And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

1 KINGS 19:17KJV
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1 Kings 19:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 19:17 mean?

1 Kings 19:17 says that anyone who escapes being killed by Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and anyone who escapes Jehu will be killed by Elisha. This verse describes a sequence of judgment, showing that God’s plan for dealing with wrongdoing in Israel will be thorough and inescapable.

God is speaking to Elijah, the prophet, after Elijah’s discouragement and flight from Jezebel. God tells Elijah to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha as instruments of judgment against Israel’s unfaithfulness. Each person—Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha—will play a role in carrying out God’s justice, so that no one who deserves judgment will avoid it.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 19:17

  • "escapeth" (מָלַט, malat): This word means to slip away or escape. The verse repeats it to stress that even those who manage to avoid one wave of judgment will face another.
  • "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word refers to a literal sword, symbolizing violent judgment or execution. It highlights the seriousness and finality of the coming judgment.
  • "slay" (מוּת, muth): This verb means to kill or put to death. Its use here underlines that the judgment is not just symbolic but involves real consequences.

Why 1 Kings 19:17 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God’s judgment can be avoided by escaping one danger; it shows that God’s justice is complete and will reach everyone it is meant for.
  • 1 Kings 19:17 connects to the wider story by showing how God uses different people—foreign and Israelite leaders, and even a prophet—to accomplish His purposes.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is still in control, even when His prophet feels alone or defeated, and that God’s plans are carried out through specific people in history.

Where else these words appear

“Hazael” Hebrew H2371 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
  • 2 Kings 8:28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
  • 2 Kings 13:3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.

“Elisha” Hebrew H477 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
  • 2 Kings 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
  • 2 Kings 6:31 Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
  • 2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

“escapeth” Hebrew H4422 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
  • Esther 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
  • Isaiah 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.