Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Some people who passed by saw the body lying there, with the lion standing beside the body, and they went and reported it in the city where the old prophet lived. New Living Translation People who passed by saw the body lying in the road and the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported it in Bethel, where the old prophet lived. English Standard Version And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown in the road and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. Berean Standard Bible And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. Berean Literal Bible And behold, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road and the lion standing by the corpse. And they went and told it in the city in which the old prophet dwelt. King James Bible And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. New King James Version And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing by the corpse. Then they went and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. New American Standard Bible And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told about it in the city where the old prophet had lived. NASB 1995 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. NASB 1977 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. Legacy Standard Bible And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and spoke about it in the city where the old prophet lived. Amplified Bible And there were men passing by, and they saw the body thrown in the road, and the lion standing beside the body. So they came and told about it in the city [of Bethel] where the old prophet lived. Berean Annotated Bible And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. Christian Standard Bible There were men passing by who saw the corpse thrown on the road and the lion standing beside it, and they went and spoke about it in the city where the old prophet lived. Holman Christian Standard Bible There were men passing by who saw the corpse thrown on the road and the lion standing beside it, and they went and spoke about it in the city where the old prophet lived. American Standard Version And, behold, men passed by, and saw the body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Contemporary English Version Some people walked by and saw the body with the lion standing there. They ran into Bethel, telling everyone what they had seen. English Revised Version And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. GOD'S WORD® Translation People who passed by saw the body lying on the road and the lion standing by the body. They talked about it in the city where the old prophet was living. Good News Translation Some men passed by and saw the body on the road, with the lion standing near by. They went on into Bethel and reported what they had seen. International Standard Version When some men passed by and noticed the body lying in the middle of the road and the lion standing beside the body, they went straight to the city and told what had happened in the city where the old prophet lived. NET Bible Some men came by and saw the corpse lying in the road with the lion standing beside it. They went and reported what they had seen in the city where the old prophet lived. New Heart English Bible Look, men passed by, and saw the body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. Webster's Bible Translation And behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. World English Bible Behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the path, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd behold, men are passing by, and see the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing near the carcass, and they come and speak [of it] in the city in which the old prophet is dwelling. Berean Literal Bible And behold, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road and the lion standing by the corpse. And they went and told it in the city in which the old prophet dwelt. Young's Literal Translation And lo, men are passing by, and see the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing near the carcase, and they come and speak of it in the city in which the old prophet is dwelling. Smith's Literal Translation And behold, men passing by, and they will see the corpse cast in the way, and the lion standing by the corpse: and they will come and speak in he city where the prophet, the old man, dwelt in it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd behold, men passing by saw the dead body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city, wherein that old prophet dwelt. Catholic Public Domain Version And behold, men who were passing by saw the dead body lying in the road, with the lion standing beside the body. And they went and made it widely known in the city where that elderly prophet was living. New American Bible Some passersby saw the body lying in the road, with the lion standing beside it, and carried the news to the city where the old prophet lived. New Revised Standard Version People passed by and saw the body thrown in the road, with the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the town where the old prophet lived. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible- - - Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And, behold, men passed by and they saw the corpse which had been thrown onto the road, and the male donkey standing by its side and the lion standing by the side of the corpse, and they came and they told it in the city where the old Prophet lived. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Brenton Septuagint Translation And, behold, men were passing by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion was standing near the carcase: and they went in and spoke of it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Old Prophet and the Man of God…24As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. 25And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived. 26When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.”… Cross References And there were men passing by Mark 15:29 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads who saw the body lying in the road 2 Samuel 20:12 But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. Ezekiel 39:14-15 And men will be employed to continually pass through the land to cleanse it by burying the invaders who remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. / As they pass through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will set up a pillar next to it, until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog. Deuteronomy 21:23 you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. with the lion standing beside it 1 Kings 20:35-36 Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him. / 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. Judges 14:5-9 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, / and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. / Then Samson continued on his way down and spoke to the woman, because she was pleasing to his eyes. … Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” and they went and reported this in the city Mark 5:14-15 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. / When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Luke 8:34-35 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside. / So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 2 Kings 7:9-11 Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.” / So they went and called out to the gatekeepers of the city, saying, “We went to the Aramean camp and no one was there—not a trace—only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents were intact.” / The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported to the king’s household. where the old prophet lived. 1 Kings 12:29-31 One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. / Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. 2 Kings 2:2-5 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. / Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” / And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. … Amos 7:12-13 And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah; earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. / But never prophesy at Bethel again, because it is the sanctuary of the king and the temple of the kingdom.” 2 Kings 23:17-18 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.” / “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. Treasury of Scripture And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelled. Jump to Previous Body Carcase Carcass Cast City Dwelling Dwelt Lion News Passed Passing Prophet Reported Road Side Speak Standing Stretched Thrown WayJump to Next Body Carcase Carcass Cast City Dwelling Dwelt Lion News Passed Passing Prophet Reported Road Side Speak Standing Stretched Thrown Way1 Kings 13 1. Jeroboam's hand withers6. 