Naboth's Vineyard: Ahab and Jezebel's Crime and Punishment
1 Kings 21:1-29
1 K.21.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחר: PREP
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לנבות: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ביזרעאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצל: PREP
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The 'song of the vineyard' uses vineyard imagery for Israel and pronounces judgment for failure and injustice—parallels the Naboth episode's vineyard as focal point of covenantal/ethical failure.
- Matthew 21:33-41 (see also Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19) (structural): The parable of the wicked tenants features an owner, a vineyard, and violent seizure/killing of the owner's representatives (and son); structurally and thematically it echoes Naboth's murder and the seizure of his vineyard.
- Exodus 20:17 (thematic): The commandment 'You shall not covet...' directly addresses coveting a neighbor's house or field—the moral breach at the heart of Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard.
- Deuteronomy 19:14 (thematic): The law forbidding moving a neighbor's boundary marks/stealing land stands against illicit appropriation of property and relates to the wrongful attempt to seize Naboth's vineyard.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass after these things, there was a vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which was in Jezreel, beside the house of Ahab king of Samaria.
- And after these things there was a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite, which was in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
1 K.21.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- נבות: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- תנה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כרמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירק: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אצל: PREP
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- אתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 21:33-41 (thematic): Parable of the wicked tenants: landowner’s vineyard abused by tenants who seize and kill his servants and son—shares theme of a vineyard as property and the violent/illegitimate appropriation of what belongs to another.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The 'Song of the Vineyard' uses vineyard imagery to represent Israel and the owner’s rights and expectations; thematically related to ownership, stewardship, and judicial condemnation of those who fail to respect the vineyard.
- Jeremiah 32:6-15 (structural): Jeremiah’s public purchase of a field (legal deed witnessed and preserved) contrasts with Naboth’s refusal to sell ancestral land and highlights Israelite laws and prophetic acts concerning land, inheritance, and legitimacy of transactions.
- Micah 2:2-3 (thematic): Prophetic condemnation of those who covet and seize fields and houses—directly parallels Ahab’s attempt to obtain Naboth’s vineyard and the broader theme of unjust appropriation of others’ inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Ahab spoke to Naboth, and said, Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near to my house; and I will give you a better vineyard than it, or if it pleases you I will give you its worth in money.
- And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; and I will give you a better vineyard for it, or, if you prefer, I will give you the money for it at its worth.”
1 K.21.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבות: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלילה: INTJ
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מיהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- אבתי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 25:23 (thematic): Affirms that land is ultimately God's and should not be permanently alienated—background for Naboth's refusal to give his ancestral inheritance to Ahab.
- Leviticus 25:29-34 (structural): Regulations on sale and redemption of property (distinguishing houses in walled cities and fields) which reflect the legal/ritual framework protecting ancestral holdings that Naboth invokes.
- Numbers 27:8-11 (thematic): Rules ensuring family inheritance remains within the clan (e.g., daughters inheriting if no sons) underscore the social-legal value of ancestral land that Naboth refuses to transfer.
- Ruth 4:3-10 (structural): Account of kinsman-redeemer transactions over ancestral land; the concern for preserving family inheritance parallels Naboth's insistence that his patrimony not be alienated.
- Jeremiah 32:7-15 (allusion): Jeremiah's purchase of a field as a prophetic sign about land and inheritance contrasts with Naboth's refusal to sell, while addressing the theological and symbolic significance of ancestral property.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid that I should give to you the inheritance of my fathers.
- But Naboth said to Ahab, “Far be it from me—may the LORD keep me!—that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.”
1 K.21.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וזעף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- נבות: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,nisba,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- אבותי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1cs
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- מטתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויסב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:3 (verbal): Immediate narrative antecedent: Naboth refuses to sell his ancestral vineyard, which directly provokes Ahab’s sullen anger and refusal to eat in v.4.
- Jonah 4:5-9 (thematic): Both Ahab and Jonah sit apart in anger after an affront (or undesired outcome) and display sulking/resentment—Jonah sits angry and God questions his right to be upset, paralleling Ahab’s sulking refusal to eat.
