1 Kings 18:2 — Word Study
WLCוַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ לְהֵרָא֖וֹת אֶל־ אַחְאָ֑ב וְהָרָעָ֖ב חָזָ֥ק בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
BSASo ElijahʼÊlîyâh [my God is Jehovah, a prophet of God] to present himselfrâʼâh [show, appear before] toʼêl AhabʼAchʼâb [a king of Israel, married to Jezebel] The faminerâʻâb [a severe lack of food, hunger] was severechâzâq [strong, grievous] in SamariaShômᵉrôwn [the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, watch mountain]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ | and he went | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ | Elijah | Noun proper masculine |
| לְהֵרָא֖וֹת | to present himself | Preposition, verb niphal infinitive construct common |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| אַחְאָ֑ב | Ahab | Noun proper masculine |
| וְהָרָעָ֖ב | and the famine | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| חָזָ֥ק | [was] severe | Adj |
| בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ | in Samaria | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria, |
| KJV | And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria. |
| ASV | And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria. |
| YLT | and Elijah goeth to appear unto Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria, |
| WEB | Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. |
| BBE | So Elijah went to let Ahab see him. Now there was no food to be had in Samaria. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, with no significant differences noted.
The sentence contains a main clause followed by additional phrases that provide context and detail.





6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֵלִיָּהוּ
verbהלך
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Kings 18:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Elijah Confronts Ahabgenerated
1 Kings 18:2 describes Elijah's journey to present himself to King Ahab amidst a severe famine in Samaria. This moment is crucial as it sets the stage for Elijah's confrontation with Ahab regarding the worship of Baal and the need for Israel to return to the worship of Yahweh. The famine serves as a backdrop to the spiritual crisis facing the nation, emphasizing the urgency of Elijah's mission.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread? |
| 2 | Psalm 51:4 | Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. |
| 3 | Proverbs 28:1 | The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| 4 | Isaiah 51:12 | “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass? |
| 5 | Hebrews 13:5–6 | Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵלִיָּהוּ, 'e.li.Ya.hugenerated
The name אֵלִיָּהוּ ('Eliyah) means 'my God is Jehovah.' It identifies Elijah as a significant prophet during the reign of Ahab, emphasizing his role as a messenger of God during a time of apostasy in Israel.
Elijah's name reflects his mission and identity, reinforcing his connection to Yahweh and his prophetic authority. The parsing indicates he is a proper noun, specifically a masculine singular, denoting a specific individual with a notable legacy in biblical history.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read from the Berean Standard Bible, which uses present for the Hebrew term לְהֵרָא֖וֹת.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (vai.Ye.lekh), meaning 'and he went,' governs the sentence, indicating the action taken by Elijah. The structure includes a subject, a prepositional phrase, and additional clauses that detail the context of the action.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on Elijah's action first, highlighting his proactive role in the narrative.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ as ἐπορεύθη, which means 'he went.' This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the action without additional interpretation.
The use of ὀφθῆναι for לְהֵרָא֖וֹת suggests a focus on the act of appearing, which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but emphasizes the visibility of Elijah before Ahab.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Kings 18:2 tells us that Elijah went to see King Ahab during a time of severe famine in Samaria. This moment is important as it leads to Elijah's confrontation with Ahab about the worship of God and the need for Israel to turn back to Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Elijah went to Ahab in obedience to God's command, as part of his mission to confront the king about the spiritual state of Israel.
The famine represents God's judgment on Israel for their idolatry and serves as a backdrop for Elijah's prophetic ministry.
Elijah's name, meaning 'my God is Jehovah,' emphasizes his role as a prophet of Yahweh and his mission to call Israel back to true worship.
This verse sets the stage for the confrontation between Elijah and Ahab, highlighting the tension between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatry prevalent in Israel at the time.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does Elijah's obedience to God's command teach us about following divine guidance?
- In what ways can we recognize and address spiritual famine in our own lives or communities?
- How does understanding the historical context of this verse enhance our reading of the narrative?
