1 Kings 14:6 So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? For I have been sent to you with bad news.

◄ 1 Kings 14:6 ►

New International Version
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news.

New Living Translation
So when Ahijah heard her footsteps at the door, he called out, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you pretending to be someone else?” Then he told her, “I have bad news for you.

English Standard Version
But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you.

Berean Standard Bible
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? For I have been sent to you with bad news.

King James Bible
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

New King James Version
And so it was, when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps as she came through the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another person? For I have been sent to you with bad news.

New American Standard Bible
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you make yourself unrecognizable? Nevertheless, I am sent to you with a harsh message.

NASB 1995
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message.

NASB 1977
And it came about when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, that he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened as Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, that he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message.

Amplified Bible
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another woman? For I have been sent to you [by God] with a harsh message.

Christian Standard Bible
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? I have bad news for you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? I have bad news for you.

American Standard Version
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

Contemporary English Version
But when Ahijah heard her walking up to the door, he said: Come in! I know you're Jeroboam's wife--why are you pretending to be someone else? I have some bad news for you.

English Revised Version
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahijah heard her footsteps when she came into the room. He said, "Come in. You're Jeroboam's wife. Why are you pretending to be someone else? I've been told to give you some terrible news.

Good News Translation
But when Ahijah heard her coming in the door, he said, "Come in. I know you are Jeroboam's wife. Why are you pretending to be someone else? I have bad news for you.

International Standard Version
When she arrived, Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came through the doorway. He said this to her: "Come in, wife of Jeroboam. What is this pretension at being someone else? I have some harsh news.

Majority Standard Bible
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, ?Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? For I have been sent to you with bad news.

NET Bible
When Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps as she came through the door, he said, "Come on in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you pretending to be someone else? I have been commissioned to give you bad news.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, "Come in, you wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am sent to you with heavy news.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

World English Bible
So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, Jeroboam’s wife! Why do you pretend to be another? For I am sent to you with heavy news.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at Ahijah’s hearing the sound of her feet [as] she came to the opening, that he says, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why is this [that] you are making yourself strange? And I am sent to you [with] a sharp thing.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at Ahijah's hearing the sound of her feet as she came in to the opening, that he saith, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why is this -- thou art making thyself strange? and I am sent unto thee with a sharp thing:

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when Ahijah heard the voice of her feet coming into the door, and he will say, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; wherefore this thou dissemblest? and I send to thee hard things.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Ahias heard the sound of her feet coming in at the door, and said: Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam: why dost thou feign thyself to be another? But I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, entering through the door. And he said: “Enter, O wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be someone you are not? But I have been sent to you with harsh news.

New American Bible
So Ahijah, hearing the sound of her footsteps as she entered the door, said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why are you in disguise? For my part, I have been commissioned to give you bitter news.

New Revised Standard Version
But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with heavy tidings for you.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you disguise yourself? For I am sent to you with heavy tidings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Akhiah heard the sound of her feet when she came in at the gate, he said to her: “Enter, wife of Yorbaam. Why are you disguised? Also I am sent hard things concerning you.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said: 'Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam
…5But the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill. You are to say such and such to her, because when she arrives, she will be disguised.” 6So when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet entering the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam! Why are you disguised? For I have been sent to you with bad news. 7Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 9:19
“I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.

2 Kings 1:3-4
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.

2 Kings 5:26
But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?

2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

2 Kings 9:6
So Jehu got up and went into the house, where the young prophet poured the oil on his head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.

2 Kings 20:16
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD:

2 Chronicles 18:22
So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”

Isaiah 39:5
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts:

Jeremiah 28:9
As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.”

Ezekiel 14:4
Therefore speak to them and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to his great idolatry,

Amos 7:16
Now, therefore, hear the word of the LORD. You say: ‘Do not prophesy against Israel; do not preach against the house of Isaac.’

Matthew 10:26
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Mark 2:8
At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.