- Genesis 37:34-35 (thematic): Jacob’s extreme grief over Joseph—tearing clothes, long mourning and refusing comfort—resembles the posture of lament/withdrawal and refusal of normal sustenance that characterizes Ahab’s response.
- Leviticus 25:23 (structural): Legal/theological background for Naboth’s refusal: the land belongs to Yahweh and is to remain an ancestral allotment, explaining why an Israelite might refuse to sell a family inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Ahab went to his house sullen and vexed because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; and he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
- So Ahab went into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; and he lay on his bed and turned his face away and would not eat bread.
1 K.21.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- רוחך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- סרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואינך: CONJ+PART_NEG+PRON,2,m,sg
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs. 21:4 (structural): Immediate context: Ahab lies on his bed, turns away his face and eats no bread—this verse continues the same scene (same motif and narrative flow).
- 1 Sam. 20:34 (verbal): Jonathan and David: David arises from the table in distress and 'did eat no meat'—a similar phrasing and motive (refusal to eat because of grief/upset).
- Esther 4:3 (thematic): Mordecai and the Jews 'did not eat nor drink' in mourning and fasting—parallels the motif of refusing food as an expression of distress and resolve.
- Neh. 1:4 (thematic): Nehemiah mourns, fasts and prays, abstaining from food—another instance where sorrow leads to refraining from eating as a religious/expressive response.
- 2 Sam. 12:16–17 (thematic): David fasts and lies on the ground when his child is ill—illustrates the biblical pattern of fasting/refusal of food in response to intense personal calamity, akin to Ahab's sullen abstention.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?
- And Jezebel his wife came to him and said, “Why is your spirit so sullen that you do not eat?”
1 K.21.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אדבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- תנה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כרמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- חפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אתנה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,common,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כרמי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 21:3 (verbal): The immediate preceding exchange: Naboth refuses to sell the ancestral vineyard, saying he will not give his inheritance — the same refusal repeated in v.6.
- 1 Kgs 21:7 (structural): The next narrative move: Jezebel arranges false accusations and a sham trial to seize Naboth’s vineyard — directly connected to her offer and his refusal in v.6.
- Exodus 20:17 (Deut 5:21) (thematic): The commandment against coveting a neighbor’s house or field — frames Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s vineyard and the subsequent illicit attempts to acquire it.
- Micah 2:2 (thematic): Condemns those who covet fields and seize them by violence and fraud — parallels Ahab/Jezebel’s effort to take Naboth’s land by corrupt means.
- Proverbs 22:28 (thematic): “Do not remove the ancient landmark” — echoes the principle of respecting ancestral boundaries and inheritance that underlies Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he told her, I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money; and he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.
- And he told her that he had spoken to Naboth the Jezreelite and had said, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it’; and Naboth answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
1 K.21.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עתה: ADV
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- מלוכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויטב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:1-6 (verbal): Immediate precursor: Ahab desires Naboth's vineyard and asks to buy/gift it; Naboth's refusal creates the situation Jezebel addresses in v.7.
- 1 Kings 21:8-16 (structural): Immediate outcome: Jezebel arranges false witnesses, Naboth is condemned and killed, and Ahab is given the vineyard—direct fulfillment of her proposal in v.7.
- 2 Samuel 11:2-17 (thematic): Parallel case of royal abuse: David's desire for Bathsheba leads him to misuse power, arrange Uriah's death, and take what he wanted—similar pattern of a ruler securing another's possession by illicit means.
- Micah 2:1-2 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of those who covet fields and seize them by violence—a thematic critique of land-grabbing and exploitation comparable to Ahab and Jezebel's scheme.
- Jeremiah 22:13-17 (thematic): Prophetic condemnation of rulers who build themselves houses and take others' property while failing to practice justice; echoes the moral charge against Ahab and Jezebel for unjust expropriation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jezebel his wife said to him, Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be merry; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
- Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “Are you now king over Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be merry; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
1 K.21.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכתב: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- ספרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותחתם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- בחתמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- ותשלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ספרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- החרים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בעירו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- הישבים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- נבות: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Esther 3:12-13 (structural): Haman sends letters in the king's name sealed with the royal signet to provincial officials to authorize the destruction of the Jews — a direct structural parallel to letters issued (or forged) in a king's name and sealed to compel local authorities.
