1 Kings 19:17
1 Kings 19:17 in Multiple Translations
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay; and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
And it will come about that the man who gets away safe from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will put to death; and whoever gets away safe from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will put to death.
Jehu will execute anyone who escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will execute anyone who escapes the sword of Jehu.
And him that escapeth from the sworde of Hazael, shall Iehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Iehu, shall Elisha slay.
'And it hath been, him who is escaped from the sword of Hazael, put to death doth Jehu, and him who is escaped from the sword of Jehu put to death doth Elisha;
He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall escape the sword of Hazael, shall be slain by Jehu: and whosoever shall escape the sword of Jehu, shall be slain by Eliseus.
Hazael’s army will kill many people, and those who escape from being killed by his army will be killed by Jehu’s army, and those who escape from being killed by Jehu’s army will be killed by Elisha.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 19:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 19:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
חֲזָאֵ֖ל
יָמִ֣ית
יֵה֑וּא
וְ/הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
יֵה֖וּא
יָמִ֥ית
אֱלִישָֽׁע
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
Art | V-Niphal
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
Prep | N-fs
חֲזָאֵ֖ל
Chăzâʼêl
H2371
Hazael
N-proper
יָמִ֣ית
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
יֵה֑וּא
Yêhûwʼ
H3058
Jehu
N-proper
וְ/הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
Conj | Art | V-Niphal
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
Prep | N-fs
יֵה֖וּא
Yêhûwʼ
H3058
Jehu
N-proper
יָמִ֥ית
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
אֱלִישָֽׁע
ʼĔlîyshâʻ
H477
Elisha
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 19:17
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
Art | V-Niphal
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
Prep | N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
חֲזָאֵ֖ל
Chăzâʼêl
H2371
"Hazael"
N-proper
Hazael was a king of Syria who met with the prophet Elisha to cure his master's leprosy. His name means one who sees God.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.19.15; father of: Ben-hadad (H1130I) § Hazael = "one who sees God" a king of Syria; sent by his master, Ben-hadad, to the prophet Elisha, to seek a remedy for Ben-hadad's leprosy; apparently later killed Ben-hadad, assumed the throne, and soon became engaged in a war with the kings of Judah and Israel for the possession of the city of Ramoth-gilead
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: Hazael. See also: 1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 9:15; Amos 1:4.
יָמִ֣ית
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
יֵה֑וּא
Yêhûwʼ
H3058
"Jehu"
N-proper
Jehu was the name of several Israelites, including a king who overthrew the dynasty of Omri and a prophet who lived during the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat. His name means Jehovah is He.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.3 § Jehu = "Jehovah is He" 1) the king of the northern kingdom Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri 2) son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat 3) the Antothite, a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors 4) a descendant of Judah of the house of Hezron 5) son of Josibiah and a chief of the tribe of Simeon
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Jehu. See also: 1 Kings 16:1; 2 Kings 10:19; Hosea 1:4.
וְ/הַ/נִּמְלָ֛ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
Conj | Art | V-Niphal
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
מֵ/חֶ֥רֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
Prep | N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
יֵה֖וּא
Yêhûwʼ
H3058
"Jehu"
N-proper
Jehu was the name of several Israelites, including a king who overthrew the dynasty of Omri and a prophet who lived during the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat. His name means Jehovah is He.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.3 § Jehu = "Jehovah is He" 1) the king of the northern kingdom Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri 2) son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat 3) the Antothite, a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors 4) a descendant of Judah of the house of Hezron 5) son of Josibiah and a chief of the tribe of Simeon
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Jehu. See also: 1 Kings 16:1; 2 Kings 10:19; Hosea 1:4.
יָמִ֥ית
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
אֱלִישָֽׁע
ʼĔlîyshâʻ
H477
"Elisha"
N-proper
Elisha was a famous prophet in the Bible who lived during the time of the divided kingdom. His name means God is salvation, and he is first mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16. Elisha succeeded Elijah as a great prophet.
