1 Kings 13:4

KJV

And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when king {H4428} Jeroboam {H3379} heard {H8085} the saying {H1697} of the man {H376} of God {H430}, which had cried {H7121} against the altar {H4196} in Bethel {H1008}, that he put forth {H7971} his hand {H3027} from the altar {H4196}, saying {H559}, Lay hold {H8610} on him. And his hand {H3027}, which he put forth {H7971} against him, dried up {H3001}, so that he could {H3201} not pull it in again {H7725} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the king heard what the man of God said, how he denounced the altar in Beit-El, Yarov'am took his hand away from the altar and said, "Seize him!" But his hand, the one he had stretched out against him, shriveled up; so that he could not draw it back to himself.

Berean Standard Bible

Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Beth-el, that Jeroboam put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse vividly recounts the immediate and dramatic divine judgment upon King Jeroboam. As he defiantly stretched out his hand to seize the unnamed "man of God" who had prophesied against his idolatrous altar at Bethel, Jeroboam's hand instantly withered, rendering it useless and immovably fixed. This miraculous event served as an undeniable sign of God's sovereign power, His swift retribution against sacrilege and defiance, and the irrefutable validation of His prophet's divine message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a short but incredibly significant narrative in [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah"). The chapter opens with an unnamed "man of God" from Judah arriving at Bethel, specifically as King Jeroboam is performing sacrifices at his newly established idolatrous altar. The prophet delivers a bold, divinely inspired message, condemning the altar and foretelling its future desecration by a king named Josiah ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1 - The Man of God's Prophecy")). This prophecy is immediately followed by a sign: the altar splits apart and its ashes are poured out, just as the man of God had declared ([1 Kings 13:3](/1_kings/13-3 "1 Kings 13:3 - The Sign Given")). It is in response to this prophetic denunciation and the accompanying sign that Jeroboam attempts to seize the prophet, leading directly to the events of [1 Kings 13:4](/1_kings/13-4 "1 Kings 13:4 - Jeroboam's Withered Hand"). The narrative continues with Jeroboam's plea for healing and the prophet's subsequent restoration of the king's hand ([1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored")), highlighting God's mercy even in judgment, though Jeroboam's heart remained unrepentant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the division of the united kingdom of Israel after Solomon's reign, Jeroboam I became king of the northern ten tribes. Fearing that his subjects would return to Jerusalem for worship and consequently shift their allegiance back to the Davidic dynasty in Judah, Jeroboam established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan ([1 Kings 12:26-29](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-29 - Jeroboam's Idolatrous Innovation")). He set up golden calves, declared new feast days, and appointed non-Levitical priests, all in direct violation of Mosaic Law ([1 Kings 12:31-33](/1_kings/12-31 "1 Kings 12:31-33 - Jeroboam's Religious Reforms")). Bethel, a historically significant site where Jacob had encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")), was chosen by Jeroboam as a strategic religious hub, ironically turning a place of divine encounter into a center of idolatry. Jeroboam's act of reaching out to seize the prophet was a typical display of royal power and authority, intended to silence opposition and assert his control, but it was met with an immediate and supernatural counter-demonstration of God's ultimate sovereignty.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings"):
* **Divine Authority and Judgment:** The immediate withering of Jeroboam's hand serves as an undeniable manifestation of God's absolute authority over human rulers and His swift, direct judgment against idolatry and defiance. It demonstrates that God does not tolerate rebellion against His explicit commands, especially concerning true worship. This divine intervention highlights the seriousness of Jeroboam's sin, which was not merely a political maneuver but a profound spiritual transgression.
* **Vindication of the Prophetic Word:** The miraculous affliction of Jeroboam's hand instantly validates the "man of God" as a true messenger of Yahweh. The prophet's bold declaration against the altar, followed by the altar's splitting and then the king's physical incapacitation, confirms that the words spoken were not merely human pronouncements but divine decrees. This theme emphasizes the sanctity and power of God's word delivered through His chosen servants, contrasting it with the false worship established by Jeroboam.
