1 Kings 13:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he gave {H5414} a sign {H4159} the same day {H3117}, saying {H559}, This is the sign {H4159} which the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696}; Behold, the altar {H4196} shall be rent {H7167}, and the ashes {H1880} that are upon it shall be poured out {H8210}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That same day he also gave a sign: "Here is the sign which ADONAI has decreed: "'The altar will be split apart; the ashes on it will be scattered about.'"

Berean Standard Bible

That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”

American Standard Version

And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which Jehovah hath spoken: Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 13:3 records the immediate and dramatic divine confirmation of the man of God's prophecy against Jeroboam's illegitimate altar at Bethel. On the very day the prophecy was delivered, God provided an undeniable physical sign—the rending of the altar and the pouring out of its ashes—to authenticate His messenger and message, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over human rebellion and His unwavering judgment against idolatry. This swift, visible act served as a powerful testament to the veracity of God's word and a stark warning to Jeroboam and the people of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic, immediate validation of a divinely commissioned prophecy. It immediately follows the bold declaration by an unnamed man of God from Judah, who, sent by the LORD, confronted King Jeroboam at his newly established idolatrous altar in Bethel ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1-kings/13-1-2 "1 Kings 13:1-2 - Prophecy Against Jeroboam's Altar")). The prophet's message was a long-range prediction concerning King Josiah, who would desecrate this very altar centuries later. However, to authenticate this future prophecy, an immediate sign was required. When Jeroboam defiantly stretched out his hand to seize the prophet, his hand withered, and simultaneously, the altar itself began to split. Verse 3 explicitly states the verbal declaration of this immediate sign, which is then swiftly and visibly fulfilled in the subsequent verses ([1 Kings 13:4-5](/1-kings/13-4-5 "1 Kings 13:4-5 - Immediate Fulfillment of the Sign")). The rapid succession of prophecy, defiance, and immediate divine response underscores the gravity of the situation and God's active involvement.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the nascent Northern Kingdom of Israel, recently separated from Judah. Jeroboam, its first king, established alternative worship sites at Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves, to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship, thereby consolidating his political power ([1 Kings 12:26-30](/1-kings/12-26-30 "1 Kings 12:26-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatrous Innovations")). This act was a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which commanded centralized worship at Jerusalem. Altars in the ancient Near East were considered sacred, serving as the focal point for communion with deities through sacrifice. For an altar to be "rent" (violently torn apart) and its "ashes... poured out" was not merely damage; it was a profound act of desecration and nullification, rendering the altar ritually impure and unusable. This public humiliation of Jeroboam's religious center was a direct affront to his authority and a powerful declaration of God's judgment against his illegitimate religious system. The man of God's journey from Judah to Bethel also highlights the deep theological and political schism between the two kingdoms.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully articulates several core themes. Primarily, it emphasizes the **Divine Authentication of Prophecy**, demonstrating that God validates His spoken word with immediate, tangible, and verifiable proof, leaving no doubt as to its divine origin. This immediate sign served to confirm the long-term prophecy about Josiah, as later fulfilled in [2 Kings 23:15-16](/2-kings/23-15-16 "2 Kings 23:15-16 - Josiah's Fulfillment of Prophecy"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Unwavering Judgment Against Idolatry and Disobedience**. The rending of the altar signifies God's absolute rejection of Jeroboam's religious innovations and the false worship they represented. God will not tolerate rivals to His exclusive worship. Thirdly, the narrative underscores **God's Ultimate Sovereignty and Authority** over human rulers, institutions, and even physical objects. Jeroboam's power was rendered impotent against God's will, proving that no human scheme can thwart divine purpose. Finally, the immediate sign functions as a **Warning and Opportunity for Repentance**, offering Jeroboam and the people a clear, dramatic chance to turn from their sin before the full, long-term judgment against the altar and his dynasty comes to pass ([1 Kings 14:7-11](/1-kings/14-7-11 "1 Kings 14:7-11 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam's House")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sign (Hebrew, _môwphêth'_):** From H4159, this term refers to a miracle, token, or omen that serves as a divine attestation or confirmation. In this context, it is not merely a prediction but an immediate, observable event designed to authenticate the prophet's message and demonstrate God's active involvement. It functions as a powerful, undeniable proof that the words spoken by the man of God are indeed from the LORD, making God's presence and power conspicuously evident.
