utterly defiled. This astonishingly specific prophecy underscores God's absolute sovereignty over history, His unwavering opposition to idolatry, and the certainty of His divine judgment, even when its fulfillment is centuries in the future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This prophecy is delivered immediately after Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, establishes new centers of worship at Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves, to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship (as detailed in [1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Sin and Idolatry")). Jeroboam's actions are a direct violation of the Mosaic Law and a profound act of rebellion against Yahweh. The unnamed man of God from Judah appears suddenly, just as Jeroboam is about to offer incense on the altar at Bethel. The man of God's message is not merely a warning but a direct, divinely-ordained confrontation against the king's sin and the idolatrous system he instituted, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow in [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God and Jeroboam").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the newly divided kingdom of Israel, following the reign of Solomon. Jeroboam's establishment of alternative worship sites was a politically motivated move to consolidate his power and prevent the northern tribes from reuniting with Judah. Bethel, a historically significant site where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Ladder at Bethel")), was now corrupted into a center of idolatry. The "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*) were elevated cultic sites, often associated with Canaanite fertility religions, which Israel was commanded to destroy but instead adopted and adapted for their own syncretistic worship. The act of burning bones, particularly human bones, on an altar was the ultimate act of desecration in ancient Near Eastern cultures, rendering the altar ritually impure and unfit for any sacred use, thus symbolizing God's utter rejection of the false worship conducted there.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Kings"): **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, demonstrating God's absolute control over history and His ability to declare future events with precise detail centuries in advance, even naming individuals like [Josiah](/2_kings/23-15 "2 Kings 23:15 - Josiah's Fulfillment at Bethel"). It highlights God's **Unwavering Opposition to Idolatry** and the severe consequences for those who lead His people astray, as Jeroboam's actions set a pattern of sin that would plague the Northern Kingdom for generations ([1 Kings 14:16](/1_kings/14-16 "1 Kings 14:16 - Jeroboam's Sinful Legacy")). Furthermore, it underscores the **Reliability and Authority of God's Word**, as this prophecy is meticulously fulfilled nearly three centuries later in [2 Kings 23:15-16](/2_kings/23-15 "2 Kings 23:15-16 - Josiah's Destruction of the Altar at Bethel"), serving as a testament to the truthfulness of divine revelation and the certainty of God's judgment and promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altar (Hebrew, _mizbeach'_):** The repetition "O altar, altar" is a powerful rhetorical device, an emphatic direct address to the very object of idolatry and rebellion. It signifies that the altar itself, the symbol and instrument of Jeroboam's sin, is the target of God's judgment. This is not merely a place but a focal point of defiance against Yahweh, thus deserving of a direct, almost personal, condemnation.
* **Thus saith the LORD (Hebrew, _koh amar YHWH'_):** This is the quintessential prophetic formula, appearing hundreds of times in the Old Testament. It unequivocally establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. The man of God is not speaking his own words or opinions, but serving as a direct mouthpiece for Yahweh, lending immense weight and certainty to the prophecy that follows.
* **Josiah (Hebrew, _Yoshiyahu'_):** Meaning "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals," the naming of Josiah nearly three centuries before his birth is an extraordinary detail that highlights God's meticulous foreknowledge and sovereign control over human history. It removes any doubt that this is a divinely orchestrated event, not a mere human prediction. The name itself may subtly foreshadow the restoration and purification Josiah would bring to Judah's worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine source and authoritative nature of the man of God's message. He is not speaking on his own initiative but as a conduit for Yahweh's direct pronouncement. The act of "crying against" signifies a strong, public denunciation and a prophetic declaration of judgment.
* **"and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD;":** The emphatic, repeated address to the "altar" underscores its symbolic significance as the epicenter of Jeroboam's idolatry. The subsequent "thus saith the LORD" reinforces that the following prophecy is an unalterable divine decree, leaving no room for human doubt or resistance.
* **"Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name;":** This is the astonishing core of the prophecy. It specifies the lineage ("house of David"), the future birth of a child, and even his exact name ("Josiah") centuries before his existence. This level of detail is a hallmark of true divine prophecy, demonstrating God's complete foreknowledge and His active involvement in the unfolding of history, particularly concerning His covenant with David.
* **"and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee,":** This clause details the specific act of desecration. Josiah would not merely destroy the altar but would ritually pollute it by sacrificing the idolatrous priests who served at the high places upon it. This act is a direct reversal of their sacrilegious worship, turning their place of sin into a place of judgment and purification.
* **"and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.":** This final detail signifies the ultimate defilement. Burning human bones on an altar rendered it utterly unclean and unusable for any form of worship, even false worship. This act ensures that the altar, which was the focal point of Jeroboam's rebellion, would be permanently rendered an abomination, symbolizing God's complete rejection of the idolatry it represented.

#### Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, specifically **Predictive Prophecy**, with the astonishing detail of naming Josiah centuries before his birth, serving as irrefutable proof of divine authorship and sovereignty. The **Repetition** of "O altar, altar" is a powerful form of **Emphasis** and **Direct Address**, drawing the reader's attention to the object of God's wrath and making the judgment intensely personal for the idolatrous structure itself. There is also profound **Symbolism** at play: the altar, intended for worship, becomes a symbol of rebellion, and its desecration symbolizes God's absolute rejection of false worship. The burning of bones on the altar is a symbolic act of ultimate **Defilement** and **Judgment**, rendering the site ritually impure and unfit for any sacred purpose. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** is present: the very place where Jeroboam sought to establish his kingdom's religious legitimacy becomes the site of its future condemnation and desecration by a king from the rival house of David.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prophecy in 1 Kings 13:2 stands as a monumental testament to God's absolute sovereignty, His meticulous foreknowledge, and His unwavering commitment to holiness and justice. It reveals that God is not merely reactive to human sin but has a predetermined plan that unfolds across centuries, demonstrating His control over all of history, including the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms. This passage underscores the gravity of idolatry, revealing God's deep abhorrence for anything that usurps His rightful place in human hearts and worship. The precise fulfillment of this prophecy centuries later serves as an enduring validation of the reliability of God's Word, assuring believers that His warnings are certain and His promises are true, even when their realization seems distant.

