And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah.

1 KINGS 16:17KJV
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1 Kings 16:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 16:17 mean?

1 Kings 16:17 describes how Omri, a commander in Israel, led the army from Gibbethon to lay siege to Tirzah, which was the royal city at that time. This verse shows Omri taking decisive military action, with the support of all Israel, to challenge the current ruler.

The setting is during a period of political turmoil in the northern kingdom of Israel. Omri is not yet king, but he is making a move against Zimri, who had just seized the throne in Tirzah. The verse highlights the shift in power and the seriousness of Omri’s campaign, as he brings the whole army and besieges the capital city.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 16:17

  • עָלָה (ʿalah, "up"): This Hebrew word is often used for going up to a higher place, both physically and in importance. Here, it suggests Omri’s movement was both a literal ascent and a significant step toward gaining power.
  • צָר (tsar, "besieged"): This word means to surround a city in order to capture it. The use of this term shows that Omri’s action was not just a show of force but a serious attempt to take control by cutting off Tirzah.

Why 1 Kings 16:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Omri had broad support from "all Israel," not just a small faction, which helps explain how he was able to become king soon after.
  • The mention of Tirzah as the target of the siege connects to earlier chapters, showing its importance as the capital before Samaria was built.
  • Understanding the military and political context helps make sense of the rapid changes in leadership during this period of Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Gibbethon” Hebrew H1405 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 19:44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,
  • Joshua 21:23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
  • 1 Kings 15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.

“Omri” Hebrew H6018 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:16 And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
  • 1 Kings 16:27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 1 Chronicles 7:8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.

“Tirzah” Hebrew H8656 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
  • 1 Kings 14:17 And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: and when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.

“besieged” Hebrew H6696 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 23:22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
  • 1 Kings 15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
  • Esther 8:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,