* **Rent (Hebrew, _qâraʻ'_):** From H7167, this verb signifies a violent tearing, splitting, or rending apart. It implies a sudden, forceful, and decisive breaking, not a gradual decay or collapse. The use of _qâraʻ_ emphasizes the dramatic, supernatural nature of the altar's destruction, highlighting God's direct and forceful intervention to dismantle the symbol of Jeroboam's rebellion and the foundation of his false worship.
* **Poured out (Hebrew, _shâphak'_):** From H8210, this verb means to spill forth, cast up, or shed. In the context of ashes from an altar, it implies a scattering, disarray, or complete emptying. The ashes, which were part of the sacrificial ritual and held a certain "sacred" significance within the false worship, being "poured out" signifies their complete desecration and the nullification of the altar's function. It renders the altar unfit for any worship, even false worship, symbolizing God's utter rejection of Jeroboam's religious system and its offerings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he gave a sign the same day, saying,"**: This clause emphasizes the immediate nature of the divine confirmation. The man of God, empowered by the LORD, does not merely speak of a future event but declares a sign that will occur contemporaneously, demanding immediate attention and belief from Jeroboam and the onlookers. The phrase "the same day" highlights God's swiftness in validating His word and His readiness to respond to human defiance.
* **"This [is] the sign which the LORD hath spoken;"**: This declarative statement explicitly attributes the sign's origin to Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_). It removes any doubt that the prophet is acting on his own accord or by human power. The sign is not a random occurrence but a direct, pre-ordained act of God, designed to authenticate His message and messenger, underscoring His absolute authority (H1696, _dâbar_, "spoken").
* **"Behold, the altar shall be rent,"**: This is the core of the immediate prophecy. The command "Behold" (H559, _ʼâmar_, often used to draw attention) draws attention to the dramatic physical event about to unfold. The altar (H4196, _mizbêach_), the very centerpiece of Jeroboam's illegitimate worship, is targeted for violent destruction. Its rending signifies God's direct assault on the false religious system and its physical manifestation, demonstrating His power to dismantle what humans erect in defiance of Him.
* **"and the ashes that [are] upon it shall be poured out."**: This second part of the sign details the complete desecration of the altar. The ashes (H1880, _deshen_), remnants of sacrifices, were typically handled with ritual care. Their being "poured out" or scattered signifies a profound act of defilement, rendering the altar ritually impure and unusable. It symbolizes the complete rejection and nullification of the sacrifices offered there and, by extension, the entire idolatrous system Jeroboam had established, declaring it an abomination to the LORD.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Prophecy and Immediate Fulfillment**, where the spoken word of the prophet is instantaneously confirmed by a miraculous physical event. This serves to underscore the divine authority behind the message and the certainty of God's word. **Symbolism** is central, with the rending of the altar and the scattering of its ashes symbolizing God's violent rejection and desecration of Jeroboam's illegitimate worship system. The physical destruction mirrors the spiritual judgment, making God's displeasure undeniably clear. The narrative also uses **Divine Confirmation**, where God directly intervenes to authenticate His messenger and message, leaving no room for doubt about the source of the prophecy. Furthermore, there's an element of **Dramatic Irony** in the broader context: Jeroboam's attempt to seize the man of God results in his own hand withering, a personal sign immediately preceding the public sign against his altar, highlighting his powerlessness against God's will and the futility of opposing the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse underscores the absolute authority and veracity of God's word, demonstrating that He not only speaks but also acts decisively to confirm His pronouncements. The immediate rending of the altar and scattering of ashes served as an undeniable, public testament to God's active involvement in human affairs and His fierce opposition to idolatry and disobedience. It highlights the principle that God will not tolerate false worship or syncretism, and that human attempts to circumvent His commands, even under the guise of religious innovation, will ultimately be judged and dismantled. This event stands as a powerful reminder that God's truth is self-authenticating and that His warnings are given with the intent of leading to repentance before the full weight of His judgment falls.