- Daniel 6:8-12 (thematic): A sealed royal decree is used to create a legal trap (the law preventing petition to the king), leading to punishment; thematically parallels use/abuse of written royal authority to produce injustice.
- Nehemiah 2:7-9 (structural): Nehemiah obtains letters from the king to governors and local officials securing cooperation and safe passage — a comparable instance of royal letters addressed to city-level authorities, showing the normal administrative function Jezebel exploits or imitates.
- Ezra 7:12-26 (structural): The Persian king issues a written, sealed commission granting Ezra authority and resources and instructing officials to assist him — parallels the motif of sealed royal directives sent to local administrators to be carried out.
Alternative generated candidates
- So she wrote letters in the name of Ahab and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
- So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who lived in Naboth’s city.
1 K.21.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכתב: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- בספרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- צום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והושיבו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בראש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:8 (structural): Immediate context: Jezebel composes and seals the letters in Naboth’s name and sends them to the elders—sets up the action described in v.9.
- 1 Kings 21:10–11 (structural): Parallel within the same episode: the letters summon a fast and arrange false witnesses to accuse Naboth so he can be stoned—explains the purpose of calling a fast and placing Naboth before the people.
- 2 Kings 10:4–6 (verbal): Jehu writes letters in the king’s name to summon and execute officials—similar use of written, authoritative orders to eliminate rivals by deception or command.
- Esther 3:12–13 (thematic): Haman’s decree, sealed with the king’s ring, orders the extermination of a people via official letters—analogous misuse of royal/official correspondence to bring about death.
- Nehemiah 6:5–6 (thematic): Enemies send a deceptive letter intended to lure and discredit Nehemiah—comparable tactic of using forged or duplicitous correspondence to entrap a target.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the people;
- She wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the front of the people.”
1 K.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והושיבו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויעדהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ברכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוציאהו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,pl
- וסקלהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (structural): Law requiring the testimony of two or three witnesses for one to be put to death — the legal procedure that Naboth’s accusers pervert by providing two false witnesses to secure execution.
- Deuteronomy 19:16-19 (thematic): Statute against false witnesses and prescribed punishment for bearing false testimony — contrasts the commanded remedy with the unjust manipulation of witnesses in Naboth’s case.
- Psalm 35:11 (verbal): “Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things I know not” — a poetic depiction of false witnesses rising against the innocent, similar language and theme to Naboth’s false accusers.
- Matthew 26:59-61 (thematic): Chief priests and elders produce false witnesses against Jesus to obtain a death sentence — a New Testament parallel where fabricated testimony is used to condemn an innocent person.
Alternative generated candidates
- and set two men of Belial opposite him, to bear witness against him, saying, You have cursed God and the king. Then take him out and stone him with stones, that he may die.
- And she wrote, “And set two worthless men before him to bear witness against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
1 K.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והחרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הישבים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl,def
- בעירו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suffix-3ms
- כאשר: CONJ
- שלחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- כתוב: ADJ,ptcp,pass,m,sg
- בספרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:8-10 (verbal): Immediate precursor: Jezebel composes letters and instructions to the elders and nobles—verse 21:11 refers back to these very letters and orders.
- 1 Kings 21:13-14 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the elders carry out the scheme, Naboth is stoned and Ahab takes the vineyard—shows the outcome of the compliance described in 21:11.
- 2 Kings 9:30-37 (thematic): Jezebel's violent intrigue and manipulation (exemplified in the Naboth affair) culminate in her gruesome death; thematically linked as consequence of royal violence and corruption.
- Micah 2:1-2 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of those who covet fields and use falsehood and violence to seize them; parallels the abuse of legal process and collusion of officials in Naboth’s dispossession.
- Isaiah 5:8-9 (thematic): Prophetic rebuke of elites who accumulate land and commit injustice (’Woe to those who join house to house…’); thematically resonates with Ahab and Jezebel’s seizure of Naboth’s vineyard.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did according to the letters which Jezebel had sent to them.
