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1 Kings 12

1 Kings 12:33

Jeroboam’s Idolatry · 1 Kings 12:25–33
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Translations

Modern
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense.
Traditional
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth–el 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.
Literal
And he made offerings on the altar that he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month that he had devised in his own heart, and he ordained a feast for the sons of Israel and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense.
Latin
Et ascendit super altare quod exstruxerat in Bethel, quintadecima die mensis octavi, quem finxerat de corde suo: et fecit solemnitatem filiis Israël, et ascendit super altare, ut adoleret incensum.

Original

Hebrew
English
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense.

Notes

1 Kings 12:32–33

  • Replacing the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel’s main ceremonial feast in the seventh month, with a festival in Bethel broke the law (Deuteronomy 16:13–15). Holding this imitation festival one month later in the eighth month might have matched the end of the Canaanite agricultural year. Jeroboam’s false religious practices led to Israel’s downfall (2 Kings 17:22).

  • Jeroboam’s offering of sacrifices on the altar at Bethel set a poor example in spiritual leadership.

1 Kings 12:25–33

Jeroboam's efforts to establish his kingdom are described in two parts. One part covers his construction projects (1 Kings 12:25), and the other discusses his false shrines and religious practices (1 Kings 12:26–33).

Theme notes and profiles

Jeroboam I Joseph True Success

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Cattle Golden Calf Idols, Idolatry Judaism Kings, Books of First and Second

Topics

Altars of Jeroboam at Bethel Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: Jeroboam Institutes Idolatrous Worship At Bul: Jeroboam Institutes an Idolatrous Feast In, to Correspond with the Feast of Tabernacles Calf: Images of, Set up in Beth-El and Dan by Jeroboam Calves of Jeroboam: Feasts Appointed For Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Feast of Tabernacles: Jeroboam Institutes an Idolatrous Feast to Correspond To, in the Eighth Month Idolatry: Other Customs of Incense Burned on Altars Jeroboam: First King of Israel After the Revolt: Subverts the Religion of Moses Month: Bul (November): Jeroboam's Idolatrous Feast In National Sins: Often Caused and Encouraged by Rulers Rebellion Against God: Jeroboam Religion: National: Established by Jeroboam Religion: National: Subverted by Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jeroboam, Perverting the True Worship Statecraft: Jeroboam Temple: Idolatrous of the Calves, at Beth-El