And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

1 KINGS 13:4KJV
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1 Kings 13:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 13:4 mean?

1 Kings 13:4 describes how King Jeroboam reacted with anger and authority when he heard the warning from the man of God about the altar at Bethel. Jeroboam tried to have the prophet seized, but as he stretched out his hand to give the order, his hand suddenly became paralyzed and he could not pull it back.

The verse takes place during a confrontation at the altar in Bethel, where Jeroboam, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel, hears a prophecy against his altar from a man of God. Jeroboam’s command to "Lay hold on him" shows his attempt to silence or punish the prophet, but the sudden withering of his hand is a dramatic sign that God’s power is greater than the king’s authority. This moment highlights the seriousness of the prophet’s message and the immediate consequences of opposing God’s warning.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 13:4

  • "Hand" (יָד, yad): This word is used twice in the verse, emphasizing Jeroboam’s physical action and the direct consequence he suffers. The hand, often a symbol of power or action, becomes powerless, showing a reversal of authority.
  • "Dried up" (יָבֵשׁ, yavesh): This word means to become dried, withered, or paralyzed. The sudden change in Jeroboam’s hand is not just discomfort but a visible, disabling judgment.
  • "Lay hold" (תָּפַשׂ, taphas): This verb means to seize or capture. Jeroboam’s command is forceful, showing he intended to arrest or harm the prophet, not just remove him.

Why 1 Kings 13:4 matters

  • The verse clarifies that even a king’s authority is limited when it comes into conflict with God’s will, as shown by Jeroboam’s powerless hand.
  • The dramatic sign serves as immediate proof that the prophet’s message is not empty talk but carries real, divine backing.
  • This event sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, showing that God’s warnings are serious and that opposing them brings real consequences, even for those in power.