- And the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had instructed them according to the letters which she sent to them.
1 K.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- צום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והשיבו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נבות: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בראש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (verbal): The law requires the testimony of two or three witnesses for capital cases—what Jezebel arranges in Naboth’s indictment (two false witnesses) per 1 Kgs 21:10–12.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (verbal): Legal principle that a matter must be established by multiple witnesses contrasts with the manufactured, coerced testimony used to condemn Naboth.
- Matthew 26:59-61 (thematic): At Jesus’ trial false witnesses are produced to secure a conviction—parallels the tactic of suborning testimony against an innocent man in 1 Kings 21.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (thematic): Condemnation of a false witness and those who spread lies echoes the moral judgment implied by the narrative’s exposure of perjury and injustice.
- Psalm 35:11 (thematic): The psalmist’s complaint about malicious, lying witnesses reflects the experience of Naboth, who is accused by fabricated testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth at the head of the people.
- They proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people.
1 K.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- נגדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויעדהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הבליעל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגד: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ברך: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA,NA
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומלך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצאהו: VERB,hifil,imperfect,3,m,sg+obj:3,m,sg
- מחוץ: PREP
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויסקלהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- באבנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (structural): Law requiring the testimony of two or three witnesses for capital punishment—contrasts lawful procedure with the illicitly procured stoning of Naboth.
- Exodus 23:2 (thematic): Warning not to follow the crowd to do evil or to pervert justice—parallels the mob action and manipulation of popular opinion in Naboth’s execution.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (thematic): Zechariah son of Jehoiada is stoned after being opposed by officials—closely parallels the wrongful stoning of a righteous man at the instigation of others to silence him.
- Psalm 35:11 (verbal): Speaks of malicious false witnesses rising up against the psalmist—echoes the role of false accusers who testify against Naboth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then two men of Belial came in and sat before him; and the two men of Belial bore witness against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth has cursed God and the king. So they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, and he died.
- And the two worthless men came and sat opposite him and bore witness against him before the people, saying, ‘He has cursed God and the king.’ Then they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
1 K.21.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- סקל: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:10-13 (structural): Direct narrative precursor: false witnesses are procured to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king, providing the basis for the stoning mentioned in v.14.
- 1 Kings 21:19 (thematic): Elijah’s prophetic denunciation of Ahab and Jezebel for the murder of Naboth—connects the killing in v.14 with divine judgment pronounced on the perpetrators.
- 2 Kings 9:30-37 (thematic): The account of Jezebel’s violent death and disgrace, which functions as the eventual fulfillment of judgment for her role in Naboth’s execution.
- Deuteronomy 19:15-21 (structural): Legal background on false witnesses and the principle that those who cause another’s death by false testimony receive the punishment intended for the accused—relevant to the use of false witnesses in Naboth’s stoning.
- Psalm 35:11-19 (thematic): Poetic parallel of innocent suffering under malicious, false testimony; echoes the motif of being unjustly accused and persecuted by conspirators.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.
- They sent word to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.”
1 K.21.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- סקל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- רש: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,const
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מאן: PRON,interr
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- בכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 21:14 (verbal): Immediate context — describes the stoning and death of Naboth that Jezebel reports (same episode, same language of execution).
- Mark 12:1-9 (thematic): Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants: tenants seize a vineyard and kill the owner’s messengers/son — parallels royal abuse, seizure of a vineyard and violent removal of its rightful owner. (See also Matt 21:33-41; Luke 20:9-16.)
- Micah 2:1-2 (thematic): Condemns those who devise evil and ‘covet fields and seize them’ — echoes the motif of powerful actors taking property by unlawful or violent means as in Naboth’s case.
- Isaiah 5:8 (thematic): Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field — prophetic critique of land-grabbing and social injustice that underlies the Naboth episode.
