What does 1 Kings 21:21 mean?

"Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel," - 1 Kings 21:21

"Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel," - 1 Kings 21:21

The verse 1 Kings 21:21, from the King James Version of the Bible, reads as follows:

"Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel."

This verse is part of the narrative of King Ahab's confrontation with the prophet Elijah. Ahab, the king of Israel, desired to acquire a vineyard belonging to a man named Naboth. Ahab offered to buy the vineyard from Naboth, but Naboth refused on the grounds that the land had been inherited from his ancestors and could not be sold. This refusal angered King Ahab, and his wife Jezebel, in an attempt to satisfy Ahab's desires, schemed to have Naboth falsely accused and ultimately killed so that Ahab could claim the vineyard as his own.

The verse comes in the context of God's judgment against Ahab and Jezebel for their wrongdoing. This judgment is delivered through the prophet Elijah, who confronts Ahab and pronounces God's judgment upon him. This verse specifically refers to the consequences that Ahab and his family will face as a result of their actions.

The phrase "I will bring evil upon thee" is a clear indication of God's displeasure with Ahab's actions and His intention to bring about punishment. The concept of evil in this context refers to calamity, distress, and suffering that will come upon Ahab and his descendants.

The phrase "and will take away thy posterity" refers to the fact that Ahab's descendants will be cut off, meaning that his lineage will eventually come to an end. This is a significant punishment in ancient Israel, as the continuation of one's family line was highly valued and seen as a blessing from God.

The phrase "and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the complete destruction of Ahab's male descendants. The phrase "him that pisseth against the wall" is an ancient euphemism for males, and "him that is shut up and left in Israel" refers to all the males in Ahab's lineage, including those who are prosperous and those who are destitute.

The themes present in this verse include divine judgment, consequences for wrongdoing, and the importance of upholding principles of justice and righteousness. In the biblical context, the actions of Ahab and Jezebel are seen as a violation of God's commandments, particularly the command against coveting and murdering (Exodus 20:17, Exodus 20:13).

The verse also highlights the sin of using one's power and influence to oppress and exploit others, as Ahab and Jezebel sought to unjustly take possession of Naboth's vineyard. This serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the need to act with integrity and righteousness, especially when it comes to dealings with others.

In terms of symbolism, the vineyard itself can be seen as a metaphor for God's people and the land that God has allotted to them. Ahab's desire for the vineyard represents his greed and lack of regard for God's commands, while Naboth's refusal to sell the vineyard represents his commitment to preserving his family's inheritance and standing up for what is right. The vineyard also serves as a symbol of justice and righteousness, as God ultimately vindicates Naboth and punishes Ahab and Jezebel for their actions.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 21:21 is a verse that conveys the severe consequences of Ahab and Jezebel's wrongful actions and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding moral principles and seeking to act justly in all dealings with others. It also demonstrates the biblical theme of divine judgment and the consequences that result from turning away from God's commands.

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1 Kings 21:21 Artwork

1 Kings 21:21 - "Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,"

1 Kings 21:21 - "Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,"

"Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel," - 1 Kings 21:21

"Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel," - 1 Kings 21:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 8:21

1 Kings 21:14 - "Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead."

1 Kings 21:14 - "Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead."

1 Kings 21:28 - "And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 21:28 - "And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 21:17 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 21:17 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,"

1 Kings 21:12 - "They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people."

1 Kings 21:12 - "They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people."

1 Kings 20:21 - "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."

1 Kings 20:21 - "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."

1 Kings 22:21 - "And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him."

1 Kings 22:21 - "And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him."

1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."

1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."

1 Kings 21:1 - "And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria."

1 Kings 21:1 - "And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria."

1 Chronicles 16:21 - "He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,"

1 Chronicles 16:21 - "He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,"

1 Kings 21:9 - "And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:"

1 Kings 21:9 - "And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:"

1 Kings 21:23 - "And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."

1 Kings 21:23 - "And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."

1 Kings 15:21 - "And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah."

1 Kings 15:21 - "And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah."

1 Kings 2:1 - "Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,"

1 Kings 2:1 - "Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,"

2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"

2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"

1 Kings 21:24 - "Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat."

1 Kings 21:24 - "Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat."

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."

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."

1 Kings 1:21 - "Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders."

1 Kings 1:21 - "Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders."

2 Kings 2:21

2 Kings 2:21

"And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying," - 1 Kings 21:28

"And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying," - 1 Kings 21:28

"¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying," - 1 Kings 21:17

"¶ And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying," - 1 Kings 21:17

"Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead." - 1 Kings 21:14

"Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead." - 1 Kings 21:14

1 Kings 16:21 - "¶ Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri."

1 Kings 16:21 - "¶ Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri."

1 Kings 21:18 - "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it."

1 Kings 21:18 - "Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it."

1 Kings 21:5 - "¶ But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?"

1 Kings 21:5 - "¶ But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?"