- What lessons can we learn from Elijah's courage in confronting authority?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Kings 18:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab,.... Which showed his cheerful and ready obedience to the will of God, and his great courage and magnanimity, to face a king enraged against him, and that
Read John Gill on 1 Kings 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Kings 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleElijah went to show himself unto Ahab; wherein he shows a strong faith, and resolute obedience, and invincible courage, that he durst at God’ s command run into the mouth of this raging lion; which was a degree of martyrdom.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Kings 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Kings 18:2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And [there was] a sore famine in Samaria.Ver. 2. And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab.] Though a bloody persecutor of the prophets, and to Elijah a professed enemy. Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fear.
Read John Trapp on 1 Kings 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. And there was a sore famine] R.V. with more strict adherence to the original, And the famine was sore.
Read Cambridge on 1 Kings 18 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Sore famine in Samaria — While it is clear, from 1 Kings 17:12-14, that the famine extended beyond the kingdom of Israel, it is still probable that it was especially oppressive in Samaria, and the
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Kings 18 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,
So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.
Tyndale line
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.
And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And there was a grievous famine in Samaria.
And Eliiah went to shew himselfe vnto Ahab, and there was a great famine in Samaria.
Strictly literal
And Elijah went to shew himself to Ahab. And the famine was severe in Samaria.
and Elijah goeth to appear unto Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria,
and Elijah goes to appear to Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria,
And Elijah went to show himself unto Achab; and the famine was grievous in Samaria.
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab; now the famine was severe in Samaria.
From the Latin
And Elias went to shew himself to Achab, and there was a grievous famine in Samaria.
Simplified
So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. In the meantime the famine had become severe in Samaria.
So Elijah went to let Ahab see him. Now there was no food to be had in Samaria.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all words matching in their respective translations. This consistency reinforces the reliability of the text across different traditions.
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ לְהֵרָא֖וֹת אֶל־ אַחְאָ֑ב וְהָרָעָ֖ב חָזָ֥ק בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Kings 18:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
Hc/Vqw3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אֵלִיָּה (Eliyah) means "Yah(u) is God" and refers primarily to the prophet Elijah, known for his role during the reign of Ahab. The name also applies to a Benjamite, a son of Elam, and a priest from Ezra's time. The entries consistently highlight Elijah's significance, with no notable disagreements among the lexicons.
אֵלִיָּה; אֵלִיָּ֫הוּ n.pr.m. (Yah(u) is God)
Elijah, the great prophet of the reign of Ahab
Benjamite
a priest of Ezra’s time
a son of Elam
base
H452 אֵלִיָּה; אֵלִיָּ֫הוּ (Yah(u) is God) . Elijah, the great prophet of the reign of Ahab
. Benjamite
. a priest of Ezra’s time
. a son of Elam
452 'Eliyah ay-lee-yaw'
or prolonged tEliyahuw {ay-lee-yaw'-hoo}; from 410 and 3050;
God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of
two other Israelites:--Elijah, Eliah.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 03050
אֵלִיָּה (e.liy.yah) — Elijah.
A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.17.1
Also named: Hēlias (Ἡλίας "Elijah" G2243)
§ Elijah or Eliah = "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God"
1) the great prophet of the reign of Ahab
2) Benjamite son of Jeroham
3) a son of Elam with foreign wife during exile
4) a son of Harim, and priest, with foreign wife during exile
אֵלִיָּה (e.liy.yah) — Elijah.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.27;
son of: Jeroham (H3395H);
brother of: Shamsherai (H8125), Shehariah (H7841), Athaliah (H6271H), Jaareshiah (H3298) and Zichri (H2147J)
§ Elijah or Eliah = "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God"
1) the great prophet of the reign of Ahab
2) Benjamite son of Jeroham
3) a son of Elam with foreign wife during exile
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
e-li'-ja ('eliyahu or (4 times) 'eliyah, "Yah is God"; Septuagint Eleiou, New Testament Eleias or Elias, the King James Version of New Testament Elias):
Contents
I. THE WORKS OF ELIJAH
1. The Judgment of Drought 2. The Ordeal by Prayer 3. At Horeb 4. The Case of Naboth 5. Elijah and Ahaziah 6. Elijah Translated 7. The Letter to Jehoram
II. THE WORK OF ELIJAH
III. CHARACTER OF THE PROPHET
IV. MIRACLES IN THE ELIJAH NARRATIVES
V. ELIJAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
VI. LITERATURE
(1) The great prophet of the times of Ahab, king of Israel. Elijah is identified at his first appearance (1Ki 17:1) as "Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead." Thus his native place must have been called Tishbeh. A Tishbeh (Thisbe) in the territory of Naphtali is known from Tobit 1:2; but if (with most modern commentators) the reading of the Septuagint in…
Elijah
Whose God is Jehovah. (1.) “The Tishbite,” the “Elias” of the New Testament, is suddenly introduced to our notice in 1 Kings 17:1 as delivering a message from the Lord to Ahab. There is mention made of a town called Thisbe, south of Kadesh, but it is impossible to say whether this was the place referred to in the name given to the prophet.