- 2 Kgs 9:30-37 (structural): Narrative fulfillment — account of Jezebel’s violent death and prophetic retribution; thematically linked as the consequence for Jezebel’s murderous scheming to obtain Naboth’s vineyard.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Rise up, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
- When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she said to Ahab, “Get up, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”
1 K.21.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרדת: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- כרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היזרעאלי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- לרשתו: VERB,qal,inf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:1-3 (structural): The opening of the Naboth episode: introduces Naboth’s vineyard and Ahab’s desire to possess it—immediately precedes and sets up v.16.
- 1 Kings 21:17-24 (structural): Elijah’s prophetic judgment on Ahab and Jezebel for the murder and seizure of Naboth’s vineyard—direct consequence of Ahab’s action in v.16.
- 2 Samuel 11:14-17 (thematic): David’s scheming to have Uriah killed so he can take Bathsheba mirrors a royal abuse of power and orchestrated death to obtain another’s rights or property.
- Leviticus 25:23 (allusion): Law that the land is God’s and ancestral holdings must not be permanently alienated—background for Naboth’s refusal to sell his ancestral inheritance to Ahab.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
- When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth to possess it.
1 K.21.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- התשבי: NOUN,adj,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 1 Kgs. 17:2 (verbal): Same formula—"the word of the LORD came to Elijah"—introducing a divine commission (to depart and hide by the brook Cherith).
- 1 Kgs. 18:1 (verbal): Another occurrence of the formula, marking a prophetic message to Elijah (calling him to action after a period of drought); similar structural role in the narrative.
- 1 Kgs. 19:15 (thematic): God issues direct commands to Elijah (to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha); thematically parallel as a divine commissioning and judgment/transition motif.
- 1 Kgs. 21:19 (structural): Immediate continuation/fulfillment of 21:17—the content of the word given to Elijah, announcing judgment on Ahab and Jezebel; closely linked within the same prophetic utterance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
- Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
1 K.21.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- רד: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לקראת: PREP
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- בכרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- לרשתו: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:1-3 (structural): Immediate narrative background: introduces Naboth’s vineyard and Ahab’s demand to possess it—the situation to which verse 21:18 directs the prophet to go.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The “song of the vineyard” frames a vineyard as the site of injustice and divine judgment; thematically parallels Naboth’s seized vineyard and the prophetic indictment of Israel’s leaders.
- 2 Samuel 12:1-7 (thematic): Nathan’s parable condemns a powerful man who takes a poor man’s only lamb—parallels the abuse of royal power in seizing Naboth’s property and the prophetic confrontation that follows.
- Amos 2:6-7 (thematic): Condemnation of social injustice—selling the righteous and exploiting the needy—parallels the abuse of legal/processual power (false charges) used to strip Naboth of his inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
- “Go down, meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to possess it.
1 K.21.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ודברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הרצחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- ירשת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ודברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לקקו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,pl
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבות: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ילקו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- גם: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 9:36-37 (quotation): Explicit fulfillment and citation of Elijah’s oracle: those in the place where dogs licked Naboth’s blood would have their blood licked by dogs (Jezebel’s death and the identification of Elijah’s word).
- 2 Samuel 12:9-14 (thematic): Nathan’s prophecy against David for the murder of Uriah and seizing his wife—both passages feature a prophet condemning royal murder/appropriation and announcing punitive judgment on the house.
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (thematic): A covenant-curse image: corpses as food for birds and beasts parallels the motif of being left to animals (dogs) as a shameful divine punishment.
- Psalm 22:16-17 (Heb. 22:17-18) (verbal): Uses the motif of ‘dogs’ surrounding/attacking the sufferer; echoes the hostile/demeaning imagery of dogs associated with death and disgrace in the prophetic denunciation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the LORD: Have you killed and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, Thus says the LORD: In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth's blood, the dogs shall lick up your blood, even yours.
- You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: Have you murdered and also taken possession? In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall the dogs lick up your blood—yes, you.’”
1 K.21.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המצאתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- איבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss=1s
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- יען: CONJ
- התמכרך: VERB,hitpael,perf,2,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 18:17-18 (structural): Ahab earlier confronts Elijah with an accusatory question and Elijah replies by indicting Ahab and his house—parallel exchange structure and theme of the prophet exposing the king's guilt.
