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1 Kings 13:33

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After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

After {H310} this thing {H1697} Jeroboam {H3379} returned {H7725} not from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}, but made {H6213} again {H7725} of the lowest {H7098} of the people {H5971} priests {H3548} of the high places {H1116}: whosoever would {H2655}, he consecrated {H4390}{H3027} him, and he became one of the priests {H3548} of the high places {H1116}.

After this, Yarov'am did not turn back from his evil way but continued appointing cohanim for the high places from among all the people; he consecrated anyone who wanted to be a cohen of the high places.

Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places.

After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again from among all the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places.

Commentary

1 Kings 13:33 serves as a stark summary of King Jeroboam's persistent defiance against God, despite direct divine intervention and warnings. This verse follows significant events where a man of God from Judah prophesied against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel, resulting in its destruction and Jeroboam's hand being withered and then miraculously restored.

Context

The historical backdrop for 1 Kings 13 is the division of the united kingdom of Israel into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) under Jeroboam and the southern kingdom (Judah) under Rehoboam. Jeroboam, fearing his people would return to Jerusalem to worship and thus potentially reunite with Judah, established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan. He created golden calves for worship and appointed his own priests, circumventing the Levitical priesthood and the divinely ordained temple in Jerusalem.

The events of 1 Kings 13, including the powerful demonstration of God's judgment and grace, were a clear warning to Jeroboam. Yet, this verse reveals his stubborn refusal to repent, highlighting a deep-seated rebellion against the Lord's commands and a continuation of his "evil way" which led Israel into widespread idolatry and spiritual apostasy.

Key Themes

  • Stubborn Disobedience: Jeroboam's unwillingness to change his course, even after witnessing divine power, underscores the danger of hardened hearts. His actions directly contradicted God's law and prophetic warnings regarding worship and priesthood.
  • Corruption of Religious Leadership: By appointing "the lowest of the people" as priests, Jeroboam further debased the spiritual office. This was a deliberate move to consolidate his political power, prioritizing human will and convenience over divine ordination and holiness. The phrase "whosoever would, he consecrated him" emphasizes a lack of discernment and a disregard for proper qualifications for spiritual service.
  • Consequences of Apostasy: Jeroboam's persistent sin set a pattern of religious corruption for the northern kingdom that would ultimately lead to its downfall. This verse serves as a crucial point illustrating how individual choices can have profound, long-lasting national repercussions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lowest of the people" (KJV) translates from the Hebrew miqtsoth ha'am (מִקְצוֹת הָעָם). While it can broadly mean "from the ends of the people" or "from all classes of the people," in this negative context, it often implies those who were unqualified, perhaps even disreputable, or simply not of the priestly tribe of Levi. It highlights Jeroboam's disregard for God's established order for the priesthood, which was reserved for the descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi (see Numbers 3:10).

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the dangers of persistent disobedience and the temptation to create spiritual practices that suit our convenience rather than God's clear commands. For leaders, it's a cautionary tale about the responsibility of spiritual authority and the severe consequences of leading others astray through compromise or self-serving innovation. For all, it emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance when confronted with God's truth and the need to seek qualified, God-appointed leadership in spiritual matters, rather than simply "whosoever would."

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 11:15 (3 votes)

    And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

  • 2 Chronicles 13:9 (3 votes)

    Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of [other] lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, [the same] may be a priest of [them that are] no gods.

  • 1 Kings 12:31 (2 votes)

    And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

  • 1 Kings 12:33 (2 votes)

    So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

  • Judges 17:12 (2 votes)

    And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.

  • 2 Timothy 3:13 (2 votes)

    But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

  • Jeremiah 18:4 (2 votes)

    And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it].