Definition: A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.19.16; son of: Shaphat (H8202H) Also named: Elissaios (Ἐλισσαῖος "Elisha" G1666) § Elisha = "God is salvation" the great prophet who succeeded Elijah
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Elisha. See also: 1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 5:20; 2 Kings 13:21.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 19:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 19:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 19:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 19:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 19:17
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 19:17
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
- Sermons on 1 Kings 19:17
Context — The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb
15Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram.
16You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.
17Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
18Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 19So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 13:22 | And Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 8:12 | “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” |
| 3 | 2 Kings 13:3 | So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad. |
| 4 | Hosea 6:5 | Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. |
| 5 | 2 Kings 10:32 | In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory |
| 6 | Jeremiah 1:10 | See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 24:17–18 | Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. |
| 8 | Revelation 19:21 | And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. |
| 9 | Isaiah 11:4 | but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. |
| 10 | Amos 5:19 | It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. |
1 Kings 19:17 Summary
This verse is talking about a time when God will use two leaders, Jehu and Elisha, to bring judgment and purification to His people. Jehu will defeat those who escape the attacks of Hazael, and Elisha will continue this work, symbolizing God's desire to cleanse and restore His people, as seen in 1 Kings 18:21. This verse reminds us that God is in control of all things, and that He uses human events and leaders to bring about His will, as seen in Romans 13:4. It also teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and judgment, and to be faithful and obedient to His will, as seen in Psalm 96:13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Jehu to put to death those who escape the sword of Hazael?
This verse is prophesying a time of judgment and war, where Jehu will be used by God to bring death to those who escape the attacks of Hazael, as seen in 1 Kings 19:15 where God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, and 1 Kings 19:16 where Jehu is anointed as king over Israel.
How does Elisha fit into this prophecy?
Elisha is also a part of this prophecy, as he will put to death those who escape the sword of Jehu, symbolizing God's continued judgment and purification of His people, as seen in 1 Kings 19:16 where Elisha is anointed to succeed Elijah as prophet.
Is this verse promoting violence and death?
No, this verse is actually highlighting God's sovereignty and judgment, as seen in Romans 13:4 and Psalm 96:13, where God uses human leaders and events to bring about His will and justice, not promoting violence for its own sake.
What is the significance of this prophecy in the larger context of 1 Kings?
This prophecy is significant because it shows how God is working out His plan to judge His people for their idolatry and unfaithfulness, as seen in 1 Kings 18:21 and 1 Kings 21:25-26, and to ultimately bring about a time of restoration and renewal.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty and control over human events?
- How does this prophecy relate to the larger story of God's relationship with His people in the Old Testament?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's will?
- How can we apply the principles of this verse to our own lives and circumstances, trusting in God's sovereignty and judgment?