- 1 Kings 21:25 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel within the Naboth episode: the narrative explicitly states that Ahab 'sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD,' repeating the charge found in v.20.
- 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (thematic): Samuel's rebuke of King Saul for disobedience echoes the prophetic role here—prophet confronts the king, declares his wrongdoing, and announces consequences for failing the covenantal duties.
- 1 Kings 11:6 (verbal): Uses the common formula 'did evil in the sight of the LORD' to describe a king's wrongdoing (here Solomon); parallels the theological judgment language applied to Ahab in v.20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
- And Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.
1 K.21.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובערתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אחריך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- והכרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,ms,sg
- לאחאב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- משתין: PART,piel,ptcp,_,m,sg
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועצור: VERB,niphal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ועזוב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:19 (quotation): Immediate parallel in the same prophetic oracle — Elijah declares the same judgment (dogs licking blood) and the removal of Ahab’s descendants, forming the direct source/context for v.21.
- 2 Kings 9:26-29 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy: Ahab is mortally wounded and his blood is licked by dogs at Jezreel, echoing the doom announced in 1 Kgs 21:21.
- 2 Kings 9:30-37 (thematic): Further fulfillment scene: Jezebel is thrown from the window and her body is treated with contempt (dogs, unburied remains), illustrating the comprehensive destruction promised to Ahab’s house in 1 Kgs 21:21.
- Psalm 109:6-8 (thematic): A parallel imprecation motif — a prayer that an enemy’s days be few and another take his office, resonating with the threat to remove Ahab’s offspring and officials in v.21.
- Deuteronomy 28:20-22 (thematic): Covenantal curse language (the LORD bringing calamity, disease, defeat) parallels the formulaic prophetic threat in 1 Kgs 21:21 as punitive consequence for wrongdoing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I will bring disaster upon you; I will consume your descendants and will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel.
- Behold, I will bring calamity upon you; I will consume your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab every male, whether one who urinates against the wall or one who is confined and left in Israel.
1 K.21.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- כבית: PREP+NOUN,ms,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכבית: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעשא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- הכעס: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הכעסת: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg
- ותחטא: VERB,qal,impf,2,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:10 (verbal): Prophecy against Jeroboam's house—uses the same formula of bringing calamity on a king's house because he caused Israel to sin, paralleling the judgment pronounced on Ahab's house.
- 1 Kings 16:1-4 (verbal): Jehu's oracle against Baasha: God declares He will cut off Baasha's house and make it like the house of Jeroboam—same prophetic rhetoric and explicit comparison invoked in 1 Kings 21:22.
- 2 Kings 9:36-37 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the prophecy against Ahab's family (including Jezebel's death and the annihilation of the house of Ahab), showing the outcome promised in 1 Kings 21:22 realized.
- 1 Kings 21:23 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same prophetic pronouncement—continues the curse on Ahab's house (and Jezebel) with related imagery and reasons linked to provoking God's anger and causing Israel to sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked me, to make Israel sin.
- And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you provoked me to anger and caused Israel to sin.
1 K.21.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- לאיזבל: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- בחל: PREP
- יזרעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:19 (verbal): Earlier prophecy in the same episode where Elijah declares that dogs will lick Ahab's blood and dogs will eat Jezebel—same formulation of judgment.
- 1 Kings 22:38 (verbal): Fulfillment language: after Ahab's death the narrative says dogs licked up his blood, echoing the prophecy about animals consuming the guilty.
- 2 Kings 9:30-37 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the Jezebel prediction: Jehu has Jezebel thrown from a window at Jezreel and the dogs consume her, directly realizing the earlier oracle.
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (thematic): Part of the Deuteronomic curses where corpses become food for birds and beasts—shares the motif of dishonorable, animal‑consumed death as divine judgment.
- Revelation 2:20-23 (allusion): The Johannine church rebukes a woman called 'Jezebel' and pronounces severe divine judgment on her and her followers, alluding to Jezebel's character and fate as a paradigmatic guilty figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- And concerning Jezebel the LORD also said, The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel.