Having delivered his message to Ahab, he retired at the command of God to a hiding-place by the brook Cherith, beyond Jordan, where he was fed by ravens. When the brook dried up God sent him to the widow of Zarephath, a city of Zidon, from whose scanty store he was supported for the space of two years. During this period the widow’s son died, and was restored to life by Elijah (1 Kings 17: 2-24).
(my God is Jehovah) has been well entitled "the grandest and the most romantic character that Israel ever produced." "Elijah the Tishbite,... of the inhabitants of Gilead" is literally all that is given us to know of his parentage and locality. Of his appearance as he "stood before" Ahab (B.C. 910) with the suddenness of motion to this day characteristic of the Bedouins from his native hills, we can perhaps realize something from the touches, few but strong, of the narrative. His chief characteristic was his hair, long and thick, and hanging down his back. His ordinary clothing consisted of a girdle of skin round his loins, which he tightened when about to move quickly. (1 Kings 18:46) But in addition to this he occasionally wore the "mantle" or cape of sheepskin which has supplied us with one of our most familiar figures of speech.…
The prophet, a native of Tishbeh in Gilead, 1Ki 17:1. His parentage and early history are unknown. His bold faithfulness provoked the wrath of Ahab and Jezebel, especially when he threatened several years of drought and famine as a punishment for the sins of Israel, B. C. 908. By the divine direction the prophet took refuge on the bank of the brook Cherith, where he was miraculously fed by ravens. Thence he resorted to Zarephath, in Phoenicia; where one miracle provided him with sustenance and another restored to life the child of his hostess. Returning to King Ahab, he procured the great assembling at mount Carmel, where God "answered by fire," and the prophets of Baal were destroyed. Now too the long and terrible drought was broken, and a plentiful rain descended at the prophet’s prayer. Finding that not even these mighty works of…
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb niphal infinitive construct commonHR/VNcc
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
The Hebrew word אַחְאָב (*Ach'ab*) refers to Ahab, a name associated with a king of Israel and a false prophet during the time of Jeremiah. It is derived from the words for 'brother' and 'father,' meaning 'father's brother.' The entries highlight Ahab's lineage, including his marriage to Jezebel and his role in the Divided Monarchy.
אַחְאָב 91 n.pr.m. Ahab (father’s brother)
son of Omri, king of Isr.
false prophet, time of Jerem.
base
H256 אַחְאָב
256 'Ach'ab akh-awb'
once (by contraction) oEchab (Jer. 29:22) {ekh- awb'}; from
251 and 1; brother (i.e. friend) of (his) father; Achab, the
name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon:--Ahab.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 01
אַחְאָב (ach.av) — Ahab.
A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.28;
son of: Omri (H6018); married to Jezebel (H0348);
father of: Joash (H3101H), Ahaziah (H0274), Joram (H3141H), Athaliah (H6271)
§ Ahab = "father's brother"
1) king of Israel, son of Omri, husband of Jezebel
2) false prophet executed by Nebuchadrezzar, time of Jeremiah
אַחְאָב (ach.av) — Ahab.
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.29.21;
son of: Kolaiah (H6964H)
§ Ahab = "father's brother"
1) king of Israel, son of Omri, husband of Jezebel
2) false prophet executed by Nebuchadrezzar, time of Jeremiah
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a'-hab ('ach'abh, Assyrian a-cha-ab-bu; Septuagint Achaab, but Jer 29:21 f, Achiab, which, in analogy with '-h-y- m-l-k, (')-h-y-'-l, etc., indicates an original 'achi'abh, meaning "the father is my brother"): The compound probably signifies that "the father," referring to God, has been chosen as a brother.
