1 Kings 13:2

Translations

Modern

And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

Traditional

And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee.

Literal

And he cried out against the altar by the word of YHWH, and he said, “O altar, O altar, thus says YHWH: ‘Behold, a child shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and bones of man shall be burned on you.’”

Latin

Et exclamavit contra altare in sermone Domini, et ait: Altare, altare, hæc dicit Dominus: Ecce filius nascetur domui David, Josias nomine, et immolabit super te sacerdotes excelsorum, qui nunc in te thura succendunt: et ossa hominum super te incendet.

Original

Hebrew

English

And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

Notes

1 Kings 13:1–10

The story of the unnamed man of God who spoke against Jeroboam’s false altar at Bethel shows the authority of God’s word. This prophecy even gave a personal name connected with an event that would happen much later (2 Kings 23:15–20).

Other examples are Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus as a future ruler (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1) and Micah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Prophecies like these give assurance that God is in control of history and knows all things (see Isaiah 42:9).

Theme notes and profiles

Jeroboam I Josiah God’s Faithfulness to His People Prophets in 1 Kings True Success

Events

Reign of Jeroboam I

Related verses

2 Kings 23:15–18
He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole.
Ezekiel 36:1
“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD.
2 Kings 22:1–2
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.
Jeremiah 22:29
O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!
2 Chronicles 34:1
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.
Isaiah 58:1
“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.
Isaiah 48:5–7
Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’
Ezekiel 36:4
…therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become a spoil and a mockery to the rest of the nations around you.
Isaiah 44:26–28
…who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’
Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Luke 19:40
“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

Parallels

2 Kings 23:4–20 2 Chronicles 34:3–7

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Josiah: King of Judah known for his religious reforms

Glossary

Ashes False Prophets High Place Josiah Kings, Books of First and Second Pekahiah Prophets, False

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: Prophecies Against the Idolatrous Altars At Calf: Prophecies Against the Golden Calves at Beth-El Calves of Jeroboam: Worship of Denounced by a Prophet Intercession: Answered: The Prophet of Israel, for the Restoration of Jeroboam's Withered Hand Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Hand of, Paralyzed Josiah: King of Judah: Prophecies Concerning Judgments: The Prophet of Judah, for Disobedience Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Birth and Zeal of Josiah Reproof: Faithfulness in a Prophet of Judah, of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jeroboam, Perverting the True Worship

1 Kings 13:2

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