- And concerning Jezebel the LORD also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’
1 K.21.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- המת: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאחאב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמת: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:19 (verbal): Part of the same prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel — repeats the image of dogs and birds consuming the dead (Jerusalem/city vs. field) within the immediate proclamation.
- 2 Kings 9:30-37 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: Jezebel is thrown from a window, her blood is trampled underfoot, and dogs devour her flesh, echoing the prophecy's language.
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (thematic): Curse formula predicting that the dead will become food for birds and beasts; uses the same corpse‑as‑prey motif as a consequence of covenantal disobedience.
- Ezekiel 39:17-20 (thematic): Ezekiel depicts birds and wild animals gathering to eat the flesh of the slain after God's judgment — a comparable image of corpses being consumed by birds and beasts.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the dead of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and the dead in the field the birds of the air shall eat.
- Those who die in the city the dogs shall eat; and those who die in the field the birds of the heavens shall eat.
1 K.21.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כאחאב: PREP+PN,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- התמכר: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הסתה: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,f,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 16:30 (verbal): Ahab is described in nearly identical terms as surpassing prior kings in provoking the LORD—echoes the assessment of his exceptional wickedness.
- 1 Kings 16:31-33 (thematic): Describes Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel and the introduction of Baal worship in Israel, providing background for Jezebel’s role in leading Ahab into evil.
- 1 Kings 21:20-24 (structural): Elijah’s indictment and announced judgment against Ahab and Jezebel immediately precede v.25; these verses explain the prophetic charge that frames the statement about Ahab’s unique culpability.
- 2 Kings 9:22-26 (thematic): Narrates the violent downfall of Ahab’s house and Jezebel’s death (dogs), representing the fulfillment of judgment against the dynasty whose wickedness v.25 summarizes.
- Revelation 2:20 (allusion): The church is warned about a woman called ‘Jezebel’ who leads people into immorality and idolatry—an explicit symbolic reference to the historical Jezebel’s corrupting influence on Israel through Ahab.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was none like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife incited.
- Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife incited.
1 K.21.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתעב: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- אחרי: PREP
- הגללים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוריש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מפני: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 2:11-13 (verbal): Israel ‘did evil’ and ‘served Baalim’ and the gods of the Amorites — a direct thematic and verbal parallel to walking after idols and following the gods of the Amorites.
- 1 Kgs 16:31 (structural): Describes Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel and the establishment of Baal worship in Israel; provides the immediate royal context for walking after Baal/idols as in 1 Kgs 21:26.
- 2 Kgs 21:11-15 (thematic): Account of Manasseh doing ‘according to the abominations of the nations’ and leading Israel into idolatry — a later royal parallel where a king follows foreign gods like the Amorites.
- Deut 7:1-5 (thematic): Divine command not to intermarry with or adopt the practices of the nations to be driven out; provides the legal/backgroundal contrast to Israel’s later choice to ‘walk after the idols’ of the Amorites.
Alternative generated candidates
- He acted abhorrently in going after idols, according to all the deeds of the Amorites, whom the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
- He acted abominably in going after idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had dispossessed before the people of Israel.
1 K.21.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויקרע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בגדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- בשרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויצום: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בשק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהלך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אט: ADV
Parallels
- Jonah 3:5-10 (thematic): Nineveh responds to prophetic warning with fasting, sackcloth, and repentance, and God relents—parallel in form and outcome to Ahab’s fasting and humiliation leading to divine forbearance (cf. 1 Kgs 21:29).
- 2 Samuel 12:16-17 (verbal): David fasts and lies on the ground when his child is ill; the combination of fasting and prostration echoes Ahab’s fasting and lying in sackcloth as expressions of grief and supplication.
- Job 1:20 (verbal): Job tears his clothes and mourns after hearing tragic news; the tearing of garments as an outward sign of grief or repentance parallels Ahab’s tearing of his clothes in 1 Kgs 21:27.
- Esther 4:3 (thematic): Mordecai and the Jews put on sackcloth and ashes, fast and mourn—using sackcloth and fasting as communal signs of mourning/penitence similar to Ahab’s personal actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about softly.