* **Consequences of Disobedience:** Jeroboam's attempt to seize the prophet is met with an immediate, tangible, and personal consequence. This serves as a stark warning that rebellion against God's will and His anointed messengers carries severe repercussions. The physical impairment of his hand, the very instrument of his attempted oppression, symbolizes the spiritual paralysis and moral decay brought about by his idolatrous leadership and direct opposition to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man of God (Hebrew, אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, _ish ha'elohim'_):** This title is used frequently in the Old Testament to designate a prophet or a person specially chosen and empowered by God to deliver His message. It emphasizes divine appointment and authority, indicating that the individual speaks not on his own behalf but as an emissary of the Almighty. The fact that this prophet remains unnamed throughout the narrative underscores that the focus is not on the messenger, but on the divine message and the power of the God who sent him.
* **Put forth his hand (Hebrew, שָׁלַח יָדוֹ, _shalach yado'_):** This phrase describes Jeroboam's decisive action, signifying an attempt to assert his royal authority and control through force. It implies an aggressive, perhaps violent, intent to apprehend or harm the prophet who dared to challenge his authority and his religious innovations. The immediacy of God's response to this specific action highlights the sacredness of His messengers and the inviolable nature of His prophetic word.
* **Dried up (Hebrew, יָבֵשׁ, _yabesh'_):** This verb conveys a sense of sudden, complete desiccation, paralysis, or atrophy. It implies an instantaneous cessation of function, not a gradual decay. The hand became useless, stiff, and unable to move, demonstrating God's absolute power over the physical body and human will. The drying up of the hand, the very instrument of Jeroboam's defiance, is a direct, poetic, and irrefutable sign of divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel":** This clause sets the scene, highlighting Jeroboam's awareness of the prophetic denunciation. The "saying" was not merely a casual remark but a powerful, divinely ordained prophecy against the very altar at which Jeroboam was officiating, directly challenging his religious authority and his idolatrous practices. The phrase "cried against" (קָרָא עַל, _qara' al_) denotes a public, forceful, and condemnatory proclamation.
* **"that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him.":** This describes Jeroboam's immediate, hostile reaction. Incensed by the prophet's challenge and perhaps by the sign of the altar splitting, he attempts to use his royal power to silence or apprehend the messenger. His command, "Lay hold on him," is an order to his guards or attendants, demonstrating his intent to suppress the divine word through force. This action is a direct act of defiance against God's messenger and, by extension, against God Himself.
* **"And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.":** This is the dramatic climax and the divine response. The very hand Jeroboam extended in defiance and aggression instantly becomes stiff, withered, and useless. The inability to "pull it in again" emphasizes the completeness and permanence of the affliction, at least until God's mercy is sought. This immediate physical judgment serves as a powerful, undeniable sign of God's sovereignty and His direct intervention in human affairs, validating His prophet and condemning Jeroboam's sin.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [1 Kings 13:4](/1_kings/13-4 "1 Kings 13:4 - Jeroboam's Withered Hand") employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Retribution** is the most prominent, as God's immediate and physical judgment upon Jeroboam's hand serves as a direct, swift punishment for the king's defiance and attempt to harm His prophet. This act is also rich in **Symbolism**: Jeroboam's withered hand, the instrument of his attempted oppression and a symbol of his royal power, becomes useless, symbolizing the impotence of human authority when it opposes divine will. It also represents the spiritual paralysis that idolatry brings. There is a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as Jeroboam's attempt to seize the prophet results in his own incapacitation, highlighting the futility of resisting God. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Foreshadowing**, as this initial judgment on Jeroboam's person hints at the broader judgment that will fall upon his entire dynasty due to his persistent sin of idolatry, as detailed later in [1 Kings 14](/1_kings/14 "1 Kings 14 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instantaneous withering of Jeroboam's hand powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His active involvement in human history, particularly in upholding His covenant and confronting idolatry. It demonstrates that God is not a distant deity but one who directly intervenes to vindicate His word and His messengers. This event serves as a tangible reminder that rebellion against divine authority, especially through the promotion of false worship, carries immediate and severe consequences. It underscores the sanctity of God's prophetic word and the danger of opposing those whom He has sent, emphasizing that an attack on His prophet is an attack on God Himself.

