Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

1 KINGS 15:30KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 15:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 15:30 mean?

1 Kings 15:30 explains that the downfall and punishment described in this part of Israel’s history happened because of Jeroboam’s sins—specifically, the wrongs he committed and led the people of Israel into, which made the LORD angry. The verse points to Jeroboam’s actions as the reason for God’s anger and the resulting consequences for Israel.

This verse is part of a summary explaining why God allowed judgment to come upon Jeroboam’s family and the northern kingdom. The writer is looking back and making it clear that Jeroboam’s choices, and the way he influenced the whole nation to sin, were the direct cause of God’s anger and the troubles that followed. The focus is on personal and national responsibility for turning away from God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 15:30

  • "sins" (חַטָּאָה, chattā’āh): This word refers to offenses or wrongdoings, especially in a moral or religious sense. The verse uses it to highlight that Jeroboam’s actions were not just mistakes but serious violations.
  • "provocation" (כַּעַס, ka‘as): This word means provoking or stirring up anger. Here, it stresses that Jeroboam’s actions were not neutral; they actively stirred up the LORD’s anger.
  • "anger" (כָּעַס, ka‘as): This is closely related to "provocation" and carries the idea of being deeply offended or angered. The repetition of this root word underlines how strongly God reacted to Jeroboam’s behavior.

Why 1 Kings 15:30 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the troubles facing Israel were not random or unfair but were a direct result of specific choices made by Jeroboam and the people he led.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of leading others into wrongdoing, showing that leaders’ actions can have widespread consequences.
  • By connecting the nation’s fate to Jeroboam’s sins, the verse ties personal responsibility to national destiny, a theme that runs throughout the books of Kings.

Where else these words appear

“provocation” Hebrew H3708 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
  • Job 10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
  • Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

“anger” Hebrew H3707 · used in 53 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
  • 2 Kings 17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
  • Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Kings 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.