- When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted and lay in sackcloth and walked softly.
1 K.21.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- התשבי: NOUN,adj,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 1 Kings 18:1 (verbal): Same prophetic formula — God speaks to Elijah (דבר־יהוה אל־אליהו), introducing a divine message and action following earlier events.
- 1 Kings 19:9 (structural): Parallel instance of the Lord speaking to Elijah (דבר־יהוה אליו) during a theophanic/commissioning scene (the cave on Horeb), showing recurring patterns in Elijah’s narrative.
- 1 Samuel 3:10 (thematic): God’s direct speech to a prophetic figure (Samuel) with the calling/commission motif — similar communicative pattern of divine address introducing prophetic directives.
- Jeremiah 1:4 (verbal): The opening words of Jeremiah’s call use the identical formula (ויהי דבר־יהוה אלי לאמר), a standard prophetic introduction linking divine word and prophetic commission.
- Ezekiel 1:3 (verbal): Ezekiel’s narrative begins with the phrase 'ויהי דבר־יהוה אל־יחזקאל', another canonical example of the 'word of the LORD came to the prophet' formula signaling prophetic revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
- Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
1 K.21.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ה: PART
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נכנע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלפני: PREP
- יען: CONJ
- כי: CONJ
- נכנע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- מפני: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- אביא: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,_,sg
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בימיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- אביא: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,_,sg
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jonah 3:10 (verbal): God ‘relents’/withholds the disaster after people humbly repent — closely parallels YHWH’s decision to spare Ahab in response to his humility.
- Exodus 32:14 (verbal): YHWH changes his mind about bringing calamity after intercession/repentance — a direct verbal parallel of divine relenting.
- Ezekiel 18:21-23 (thematic): Emphasizes that turning from wickedness averts prescribed punishment — thematic echo of repentance preventing judgment in Ahab’s case.
- 2 Samuel 12:10-12 (structural): Nathan pronounces that David will be forgiven yet calamity will come on his house — mirrors the pattern of personal reprieve but punishment deferred to the king’s house/offspring.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (thematic): God’s promise to forgive and heal when the people humble themselves and pray — a broader covenantal formulation of repentance leading to spared judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring disaster upon his house.
- “Have you seen how Ahab humbled himself before me? Because he humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in the days of his son I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
After these things there was a vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which was in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, 'Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; and I will give you a better vineyard for it, or if it pleases you I will give you the worth of it in money.' But Naboth said to Ahab, 'Far be it from me—before the LORD—that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you.' And Ahab went home sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; and he lay on his bed, turned his face away, and would not eat bread.
Then Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, 'Why is your spirit so sullen that you are not eating bread?' And he told her the words of Naboth the Jezreelite, saying, 'He said, I will not give you my vineyard.' And Jezebel his wife said to him, 'Are you now king over Israel? Rise up, eat bread, and let your heart be merry; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.' So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city.
She wrote in the letters, saying, 'Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people.' And she wrote, 'Set two worthless men before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king”; then take him out and stone him, that he may die.' So the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had written in the letters which she sent to them.
They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people.
Then there came in two men, men of Belial, and sat before him; and the two men testified against Naboth before the people, saying, 'Naboth has cursed God and the king'; and they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, and he died.
They sent and told Jezebel, saying, 'Naboth has been stoned and is dead.'
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she said to Ahab, 'Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.' And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth to take possession of it.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
'Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to obtain possession.'
You shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: Have you killed and also taken possession? Thus says the LORD: In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick up your own blood, even you.' And Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me, O my enemy?' And he answered, 'I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.'
Behold, I will bring calamity upon you; I will cut off your posterity, and will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.
Because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger and have caused Israel to sin, I will utterly make your house like those houses. And concerning Jezebel the LORD said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'
The dead of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and the dead who are in the field shall the birds of the heavens eat.
There was none like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
He acted abominably in going after idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel.
When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his flesh, fasted, lay in sackcloth, and walked softly.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'Have you seen how Ahab humbled himself before Me?—for he humbled himself before Me—
I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster upon his house.'