And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

1 KINGS 13:34KJV
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1 Kings 13:34 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 13:34 mean?

1 Kings 13:34 says that Jeroboam’s actions became a sin for his family, leading to their eventual destruction and removal from the earth. The verse makes clear that the consequences of Jeroboam’s choices were not just personal, but affected his entire household, resulting in their downfall.

This verse comes at the end of a story where Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, set up unauthorized worship practices. The “thing” refers to these actions, which the text calls “sin” (wrongdoing against God). The verse sums up the outcome: Jeroboam’s dynasty would be wiped out because of this sin, emphasizing how leadership decisions can have lasting, severe effects on descendants.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 13:34

  • דָּבָר (davar, “thing”): This word often means “matter” or “deed.” Here, it points to Jeroboam’s specific actions—setting up alternative worship—which are the focus of the judgment.
  • חֵטְא (chet’, “sin”): This word means wrongdoing or offense, especially against God. The verse stresses that Jeroboam’s actions were not just mistakes, but a serious breach with lasting consequences.
  • כָּרַת (karat, “cut off”): This verb means to cut off or remove. It underlines the total nature of the judgment—Jeroboam’s family line would not just suffer, but be completely ended.
  • שָׁמַד (shamad, “destroy”): This word means to destroy or annihilate. It adds to the sense of finality, showing that Jeroboam’s house would be wiped out entirely, not just diminished.

Why 1 Kings 13:34 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the consequences of Jeroboam’s choices were not limited to himself but extended to his whole family, highlighting the far-reaching impact of a leader’s actions.
  • The verse connects the specific sin of unauthorized worship directly to the downfall of Jeroboam’s dynasty, making the cause-and-effect relationship explicit.
  • It serves as a summary statement for the chapter, tying together the narrative of disobedience and its ultimate result, and setting up the later history of Israel’s kings.