* [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a True Prophet")
* [2 Kings 23:15-16](/2_kings/23-15 "2 Kings 23:15-16 - Josiah's Fulfillment at Bethel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient prophecy holds profound contemporary relevance. It reminds us that God is not confined by our timelines or expectations; His plans unfold according to His perfect will, often over generations. In a world that often values immediate gratification and visible results, 1 Kings 13:2 calls us to a long-term faith, trusting that God's justice will ultimately prevail and His word will be fulfilled. It also serves as a stark warning against idolatry in all its forms. While we may not erect golden calves, anything that displaces God from the supreme position in our lives—be it career, wealth, relationships, comfort, or even good causes pursued without God—becomes an idol. This passage challenges us to examine our hearts, identify our true objects of worship, and repent of any allegiance that competes with our devotion to the one true God. It encourages us to live with a profound reverence for God's holiness and a deep conviction in the certainty of His word, knowing that He sees all, judges righteously, and will bring every deed into account.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise, long-term fulfillment of this prophecy impact your trust in God's faithfulness and the reliability of His Word?**
* **What "altars" or objects of misplaced devotion might exist in your own life today, subtly or overtly competing for God's rightful place?**
* **Considering God's patience but ultimate judgment, how should this passage shape your perspective on justice and the consequences of sin in the world around you?**
* **What does this passage teach you about the importance of discerning and obeying God's authoritative word, even when it is unpopular or challenging?**

### FAQ

**Why was the prophecy so specific, even naming Josiah?**

Answer: The extreme specificity of the prophecy, including the name "Josiah" and the "house of David," serves several crucial purposes. First, it unequivocally demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge, proving that He is outside of time and controls all of history, even the naming of future kings centuries in advance. This removes any possibility of the prophecy being a lucky guess or a human fabrication. Second, it validates the authority of the unnamed man of God as a true prophet of Yahweh, as the fulfillment would later confirm his divine commission. Third, it highlights the seriousness of Jeroboam's sin and the depth of God's opposition to idolatry, showing that God had a long-term plan to deal with this rebellion. The naming of Josiah also connects the judgment of the Northern Kingdom's idolatry back to the Davidic covenant, emphasizing that true kingship and worship are tied to God's chosen lineage and His commands, as seen in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant").

**What was the significance of burning bones on the altar?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern cultures, the burning of human bones on an altar was an act of profound and irreversible desecration. According to Mosaic Law, contact with a dead body rendered a person ritually unclean ([Numbers 19:11](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11 - Uncleanness from a Dead Body")). To burn human bones, especially those of idolatrous priests, on an altar would render that altar utterly defiled and unfit for any sacred use, even for false worship. This act symbolized God's complete rejection of the idolatry practiced there and ensured that the site would be permanently polluted, preventing its future use for any religious purpose. It was a powerful visual and ritual statement of God's judgment against the high places and the priests who served them, as fulfilled by [King Josiah in 2 Kings 23:15-16](/2_kings/23-15 "2 Kings 23:15-16 - Josiah's Desecration of the Altar").

**Who was the "man of God" in this passage?**

Answer: The "man of God" in 1 Kings 13 is deliberately left unnamed. This anonymity emphasizes that the message's authority comes solely from God, not from the prophet's personal status or identity. His role is simply to be a faithful messenger of Yahweh's word. While he is a powerful instrument of divine revelation and judgment, his subsequent disobedience later in the chapter ([1 Kings 13:11-26](/1_kings/13-11 "1 Kings 13:11-26 - The Disobedient Prophet")) serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that even those who speak for God are still accountable to His commands and can fall short. The focus remains on the divine message and its ultimate fulfillment, rather than on the messenger himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophecy in 1 Kings 13:2, with its astonishing precision and long-term fulfillment, points profoundly to Christ in several ways. First, God's sovereign control over history, evidenced by His naming Josiah centuries in advance, finds its ultimate expression in the pre-ordained coming of Jesus Christ. Just as Josiah was born into the "house of David" to bring judgment and purification, so too was Jesus born of the [line of David](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Jesus, Son of David") as the ultimate King and purifier. His birth, life, death, and resurrection were not accidental but part of God's eternal plan, "foreknown before the foundation of the world" ([1 Peter 1:20](/1_peter/1-20 "1 Peter 1:20 - Christ Foreknown")). Second, the judgment against idolatry foreshadows Christ's work. The desecration of the altar at Bethel, a symbol of false worship, points to Christ's definitive victory over all forms of spiritual idolatry and sin. He is the one who cleanses the temple, not just physically but spiritually, by offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice, rendering all other sacrifices and altars obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")) symbolically signifies the end of the old covenant's sacrificial system and the opening of direct access to God through Christ's broken body, the ultimate "altar" upon which the true Lamb of God was offered ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the judgment enacted by Josiah on a physical altar finds its spiritual and eternal fulfillment in Christ, who perfectly purifies and establishes a new covenant of true worship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 36:1

¶ Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:

2 Kings 22:1

¶ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.

2 Kings 22:2

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

2 Kings 23:15

Moreover the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.

2 Kings 23:18

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.

1 Kings 13:32

For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which [are] in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

Jeremiah 22:29

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.