And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

1 KINGS 20:23KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 20:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:23 mean?

1 Kings 20:23 describes how the advisers of the king of Syria believed that Israel’s gods were only powerful in the hills, so they suggested fighting Israel on the plains instead, thinking they would have the advantage there. The verse shows the Syrians trying to explain their earlier defeat and planning a new strategy based on their beliefs about Israel’s gods.

In this verse, the "servants" of the king of Syria are speaking to their king after losing a battle to Israel. They assume that the God of Israel is limited to certain places—specifically, the hills (mountainous areas)—and that fighting on flat land (the plain) would give Syria the upper hand. This reflects a common ancient belief that gods had power only in certain locations.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:23

  • "gods" (אֱלֹהִים, ʾelohim): This word is used twice in the verse and can mean "gods" or "God." Here, the Syrians are talking about Israel’s deity as if there were multiple local gods, showing their misunderstanding of Israel’s faith.
  • "hills" (הָרִים, harim): Refers to the mountainous regions where the first battle took place. The Syrians believed these areas were under the special protection of Israel’s god(s).
  • "plain" (מִישׁוֹר, mishor): Means flat land or open country. The Syrians thought that by changing the battlefield to the plain, they would be stronger because they believed Israel’s god(s) would not be as effective there.
  • "stronger" (חָזַק, chazaq): Used twice, meaning to be strong or prevail. The Syrians are trying to figure out why they lost and believe the location determined which side was stronger.

Why 1 Kings 20:23 matters

  • This verse highlights how ancient peoples often thought of gods as being tied to specific places, which contrasts with the biblical view of God’s power being unlimited.
  • The Syrians’ reasoning sets up the next part of the story, where God will show that He is not limited by geography, teaching both Israel and Syria an important lesson.
  • Understanding the Syrians’ mindset helps explain why the following events in the chapter unfold as they do, especially God’s response to prove His sovereignty everywhere.

Where else these words appear

“but” Hebrew H199 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
  • 1 Samuel 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

“plain” Hebrew H4334 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • 1 Kings 20:25 And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
  • Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

“surely” Hebrew H3808 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • Psalms 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.