1 Kings 13:9 For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.'"

◄ 1 Kings 13:9 ►

New International Version
For I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”

New Living Translation
For the LORD gave me this command: ‘You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.’”

English Standard Version
for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’”

Berean Standard Bible
For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’ ”

King James Bible
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.

New King James Version
For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water, nor return by the way that you came.’”

NASB 1995
“For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’”

NASB 1977
“For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
For so it was commanded me by the word of Yahweh, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’”

Amplified Bible
For I was commanded by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall not eat bread or drink water, nor shall you return by the way you came.’”

Christian Standard Bible
for this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat food or drink water or go back the way you came.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or go back the way you came.’”

American Standard Version
for so was it charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that thou camest.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said I can't eat or drink anything and that I can't go home the same way I came."

English Revised Version
for so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that thou camest.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the LORD spoke to me, he commanded me not to eat or drink or go back on the same road I took."

Good News Translation
The LORD has commanded me not to eat or drink a thing, and not to return home the same way I came."

International Standard Version
because the LORD commanded me specifically, 'You are not to eat bread, drink water, or return by the way that you came to arrive here!'"

Majority Standard Bible
For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”

NET Bible
For the LORD gave me strict orders, 'Do not eat or drink there and do not go home the way you came.'"

New Heart English Bible
for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that you came.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.

World English Bible
for so was it commanded me by Yahweh’s word, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, drink no water, and don’t return by the way that you came.’”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for so He commanded me by the word of YHWH, saying, You do not eat bread nor drink water, nor return in the way that you have come.”

Young's Literal Translation
for so He commanded me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou dost not eat bread nor drink water, nor turn back in the way that thou hast come.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus it was commanded me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou shalt not eat bread, and thou shalt not drink water, and thou shalt not turn back in the way which thou camest.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For so it was enjoined me by the word of the Lord commanding me: Thou shalt not eat bread nor drink water, nor return by the same way that thou camest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For so it was commanded to me by the word of the Lord, ordering: ‘You shall not eat bread, and you shall not drink water, nor shall you return by the way that you came.’ ”

New American Bible
For I was instructed by the word of the LORD: Do not eat bread or drink water, and do not return by the way you came.”

New Revised Standard Version
For thus I was commanded by the word of the LORD: You shall not eat food, or drink water, or return by the way that you came.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus LORD JEHOVAH commanded me in the word, and he said to me: ‘You shall not eat bread and you shall not drink water, and you shall not return on the road by which you came.’”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For it so was charged me by the word of the LORD, saying: Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that thou camest.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Eat no bread, and drink no water, and return not by the way by which thou camest.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jeroboam's Hand Withers
…8But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. 9For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” 10So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Numbers 22:12
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

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.

2 Kings 23:16-18
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. / 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.

Jeremiah 35:6-10
“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine. / Nor are you ever to build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Instead, you must live in tents all your lives, so that you may live a long time in the land where you wander.’ / And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives—neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters. ...

Ezekiel 3:17-21
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. / If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself. ...

Amos 7:14-17
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. / But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ / Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’ ...

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 10:14
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Mark 6:11
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”

Luke 9:5
If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”

Luke 9:23
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

Treasury of Scripture

For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that you came.

For

1 Kings 12:1,21,22
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king…

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Job 23:12
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Eat no bread

Numbers 16:26
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

Deuteronomy 13:13-18
Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; …

Psalm 141:4
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

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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

Berean Study Bible

For this is what I was commanded
The phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the prophet's mission. The Hebrew root for "commanded" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a direct order or charge given by a higher authority. In the biblical context, this highlights the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of God's instructions. The prophet's obedience to God's command is a central theme, emphasizing the importance of adhering to divine directives without deviation.

by the word of the LORD
This phrase signifies the divine communication received by the prophet. The "word" in Hebrew is דָּבָר (dabar), which can mean a matter, thing, or word. It is often used to denote God's revelation or message to His people. The "LORD" is the translation of the tetragrammaton YHWH, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This phrase assures the reader of the divine origin and authority of the message, reinforcing the prophet's role as a true messenger of God.

You must not eat bread or drink water
This command is a test of obedience and separation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and agreement. By forbidding the prophet to eat or drink, God is instructing him to remain separate from the idolatrous practices and people of the land. The Hebrew words for "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) and "water" (מַיִם, mayim) are basic sustenance, symbolizing the prophet's reliance on God alone for provision and strength during his mission.

or return by the way you came
This instruction emphasizes the need for a complete break from the past and a new direction in obedience to God. The Hebrew root for "return" is שׁוּב (shuv), which means to turn back or repent. This command can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and transformation, urging the prophet to not only deliver God's message but also to embody a life of change and obedience. The path he takes is symbolic of the new life and direction that comes from following God's will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Nor turn again . . .--The significance of this command is less obvious. It may have meant that he should not suffer the way of his return (which would clearly not be the obvious way) to be known, but should vanish swiftly, like the messenger of Elisha to Jehu (2Kings 9:3; 2Kings 9:10), when his work was done. If so, his neglect of the spirit of the command was the first step in the way of his destruction.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - For so was it charged [Heb. he, sc. the Lord, charged me] me by [Heb. in] the word of the Lord, saying, Fat no bread, nor drinkwater [Participation in food - the "eating salt" - is in the East a token of friendship and affinity; a sign of close communion and fellowship. The prophet's refusal to participate was consequently a practical and forcible disclaimer of all fellowship, a virtual excommunication, a public repudiation of the calf worshippers. Cf. 1 Corinthians 5:11, "With such an one, no, not to eat." As Corn. a Lapide," Ut ipso facto ostenderet, Bethelitas idololatras adeo esse detestabiles, et a Deo quasi excommunicates, ut nullum fidelium cum iis cibi vel potus communionem habere velit"], nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. [ the object of this command was not "simply to test the obedience of the prophet" (Rawlinson), nor yet that no one might "force him to a delay which was irreconcilable with his commission" (Keil), for that was practically executed, but to avoid as far as possible - what, indeed, happened in spite of these precautions - his being traced and followed. Because of this provision, the old prophet (ver. 10) was reduced to ask, "What way went he?" But the charge, we can hardly doubt,was also designed to serve another purpose, viz., to warn the prophet against doing what he did presently - against returning to Bethel. When he was followed, and when he was told of a revelation commanding his return, he should have remembered, among other things, that it had clearly been part of God's purpose, as evidenced by the explicit instructions given him, that he should not be followed. This alone should have led him to suspect this old prophet of deceit.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this is what
כֵ֣ן ׀ (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

I was commanded
צִוָּ֣ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

by the word
בִּדְבַ֤ר (biḏ·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD:
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

‘You must not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

eat
תֹ֥אכַל (ṯō·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

bread
לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

or drink
תִשְׁתֶּה־ (ṯiš·teh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

water
מָּ֑יִם (mā·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

or return
תָשׁ֔וּב (ṯā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

by the way
בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

you came.’”
הָלָֽכְתָּ׃ (hā·lā·ḵə·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

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OT History: 1 Kings 13:9 For so was it commanded me (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)