1. Ahab's Reign:
Ahab, son of Omri, the seventh king of Israel, who reigned for twenty-two years, from 876 to 854 (1Ki 16:28 ff), was one of the strongest and at the same time one of the weakest kings of Israel. With his kingdom he inherited also the traditional enemies of the kingdom, who were no less ready to make trouble for him than for his predecessors. Occupying a critical position at the best, with foes ever ready to take advantage of any momentary weakness, the kingdom…
Ahab
Father’s brother. (1.) The son of Omri, whom he succeeded as the seventh king of Israel. His history is recorded in 1 Kings 16-22. His wife was Jezebel (q.v.), who exercised a very evil influence over him. To the calf-worship introduced by Jeroboam he added the worship of Baal. He was severely admonished by Elijah (q.v.) for his wickedness. His anger was on this account kindled against the prophet, and he sought to kill him. He undertook three campaigns against Ben-hadad II., king of Damascus. In the first two, which were defensive, he gained a complete victory over Ben-hadad, who fell into his hands, and was afterwards released on the condition of his restoring all the cities of Israel he then held, and granting certain other concessions to Ahab. After three years of peace, for some cause Ahab renewed war (1 Kings 22:3) with…
(uncle). Son of Omri, seventh king of Israel, reigned B.C. 919-896. He married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre; and in obedience to her wishes, caused temple to be built to Baal in Samaria itself; and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte. See (1 Kings 18:19) One of Ahab’s chief tastes was for splendid architecture which he showed by building an ivory house and several cities. Desiring to add to his pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, he proposed to buy it or give land in exchange for it; and when this was refused by Naboth in accordance with the Levitical law, (Leviticus 25:23) a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against him, and he was murdered, and Ahab took possession of the coveted fields. (
1. The sixth king of Israel, succeeded his father Omri B. C. 918, and reigned twenty-two years. His wife was Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre; an ambitious and passionate idolatress, through whose influence the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth was introduced in Israel. Ahab erected in Samaria a house of Baal, and set up images of Baal and Ashtoreth; idolatry and wickedness became fearfully prevalent, and the king "did more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings that were before him." In the midst of this great apostasy, God visited the land with three years of drought and famine; and then, at Mount Carmel, reproved idolatry by fire from heaven, and by the destruction of four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. About six years later, Ben-hadad, king of Syria, invaded Israel with a great army, but was ignominiously defeated; and still more disastrously the year after, when…
רָעָב (ra`ab) refers to famine and hunger, indicating a lack of food that can affect individuals or entire nations. It is derived from the root meaning to be hungry, and it encompasses both literal and figurative uses, such as famine caused by divine judgment. The entries consistently emphasize its association with severe food scarcity.
רָעָב 101 n.m. famine, hunger
base
H7458 רָעָב famine, hunger
7458 ra`ab raw-awb'
from 7456; hunger (more or less extensive):--dearth,
famine, + famished, hunger.
see HEBREW for 07456
רָעָב (ra.av) — famine.
1) famine, hunger
1a) famine (in land, nation)
1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig)
1b) hunger (of individuals)
Conj | Art | N-ms — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncmsa
fam'-in (ra`abh; limos):
1. Natural Causes
2. Famines Mentioned
3. Divine Relations
4. Figurative Uses
The common Old Testament word for "famine" is ra`abh; re`abhon also occurs (Ge 42:19,33; Ps 37:19), and kaphan (Job 5:22; 30:3), all meaning "hunger" and "famine"; in the New Testament the word is limos, meaning primarily "failure," "want of food."
Famine
The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen. 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen. 26:1, 17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen. 41-45).