* [1 Kings 13:4-5](/1-kings/13-4-5 "1 Kings 13:4-5 - Immediate Fulfillment of the Sign")
* [2 Kings 23:15-16](/2-kings/23-15-16 "2 Kings 23:15-16 - Josiah's Fulfillment of Prophecy")
* [Isaiah 44:25-26](/isaiah/44-25-26 "Isaiah 44:25-26 - God Confirms His Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The immediate and dramatic fulfillment of the sign in 1 Kings 13:3 serves as a timeless reminder of God's active presence, His unwavering commitment to His word, and His absolute intolerance for anything that usurps His rightful place in our lives. In an age where truth is often relative and spiritual authority questioned, this passage calls us to recognize that God's word is not merely advice but divine decree, carrying with it the power to bring about what it declares. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are there "altars" we have erected—idols of comfort, success, approval, or self-sufficiency—that compete with our devotion to God? Are we listening to and heeding the warnings and truths that God speaks through His Word and His Spirit, or are we, like Jeroboam, stubbornly clinging to our own ways, rationalizing our disobedience? This passage urges us to trust in God's confirmed truth and to dismantle any spiritual structures in our lives that are not aligned with His will, knowing that His judgment against false worship is certain, but so is His grace for those who repent and turn to Him in genuine faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "altars" or false sources of security and fulfillment have I erected in my own life that might need to be "rent" or dismantled by God's truth?**
* **How does the immediate fulfillment of this sign strengthen my faith in the certainty and power of God's promises and warnings in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise God's truth for personal convenience or societal acceptance, similar to Jeroboam's motivations?**
* **What immediate steps can I take to align my worship and obedience more fully with God's revealed will, rather than waiting for a dramatic "sign"?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the sign given in 1 Kings 13:3?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the sign in [1 Kings 13:3](/1-kings/13-3 "1 Kings 13:3 - The Prophetic Sign") was to provide immediate, tangible, and undeniable divine confirmation for the prophecy spoken by the man of God against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel. It served as proof that the prophet's words were not his own, but truly "the sign which the LORD hath spoken." This immediate validation was crucial for establishing the prophet's authority and underscoring the seriousness of God's judgment against Jeroboam's idolatrous religious system, which was a direct affront to God's covenant with Israel. The sign was a powerful, visible demonstration of God's active involvement and His absolute sovereignty over human institutions and false worship. It also served as a stark warning, offering Jeroboam an opportunity to repent.

**What is the symbolic significance of the altar being "rent" and the ashes "poured out"?**

Answer: The "rending" of the altar signifies a violent, supernatural destruction, symbolizing God's forceful and decisive judgment against Jeroboam's illegitimate worship. It represents the tearing apart and dismantling of a system that God did not authorize and actively condemned. This physical destruction makes plain God's rejection of Jeroboam's religious innovations. The "ashes... poured out" or scattered from the altar further emphasize desecration and nullification. Ashes were remnants of sacrifices, part of the ritual, and their scattering rendered the altar ritually impure and unusable. This act symbolized God's utter rejection of the sacrifices offered there and, by extension, the entire idolatrous religious system Jeroboam had established. It declared the altar and its practices to be an abomination, unfit for any form of worship, and ultimately doomed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic rending of Jeroboam's altar in [1 Kings 13:3](/1-kings/13-3 "1 Kings 13:3 - The Prophetic Sign"), a direct act of divine judgment against false worship and human-devised religion, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the prophet's word was confirmed by an immediate physical sign, so too was Jesus' divine authority confirmed by His numerous miracles ([John 10:37-38](/john/10-37-38 "John 10:37-38 - Works as Witness")) and, supremely, by His resurrection from the dead ([John 2:18-22](/john/2-18-22 "John 2:18-22 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). Jesus, the true Prophet and the ultimate High Priest, confronted and exposed all forms of false worship and religious hypocrisy, most notably in His cleansing of the temple, declaring it a "den of robbers" and asserting His divine authority over the very center of Israelite worship ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). The rending of Jeroboam's altar foreshadows the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom at the moment of Christ's death ([Mark 15:38](/mark/15-38 "Mark 15:38 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying the complete dismantling of the old covenant sacrificial system and the opening of direct, unhindered access to God through Christ's perfect and final sacrifice. Jesus Himself became the ultimate "altar" and "sacrifice," making all other altars and offerings obsolete and establishing a new covenant of grace ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, the judgment against Jeroboam's altar points forward to Christ, who not only fulfills the prophetic role but also establishes a new, true worship, not bound by physical altars or human traditions, but offered "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

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

1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Exodus 4:3

And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

Exodus 4:5

That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

Judges 6:17

And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

John 2:18

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

Isaiah 38:22

Hezekiah also had said, What [is] the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?

Exodus 7:10

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.