1 Kings 21:10

Translations

Modern

But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

Traditional

And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

Literal

And seat two men, sons of worthlessness, before him to bear witness against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ And take him out and stone him, that he may die.”

Latin

…et submittite duos viros filios Belial contra eum, et falsum testimonium dicant: Benedixit Deum et regem: et educite eum, et lapidate, sicque moriatur.

Original

Hebrew

English

But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

Notes

1 Kings 21:10

scoundrels (literally sons of Belial): This Hebrew term describes completely wicked people (Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 10:27; Proverbs 6:12). Later Jewish texts associated Belial with Satan, a connection Paul also makes in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:15).
Legally, two witnesses were required to confirm a charge against someone (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). Naboth faced a double accusation of blasphemy against God and the king, which led to a death sentence by stoning outside the city (Deuteronomy 17:5–6; 22:24). Naboth was likely executed on his own land (see 2 Kings 9:21–26).

1 Kings 21:1–16

The writer shares another event where King Ahab reacted with anger and sulking (1 Kings 20:43; 21:4).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Elijah Jezebel Anger Apostasy and Renewal Social Justice The Righteous Suffer

Related verses

Exodus 22:28
You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
Acts 6:11
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
Leviticus 24:15–16
And you are to tell the Israelites, ‘If anyone curses his God, he shall bear the consequences of his sin.
Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Deuteronomy 13:13
…that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
Judges 19:22
While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!”
Matthew 26:59–66
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
John 10:33
“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
Acts 6:13
…where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

People

Satan: The adversary, the devil, the tempter of humanity

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ammi Archaeology and the Bible Courts and Trials Elder Jezebel Jezreel (Place) Jezreelite Kings, Books of First and Second Naboth Queen Seal Witness

Topics

Confiscation by Ahab, of Naboth's Vineyard Conspiracy of Jezebel, Against Naboth Covetousness: Ahab, in Desiring Naboth's Vineyard Dishonesty: Ahab Confiscates Naboth's Vineyard False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Naboth by Jezebel Falsehood: The Conspirators Against Naboth Government: Corruption In Government: Monarchical by Solomon Government: Mosaic: Corrupt Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Homicide: Felonious: Ahab and Jezebel Indictments: Naboth on the Charge of Blasphemy Injustice: Ahab Jezebel: Wickedly Accomplishes the Death of Naboth Judge: Corrupt: The Judges of Jezreel King: Influential Queens: Jezebel King: Profiting From: Confiscations of Property Murder: Jezebel Murder: The Wicked: Encourage Others to Commit Naboth: His Vineyard Forcibly Taken by Ahab; Stoned at the Instigation of Jezebel Perjury: Witnesses Against Naboth Punishment: Death Penalty: Stoning Slander of Naboth, by Jezebel Titles and Names of the Wicked: Sons of Belial Usurpation of Executive Power in Ordering Naboth's Death and Confiscation of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard

1 Kings 21:10

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