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 And there were men passing by This phrase indicates the presence of witnesses to the event, which is significant in biblical narratives for establishing the credibility of the account. In ancient Israel, the testimony of multiple witnesses was crucial for verifying events (Deuteronomy 19:15). The presence of these men underscores the public nature of the incident, ensuring that the miraculous and unusual circumstances would be widely known. who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man of GodA prophet from Judah who disobeyed God's command not to eat or drink in Bethel and was subsequently killed by a lion as a consequence of his disobedience. 2. The Lion An instrument of God's judgment, standing by the body of the man of God, symbolizing divine intervention and the seriousness of disobedience. 3. The Donkey The animal the man of God rode, which remained unharmed and stood by the lion and the body, highlighting the miraculous nature of the event. 4. The Passersby Men who witnessed the scene and reported it, serving as messengers to spread the news of the man of God's fate. 5. The Old Prophet A prophet from Bethel who deceived the man of God into disobeying God's command, indirectly leading to his death. Teaching Points The Seriousness of ObedienceDisobedience to God's commands can have severe consequences. The man of God's fate serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to God's instructions. God's Sovereignty in Judgment The presence of the lion and the unharmed donkey illustrates God's control over creation and His ability to use it to fulfill His purposes. The Role of Witnesses The passersby who reported the incident highlight the importance of bearing witness to God's actions and sharing them with others. The Danger of Deception The old prophet's deception serves as a warning to be discerning and to test the spirits, ensuring that guidance aligns with God's word. Miraculous Signs as Messages The unusual scene of the lion and donkey standing by the body is a divine sign meant to convey a message, encouraging us to seek understanding in God's actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 13:25?2. How does 1 Kings 13:25 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from the events in 1 Kings 13? 4. How does this verse connect with the theme of divine judgment in Scripture? 5. How should believers respond when witnessing God's judgment, as seen in 1 Kings 13:25? 6. What steps can we take to ensure obedience to God's commands today? 7. Why did God allow the lion to kill the man of God in 1 Kings 13:25? 8. What is the significance of the lion and donkey standing by the body in 1 Kings 13:25? 9. How does 1 Kings 13:25 challenge the concept of divine protection for God's messengers? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 13? 11. How does 1 Kings 13 align with other biblical passages where faithful prophets are protected rather than misled or punished? 12. In 1 Kings 13:24-28, how can we reconcile the lion's unnatural behavior with known animal instincts? 13. In 1 Kings 13:18-19, why would God allow His prophet to be deceived by another prophet's false claim of angelic guidance? 14. Jeremiah 5:6 - How is this threat of wild animals attacking people scientifically or historically credible, given the period's recorded encounters with such creatures? What Does 1 Kings 13:25 Mean And there were men passing by- The appearance of casual travelers underscores how God often brings unexpected witnesses to His acts (cf. Luke 10:31–32, where passersby see the wounded man). - Their presence ensures that what happened to the disobedient man of God will not remain hidden, echoing Numbers 32:23, “be sure your sin will find you out.” who saw the body lying in the road - The corpse lies openly, a visual testimony to divine judgment (Deuteronomy 28:26). - The road, a place of movement and commerce, becomes a stage for God’s warning to all who pass. - Like the lifeless sons of Eli (1 Samuel 4:17–18), the sight confirms that God’s word of judgment spoken earlier (1 Kings 13:21–22) has been literally fulfilled. with the lion standing beside it - The lion has killed but not devoured, showing precise, selective judgment (Judges 14:5–6, where Samson’s lion is torn apart; here the lion restrains itself). - Its posture guards the scene, preventing scavengers or curiosity seekers from disturbing the evidence—much like the angels who kept watch at Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:2–4). - The untouched donkey nearby (v. 24) and the stationary lion highlight supernatural control; nature obeys its Creator even when the prophet did not (Psalm 104:21). and they went and reported this - Immediate reporting reflects responsible witness-bearing, reminiscent of the shepherds who “made known the statement” about Christ’s birth (Luke 2:17). - Their testimony spreads the seriousness of violating God’s clear instruction, reinforcing Proverbs 14:15, “The prudent give thought to their steps.” - News travels quickly, ensuring the old prophet—and eventually the whole region—must face God’s word. in the city where the old prophet lived - God directs the report back to the very man whose deception led to the tragedy (v. 18), confronting him with the consequences of his lie (Galatians 6:7). - The city becomes accountable, echoing Ezekiel 3:18–19, where hearing a warning imposes responsibility to act. - The stage is set for the old prophet’s repentance and public acknowledgment of God’s righteous judgment (v. 30–32). summary 1 Kings 13:25 records random travelers witnessing a divinely orchestrated scene: a dead prophet, a restrained lion, and an untouched donkey. Their report ensures the wider community—and especially the deceptive old prophet—recognizes that God’s word is unbreakable, His judgments precise, and His warnings meant to be heeded. Verse 25. - And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. [This was precisely what God had designed. By this means, the very disobedience and death of the man of God became a part of the protest against the new rites. "For if the partaking of food against the commandment of God, though the result not of indulgence, but of deceit, brought so great a punishment upon a righteous man, what sort of chastisements would befall those who had left God their Maker and were worshipping senseless images" (Theodoret.)]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And there wereוְהִנֵּ֧ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! men אֲנָשִׁ֣ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person passing by עֹבְרִ֗ים (‘ō·ḇə·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on who saw וַיִּרְא֤וּ (way·yir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see the body הַנְּבֵלָה֙ (han·nə·ḇê·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol lying מֻשְׁלֶ֣כֶת (muš·le·ḵeṯ) Verb - Hofal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away in the road בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action with וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the lion הָ֣אַרְיֵ֔ה (hā·’ar·yêh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 738: A lion standing עֹמֵ֖ד (‘ō·mêḏ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations beside אֵ֣צֶל (’ê·ṣel) Preposition Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity it, הַנְּבֵלָ֑ה (han·nə·ḇê·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol and they went וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and reported this וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue in the city בָעִ֔יר (ḇā·‘îr) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement where אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the old הַזָּקֵ֖ן (haz·zā·qên) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2205: Old prophet הַנָּבִ֥יא (han·nā·ḇî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet lived. יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry Links 1 Kings 13:25 NIV1 Kings 13:25 NLT 1 Kings 13:25 ESV 1 Kings 13:25 NASB 1 Kings 13:25 KJV 1 Kings 13:25 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 13:25 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 13:25 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 13:25 French Bible 1 Kings 13:25 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 13:25 Behold men passed by and saw (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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