* [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "Exodus 8:19 - The Finger of God"): Pharaoh's magicians confess, "This is the finger of God," acknowledging divine power in the plague of gnats, paralleling the undeniable divine hand in Jeroboam's affliction.
* [Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-35 - Korah's Rebellion and Judgment"): God's immediate and dramatic judgment on Korah and his followers for their rebellion against Moses and Aaron, His appointed leaders, echoes the swift retribution against Jeroboam's defiance.
* [Acts 5:1-11](/acts/5-1 "Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias and Sapphira"): The sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit demonstrate God's immediate judgment against deceit and disrespect for His divine authority in the early church, mirroring the swiftness of Jeroboam's judgment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jeroboam's withered hand is a profound narrative that transcends its historical setting, offering timeless lessons for all who seek to understand and walk with God. It challenges us to consider the seriousness with which God views disobedience, particularly when it involves defiling His worship or opposing His truth. We are reminded that God's authority is supreme, and no human power, however great, can ultimately thwart His purposes or escape His judgment. This passage calls us to examine our own lives: are there areas where we, like Jeroboam, attempt to control spiritual matters for our own convenience or security, rather than yielding to God's revealed will? Do we truly respect and honor God's word, whether it comes through Scripture, faithful preaching, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit? The swiftness of Jeroboam's judgment should instill in us a healthy fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but a profound reverence that motivates us to humble obedience and sincere worship, recognizing that God is holy and will not be mocked.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, be tempted to "put forth our hand" against God's truth or His messengers, perhaps through cynicism, dismissal, or active opposition?**
* **How does the instantaneous nature of God's judgment in this passage challenge our often-gradual understanding of consequences for sin?**
* **What "altars" of false worship or misplaced allegiance might we be building in our own lives, and how does this story call us to dismantle them?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper reverence for God's word and His authority, ensuring that our lives are marked by humble submission rather than defiant self-will?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jeroboam's hand specifically withered, and what is the significance of this particular judgment?**

Answer: Jeroboam's hand was withered because it was the instrument of his defiance and attempted aggression against God's prophet. He "put forth his hand" to seize the man of God, and it was that very hand that was struck. This specific judgment is highly significant for several reasons: it was immediate, demonstrating God's swift and personal intervention; it was poetic, turning the instrument of his sin into the evidence of his punishment; and it was undeniable, a visible and incapacitating affliction that publicly validated the prophet's message and God's power. It served as a clear warning that God would not tolerate rebellion against His word or His messengers, directly targeting the king's physical capacity to rule or enforce his will, thus symbolizing the impotence of human power when it opposes divine authority. This mirrored the splitting of the altar, another direct and undeniable sign from God, as recorded in [1 Kings 13:3](/1_kings/13-3 "1 Kings 13:3 - The Sign of the Altar").

**What is the significance of the "man of God" being unnamed in this account?**

Answer: The anonymity of the "man of God" is a deliberate literary and theological choice that shifts the focus from the messenger to the message and the Sender. By not naming the prophet, the narrative emphasizes that the power and authority behind the prophecy and the subsequent judgment belong entirely to God, not to any human agent. The prophet is merely a vessel, a "man of God," whose identity is subsumed by his divine commission. This reinforces the theme of God's sovereign control and His ability to use anyone He chooses to deliver His word, highlighting that it is God's word that carries inherent power and vindication, as seen in the immediate fulfillment of the sign in [1 Kings 13:3](/1_kings/13-3 "1 Kings 13:3 - The Altar Splits Apart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic account of Jeroboam's withered hand, a direct and immediate divine judgment on rebellion and idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeroboam's sin was a profound act of spiritual rebellion, setting up false worship in defiance of God's explicit commands, leading to a physical consequence that mirrored his spiritual state. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "man of God," not merely a prophet, but God incarnate ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He came not to condemn altars, but to be the definitive altar and the perfect sacrifice, taking upon Himself the judgment for all human rebellion and idolatry ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice")). While Jeroboam's hand withered as a sign of judgment, Christ's hands were pierced on the cross, bearing the curse and the full weight of God's wrath against sin, so that humanity might be healed and restored ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). The instantaneous judgment on Jeroboam foreshadows the certainty of God's final judgment, but Christ's redemptive work offers a way of escape from that judgment through faith in Him ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He is the true King whose authority is never challenged, and His perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Jeroboam's defiant disobedience, ultimately inaugurating a kingdom where true worship in spirit and truth is possible for all who believe ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")).

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

Revelation 11:5

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

2 Chronicles 18:25

Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

2 Chronicles 18:27

And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, [then] hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

Acts 13:8

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Acts 13:11

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

2 Chronicles 25:15

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

2 Chronicles 25:16

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.