1 Kings 13:5

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

The altar {H4196} also was rent {H7167}, and the ashes {H1880} poured out {H8210} from the altar {H4196}, according to the sign {H4159} which the man {H376} of God {H430} had given {H5414} by the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

Also the altar was split apart, and the ashes scattered from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of ADONAI.

And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Kings 13:5 KJV Commentary: The Altar's Rend and Divine Validation

1 Kings 13:5 describes the immediate and dramatic fulfillment of a prophetic sign given to King Jeroboam of Israel, serving as undeniable proof of God's word. The verse reads: "The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD." This event powerfully underscores God's authority over human institutions and His judgment on idolatry.

Context

This pivotal moment occurs in the early days of the divided kingdom. King Jeroboam I, fearing that his people would return their allegiance to the house of David if they continued to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, established rival centers of worship at Bethel and Dan. He set up golden calves and appointed non-Levitical priests, an egregious act of apostasy against the LORD (see 1 Kings 12:26-33). While Jeroboam was offering incense at the altar in Bethel, an unnamed "man of God" (a prophet) from Judah suddenly appeared. This prophet cried out against the altar, prophesying its future defilement by a king named Josiah (a prophecy fulfilled centuries later, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:15). As an immediate sign that his words were from the LORD, the prophet declared that the altar would be torn apart and its ashes poured out (as prophesied in 1 Kings 13:3). Jeroboam's attempt to seize the prophet resulted in his hand withering, and simultaneously, the altar itself was miraculously rent, and its contents spilled forth, confirming the divine origin of the prophet's message.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Prophetic Fulfillment: The immediate physical destruction of the altar demonstrates God's absolute power and the certainty of His spoken word. What God declares, He brings to pass.
  • Judgment on Idolatry: The rending of the altar is a direct sign of God's displeasure with Jeroboam's idolatrous worship and the false religious system he instituted. It symbolizes the breaking down of man-made religion in the face of divine truth.
  • Validation of God's Messenger: The miraculous event provided undeniable proof that the "man of God" was truly speaking "by the word of the LORD," silencing any doubt about his divine commission.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rent" is qara' (Χ§ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ’), meaning "to tear, rend, split." It emphasizes a violent and complete separation, signifying the altar's irreparable damage. The phrase "man of God" ('ish ha'elohim) is a common designation for a prophet or divine messenger in the Old Testament, underscoring that the prophet's authority came not from himself but from God. The repeated emphasis on "the word of the LORD" highlights the divine origin and infallible nature of the prophecy, setting it apart from mere human prediction.

Significance and Application

1 Kings 13:5 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Word is True and Powerful: This verse beautifully illustrates the reliability of God's promises and warnings. Just as the altar was rent exactly as prophesied, so too will all of God's words come to pass (compare Isaiah 55:11). It encourages trust in His revealed will.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Jeroboam's defiance of God's commands led to severe judgment, not just for him but for his kingdom. The broken altar symbolizes the broken covenant and the futility of worship not centered on the true God. This calls believers to examine their own worship and ensure it aligns with God's will.
  • Authenticity of True Prophets: The immediate fulfillment of the sign provided clear evidence of the prophet's authenticity. In an age of competing voices, this narrative reminds us to discern those who truly speak for God by the fruit of their words and lives.

Ultimately, 1 Kings 13:5 is a striking demonstration of God's active involvement in human affairs, His intolerance for idolatry, and the unfailing nature of His divine word.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 16:20

    And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

  • 1 Kings 22:35

    And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

  • 1 Kings 13:3

    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.

  • 1 Kings 22:28

    And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

  • Deuteronomy 18:22

    When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

  • Jeremiah 28:16

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 28:17

    So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
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