But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

1 KINGS 21:25KJV
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1 Kings 21:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 21:25 mean?

1 Kings 21:25 says that there was no one like Ahab, who gave himself over completely to doing evil in the LORD’s sight, pushed on by his wife Jezebel. The verse highlights how Ahab’s actions were unusually bad, and that Jezebel played a major role in encouraging him toward wickedness.

This verse is a summary comment in the story of King Ahab of Israel, made by the writer of 1 Kings. It comes after the account of Ahab’s involvement in the death of Naboth and the taking of Naboth’s vineyard. The statement emphasizes both Ahab’s personal responsibility and Jezebel’s influence, showing how their partnership led to extreme wrongdoing from the perspective of the biblical author.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 21:25

  • "Sell" (מָכַר, mākar) means to hand oneself over or to give oneself up, often for a price. Here, it paints a picture of Ahab willingly surrendering himself to evil, as if he made a deal to do wrong.
  • "Wickedness" (רַע, ra‘) refers to what is evil or morally bad. The word stresses the seriousness of Ahab’s actions, not just mistakes but deliberate wrongdoing.
  • "Stirred up" (סוּת, sūth) means to incite, provoke, or push someone into action. The verse uses this to show that Jezebel was not just a passive partner but actively encouraged Ahab’s choices.

Why 1 Kings 21:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Ahab’s reputation for evil was not just due to his own choices, but also because of Jezebel’s strong influence on him.
  • It connects the events of Naboth’s vineyard and other stories about Ahab to a bigger pattern of behavior, not just isolated incidents.
  • The verse helps explain why later biblical writers and traditions remember Ahab and Jezebel as examples of extreme wickedness in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 2 Kings 18:32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

“Jezebel” Hebrew H348 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
  • 1 Kings 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
  • 2 Kings 9:7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

“sell” Hebrew H4376 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Leviticus 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
  • Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

“Ahab” Hebrew H256 · used in 81 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
  • 2 Kings 9:8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel: