1 Kings 13:12
New International Version
Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken.

New Living Translation
The old prophet asked them, “Which way did he go?” So they showed their father which road the man of God had taken.

English Standard Version
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

Berean Standard Bible
“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah.

King James Bible
And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

New King James Version
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah.

New American Standard Bible
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

NASB 1995
Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

NASB 1977
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

Legacy Standard Bible
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

Amplified Bible
Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” For his sons had seen which way the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

Christian Standard Bible
Then their father asked them, “Which way did he go? ” His sons had seen the way taken by the man of God who had come from Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” His sons had seen the way taken by the man of God who had come from Judah.

American Standard Version
And their father said unto them, What way went he? Now his sons had seen what way the man of God went, that came from Judah.

Contemporary English Version
"Show me which way he went," the old prophet said, and his sons pointed out the road.

English Revised Version
And their father said unto them, What way went he? Now his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
he said to them, "Which road did he take?" (His sons had seen which road the man of God from Judah had taken.)

Good News Translation
"Which way did he go when he left?" the old prophet asked them. They showed him the road

International Standard Version
"Which way did he go?" their father asked him, since his sons had observed the way that the man of God had taken to return to Judah from Bethel.

Majority Standard Bible
“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah.

NET Bible
Their father asked them, "Which road did he take?" His sons showed him the road the prophet from Judah had taken.

New Heart English Bible
Their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" Now his sons showed him the way the man of God went, who came from Judah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And their father said to them, What way went he? for his sons had seen what way the man of God went, who came from Judah.

World English Bible
Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen which way the man of God went, who came from Judah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And their father says to them, “Where [is] this—the way he has gone?” And his sons see the way that the man of God who came from Judah has gone.

Young's Literal Translation
And their father saith unto them, 'Where is this -- the way he hath gone?' and his sons see the way that the man of God hath gone who came from Judah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And their father will speak to them, What way went he? and his sons will see the way that the man of God went who came from Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And their father said to them: What way went he? His sons shewed him the way by which the man of God went, who came out of Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And their father said to them, “By which way did he depart?” His sons showed him the way by which the man of God, who had come from Judah, had departed.

New American Bible
the father asked them, “Which way did he go?” So his sons pointed out to him the road taken by the man of God who had come from Judah.

New Revised Standard Version
Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And their father said to them: “By what road did he go?” And his sons told him the road by which the Prophet of God went who came from Yehuda.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And their father said unto them: 'What way went he?' For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, that came from Judah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And their father spoke to them, saying, Which way went he? and his sons shew him the way by which the man of God who came out of Juda went up.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Old Prophet and the Man of God
11Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king. 12“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. 13So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:17
Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.”

1 Kings 20:36
Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him.

2 Kings 23:18
“Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.

2 Kings 23:15-16
He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. / And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.

Jeremiah 23:14
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”

2 Kings 17:23
Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day.

2 Kings 17:21
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

2 Kings 17:20
So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

2 Kings 17:19
and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.


Treasury of Scripture

And their father said to them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

Jump to Previous
Judah Road Showed Way
Jump to Next
Judah Road Showed Way
1 Kings 13
1. Jeroboam's hand withers
6. and at the prayer of the prophet is restored
7. The prophet departs from Bethel
11. An old prophet brings him back
20. He is reproved by God
23. slain by a lion
26. buried by the old prophet
31. who confirms the prophecy
33. Jeroboam's obstinacy














Their father asked them
This phrase introduces us to the father, who is the old prophet residing in Bethel. The context here is crucial as it sets the stage for the unfolding events. The father’s inquiry indicates a sense of urgency and curiosity. In the Hebrew context, the role of a father is significant, often seen as a figure of authority and wisdom. This inquiry suggests a deeper spiritual curiosity or concern about the man of God’s actions and message.

Which way did he go?
This question reflects a desire to pursue or understand the man of God’s journey. In the Hebrew tradition, the "way" often symbolizes one's path in life or spiritual journey. The old prophet’s question may imply a deeper search for truth or a desire to connect with the divine message delivered by the man of God. It also highlights the importance of direction and guidance in spiritual matters.

And his sons had seen
The sons of the old prophet play a crucial role as witnesses. In ancient Israelite culture, the testimony of witnesses was vital for establishing truth. Their observation provides the necessary information for the father to act. This phrase underscores the importance of being observant and aware of God’s workings around us.

which way the man of God
The "man of God" is a title that denotes a person who is a messenger or prophet of the Lord. This title is significant as it establishes the authority and divine commission of the individual. In the historical context, prophets were revered as spokespeople for God, and their actions and words carried weight and significance.

who had come from Judah
This geographical reference is important as it highlights the origin of the man of God. Judah was the southern kingdom, and its mention here may imply a contrast or tension between the northern kingdom of Israel and Judah. It also emphasizes the man of God’s journey and mission, coming from a place known for its association with the Davidic line and covenantal promises.

had gone
The past tense here indicates that the man of God had already set out on his journey. This movement is symbolic of obedience and mission. In the broader biblical narrative, going or moving often signifies a response to God’s call or command. It reflects the dynamic nature of faith, which requires action and trust in God’s leading.

Verse 12. - And their father said unto them, What way went he? [The question shows that the old prophet throughly understood the import of those "words," and that his first thought was that the interdict must be removed at any cost.] For his sons had seen [Heb. and his sons saw, or showed. LXX. δεικνύουσιν. Similarly most of the versions. A very slight change in the vowel points ויּרַאְוּ for ויּרִאוַּ would give this sense] what way the man of God went which came from Judah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Which
אֵֽי־ (’ê-)
Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

way
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

did he go?”
הָלָ֑ךְ (hā·lāḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

their father
אֲבִיהֶ֔ם (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

asked.
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

And his sons
בָנָ֗יו (ḇā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

had seen
וַיִּרְא֣וּ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

the way
הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

taken
הָלַךְ֙ (hā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

by the man
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God,
הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had come
בָּ֖א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from Judah.
מִיהוּדָֽה׃ (mî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Kings 13:12 Their father said to them Which way (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 13:11
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