- What does this verse say about the role of human leaders and authorities in carrying out God's will?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 19:17
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay,.... Which suggests that many should be slain in Israel by them both, as were by Hazael, 2 Kings 10:32 and by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 19:17
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
Here the order of times seems to be perverted; for Elisha was prophet before Jehu or Hazael were kings, and Hazael was king before Jehu. But that is of no moment as to the substance of the thing threatened, which is only this, that one or other of these should infallibly execute God’ s judgments upon the apostatical Israelites. Elisha is said to slay them, either because he slew those forty-two children, , besides others whom upon like occasions he might destroy; or because he by God’ s appointment inflicted the famine, ; or rather, by the sword which came out of his mouth, as 19:15,21, by his cutting prophecies and threatenings of God’ s judgments; the prophets being said to pull down and to destroy what they only declare and foretell shall be pulled down, &c. Hazael began to slay them before Jehu was king, , though his cruelty was much increased afterward, 13:1-3; and Jehu destroyed those whom Hazael did not, king Joram himself, and Ahaziah, and his forty-two brethren, ,27 10:14, all the near relations of wicked Ahab.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
1 Kings 19:17 And it shall come to pass, [that] him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.Ver. 17. Shall Elisha slay.] Elisha then hath his sword as well as Jehu and Hazael, though of another nature; viz., prayers, threatenings, curses, which did all most certainly and infallibly come to pass. And whensoever Elisha unsheatheth and brandisheth his sword, it is a fair warning that the sword of Jehu and Hazael are at hand. See Hosea 6:5 Jeremiah 1:10. They that can stand against or escape the power of two kings, shall yet fall by the hand of prayer.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
(17) Him that escapeth the sword of Hazael.—The vengeance wrought by Hazael and Jehu on the faithlessness of Israel speaks for itself; it is marked in bloody letters on the history (2 Kings 10). But Elisha’s mission was obviously not one of such vengeance. He had to destroy enmity, but not to slay the enemies of God. The difficulty, such as it is, is one of the many marks of historic accuracy in the whole passage. Probably Elisha’s mission is here described in the terms in which Elijah would best understand it. His spirit was for war; he could hardly have conceived how the completion of his mission was to be wrought out by the weapons of peace in the hand of his successor. (Comp. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
Verse 17. Shall Elisha slay.] We do not find that Elisha either used the sword, or commissioned it to be used, though he delivered solemn prophecies against this disobedient people: and this is probably the sense in which this should be understood, as Elisha was prophet before Hazael was king, and Hazael was king before Jehu; and the heavy famine which he brought on the land took place before the reign either of Jehu or Hazael. The meaning of the prophecy may be this: Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha, shall be the ministers of my vengeance against this disobedient and rebellious people. The order of time, here, is not to be regarded.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 19:17
17. shall Elisha slay] Here we come upon evidence that the language of these verses (15–18) is not to be pressed into a literal interpretation. In the second book of Kings the compiler gives us all that he thought needful of the life of Elisha, and there is nothing in it which accords with a literal acceptance of this verse. We read of none that were slain by the hand of Elijah’s successor. But his voice and his labours for the overthrow of false worship, and for making known, both to Israel and to the nations round about, that there was ‘no God in all the earth but in Israel’ (2 Kings 6:15) were constant, and by this ‘sword of his mouth’ he overthrew the foes of Jehovah. In this sense he fulfilled the declaration in the text, his work coming in and being effectual in places and ways where Hazael and Jehu wrought no deliverance.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 19:17
Compare the marginal references. Shall Elisha slay - i. e., With a spiritual slaying by the “word of the Lord,” which is “sharper than any two-edged sword,” and may be said to slay those whose doom
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:17
17. Hazael… Jehu… Elisha — These are to be the ministers of Divine vengeance against the house of Ahab — the swords of a Jew and a Gentile king, and the word of Elijah’s successor.
Sermons on 1 Kings 19:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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"Go, Return!" by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the grave consequences of sin, illustrating how it can permanently hinder one's usefulness to God through the examples of Moses, Saul, and Elijah. He highligh |
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Rev. 1:13-16. the Glory of the Son of Man by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar preaches on Revelation 1:13-16, emphasizing the majestic glory of the Son of Man, who stands in the midst of the seven churches. He describes Christ's royal and prie |
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(2 Kings) Jehu: Zealous, but Not Enough by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jehu from the Bible. Jehu was a man of great power and momentum, known for his zeal and authority. The people of Jezreel, recog |
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Take Heed, Lest You Fall by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the role of a prophet and the importance of listening to God's voice. The prophet in focus is described as having a fierce loyalty to God and |
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Defiling the Inheritance by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the blessings and goodness of God in our lives. He compares the Israelites entering the promised land to belie |
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Anabaptist Missions by Dean Taylor | In this sermon, the preacher encourages the heroes of Israel and the strong men of Zion to take courage and rejoice, as the time of their triumph is near. He assures them that all |
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If My Pastors - Silence Is Not an Option by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the divide within the church regarding different callings and passions, emphasizing that pastors must not remain silent on critical issues like abortion and |