Famines were sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people (2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3;
In the whole of Syria and Arabia, the fruits of the earth must ever be dependent on rain; the watersheds having few large springs, and the small rivers not being sufficient for the irrigation of even the level lands. If therefore the heavy rains of November and December fail, the sustenance of the people is cut off in the parching drought of harvest-time, when the country is almost devoid of moisture. Egypt, again, owes all its fertility to its mighty river, whose annual rise inundates nearly the whole land. The causes of dearth and famine in Egypt are defective inundation, preceded, accompanied and followed by prevalent easterly and southerly winds. Famine is likewise a natural result in the East when caterpillars, locusts or other insects destroy the products of the earth. The first famine recorded in the Bible is that of Abraham after he had pitched his tent on the east of Bethel…
Scripture records several famines in Palestine, and the neighboring countries, Ge 12:10 26:1 Ru 1:1 2Ki 6:25 Ac 11:27. The most remarkable one was that of seven years in Egypt, while Joseph was governor, Ge 41:1-57. It was distinguished for its duration, extent, and severity; particularly as Egypt is one of the countries least subject to such a calamity, by reason of its general fertility. Famine is sometimes a natural effect, as when the Nile does not overflow in Egypt, or rains do not fall in Judea, at the customary season; or when caterpillars, locusts, or other insects, destroy the fruits. But all natural causes are…
חָזָק (chazaq) means strong, stout, or mighty, often with a connotation of severity or hardness. It can also refer to a strong person as a noun. The word is built from a root that suggests strength in various contexts, including boldness and violence.
חָזָק adj. strong, stout, mighty
strong
as subst., a strong one
base
H2389 חָזָק strong, stout, mighty . strong
. as subst., a strong one
2389 chazaq khaw-zawk'
from 2388; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold,
violent):--harder, hottest, + impudent, loud, mighty, sore,
stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).
see HEBREW for 02388
חָזָק (cha.zaq) — strong.
1) strong, stout, mighty
1a) strong
1a1) severe, sharp, hot
1a2) firm, hard
1b) a strong one (subst)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
שִׁמְרוֹן (Shomrown) refers to Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel established during Omri's reign. The name is derived from a root meaning 'watch-station' or 'watch mountain.' It denotes both the city and the surrounding region, which played a significant role in the history of Israel after the kingdom split.
שִׁמְרוֹן 109 n.pr.loc. capital of N. Isr. from Omri's time
base
H8111 שִׁמְרוֹן capital of N. Isr. from Omri's time
8111 Shomrown sho-mer-one'
from the active participle of 8104; watch-station; Shomeron,
a place in Palestine:--Samaria.
see HEBREW for 08104
שֹׁמְרוֹן (sho.me.ron) — Samaria.
§ Samaria = "watch mountain"
1) the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam
2) the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel located 30 miles (50 km) north of Jerusalem and 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Shechem
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
Samaria
A watch-mountain or a watch-tower. In the heart of the mountains of Israel, a few miles north-west of Shechem, stands the “hill of Shomeron,” a solitary mountain, a great “mamelon.” It is an oblong hill, with steep but not inaccessible sides, and a long flat top. Omri, the king of Israel, purchased this hill from Shemer its owner for two talents of silver, and built on its broad summit the city to which he gave the name of “Shomeron”, i.e., Samaria, as the new capital of his kingdom instead of Tirzah (1 Kings 16:24). As such it possessed many advantages. Here Omri resided during the last six years of his reign. As the result of an unsuccessful war with Syria, he appears to have been obliged to grant to the Syrians the right to “make streets in Samaria”, i.e., probably permission to the Syrian merchants to carry on their trade…
(watch mountain). This city is situated 30 miles north of Jerusalem and about six miles to the northwest of Shechem, in a wide basin-shaped valley, six miles in diameter, encircled with high hills, almost on the edge of the great plain which borders upon the Mediterranean. In the centre of this basin, which is on a lower level than the valley of Shechem, rises a less elevated hill, with steep yet accessible sides and a long fiat top. This hill was chosen by Omri as the site of the capital of the kingdom of Israel. He "bought the hill of Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of the owner of the hill, Samaria." (1 Kings 16:23,24) From the that of Omri’s purchase, B.C. 925, Samaria retained its dignity as the capital of the ten tribes, and the…
1. One of the three divisions of the Holy Land in the time of our Savior, having Galilee on the north and Judea on the south, the Jordan on the east and the Mediterranean on the west, and occupying parts of the territory assigned at first to Ephraim, Mahasseh, and Issachar, Lu 17:11 Joh 4:4. It is described as having its hills less bare than those of Judea, and its valleys and plains more cultivated and fruitful. See CANAAN. Many gospel churches were early planted here, Ac 8:1,25 9:31 15:3.
2. A city situated near the middle of Palestine, some six miles northwest of Shechem. It was built by Omri king of Israel, about 920 B. C., and named after Shemer the previous owner of the mountain or hill on which the city stood, 1Ki…
watch-mountain
