1 Kings 21:3
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
And Naboth {H5022} said {H559} to Ahab {H256}, The LORD {H3068} forbid {H2486} it me, that I should give {H5414} the inheritance {H5159} of my fathers {H1} unto thee.
But Navot said to Ach'av, "ADONAI forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage!"
But Naboth replied, โThe LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.โ
And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
Cross-References
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Leviticus 25:23 (8 votes)
ยถ The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land [is] mine; for ye [are] strangers and sojourners with me. -
Numbers 36:7 (8 votes)
So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. -
Ezekiel 46:18 (7 votes)
Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; [but] he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession. -
Romans 6:15 (3 votes)
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. -
Romans 7:13 (2 votes)
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. -
Romans 7:7 (2 votes)
ยถ What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. -
Genesis 44:17 (2 votes)
And he said, God forbid that I should do so: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
Commentary
Context of 1 Kings 21:3
This verse is central to the tragic narrative of Naboth's vineyard, illustrating a pivotal moment in the reign of King Ahab of Israel. Ahab, residing in his palace at Jezreel, coveted a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite, conveniently located next to the royal property. Ahab offered to buy it or exchange it for a better vineyard, but Naboth's response, "The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee," reveals a deep-seated adherence to Israelite law and tradition.
Under the Mosaic Law, land within Israel was considered a perpetual inheritance, divided among families and tribes as a gift from God. It was not to be sold permanently, as God Himself declared ownership of the land (Leviticus 25:23). While temporary leases were permitted, permanently alienating family land was strictly forbidden and seen as dishonoring God's covenant. Naboth's refusal was therefore not a personal slight to the king, but a faithful act of obedience to divine command, highlighting the clash between royal prerogative and established religious law.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "The LORD forbid it me" (KJV) is a powerful expression in Hebrew: chalilah li Yahweh (ืึธืึดืืึธื ืึดื ืึฐืืึธื). This translates literally as "Far be it from me, O LORD!" or "God forbid!" It is a strong declaration of moral or religious impossibility, indicating an absolute rejection based on a deep reverence for God's law and a clear understanding that such an action would be a grave offense against Him. It emphasizes Naboth's conviction that giving up his ancestral inheritance would be an act of disloyalty to God Himself.
Practical Application
The story of Naboth's vineyard carries timeless lessons for believers today:
Naboth's refusal, though it cost him his life, stands as a testament to faithfulness and integrity in the face of immense pressure. This pivotal moment set the stage for Queen Jezebel's wicked plot (1 Kings 21:7) and ultimately, the downfall of Ahab's dynasty.
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