Luke 5:22
Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

Treasury of Scripture

And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, you wife of Jeroboam; why feign you yourself to be another? for I am sent to you with heavy tidings.

thou wife

Job 5:13
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Psalm 33:10
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

why feignest

1 Kings 14:2,5
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people…

Ezekiel 14:3-5,7,8
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? …

Luke 20:20-23
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor…

for I am

1 Kings 14:10,11
Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone…

1 Kings 13:20-22
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: …

1 Kings 20:42
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

heavy tidings [heb] hard tidings

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1 Kings 14

1. Abijah being sick,
2. Jeroboam sends his wife, disguised, with presents to the prophet Ahijah
5. Ahijah forewarned by God, denounces God's judgment
17. Abijah dies, and is buried
19. Nadab succeeds Jeroboam
21. Rehoboam's wicked reign,
25. Shishak raids Jerusalem
29. Abijam succeeds Rehoboam

Berean Study Bible

But when Ahijah heard
The prophet Ahijah, whose name means "brother of Yahweh" in Hebrew, plays a crucial role in the narrative of Israel's divided kingdom. His ability to hear, even in his old age and blindness, signifies spiritual insight and divine revelation. In the biblical context, hearing often symbolizes understanding and obedience to God's will. Ahijah's hearing is not merely physical but spiritual, indicating his attunement to God's voice and purposes.

the sound of her footsteps
The footsteps of Jeroboam's wife are significant as they mark the approach of deception. In ancient times, the sound of footsteps could denote the arrival of news or a messenger. Here, it underscores the impending revelation and confrontation. The subtlety of her approach contrasts with the directness of God's message through Ahijah, highlighting the futility of human schemes against divine omniscience.

at the door
The door represents a threshold, a place of transition between the outside world and the inner sanctum. In biblical symbolism, doors often signify opportunities or barriers to spiritual truth. Ahijah's awareness of her presence at the door suggests that God’s truth is about to be revealed, breaking through the barriers of deceit and pretense.

he said, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam
Ahijah's direct address to the wife of Jeroboam, despite her disguise, reveals the futility of attempting to hide from God. The use of her husband's name emphasizes her identity and the political implications of her visit. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, had led the people into idolatry, and his wife's visit to the prophet signifies a moment of divine judgment and truth.

Why this pretense?
The question posed by Ahijah cuts to the heart of the matter, exposing the deception. In Hebrew, the word for pretense can imply falsehood or hypocrisy. This rhetorical question serves as a divine indictment, reminding readers that God sees beyond outward appearances and judges the heart. It challenges believers to live authentically before God, without deceit.

I have been sent to you
Ahijah's declaration of being sent underscores the prophetic authority and divine commission. Prophets in the Old Testament were often sent by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, or hope. This phrase affirms that Ahijah's words are not his own but are divinely ordained, carrying the weight of God's authority and purpose.

with bad news
The phrase "bad news" is a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and sin. In the biblical narrative, bad news often accompanies divine judgment or the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. For Jeroboam's household, it signifies the impending judgment due to their idolatry and rebellion against God. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound [Heb. voice] of her feet as she came in [בָּאָה should strictly be plural, in agreement with רַגְלֶיהָ feet. It is in the singular, probably because the writer is thinking of the woman. But see Ewald, 317 a, and cf. 1 Samuel 4:15] at [Heb. in] the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? [Heb. makest thyself strange, as in ver. 5] for [the Heb. "and" brings out the meaning much better, which is, "Thou art cleverly playing a part, and I all the while have a message," etc.] I am sent to thee with heavy [same word as in 1 Kings 12:13; there translated rough] tidings. [Heb. omits. For the construction see Ewald, 284 c.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So
וַיְהִי֩ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when Ahijah
אֲחִיָּ֜הוּ (’ă·ḥî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 281: Ahijah -- 'brother of Yah', an Israelite name

heard
כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ (ḵiš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the sound
ק֤וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of her feet
רַגְלֶ֙יהָ֙ (raḡ·le·hā)
Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

entering
בָּאָ֣ה (bā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the door,
בַפֶּ֔תַח (ḇap·pe·ṯaḥ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

he said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Come in,
בֹּ֖אִי (bō·’î)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

wife
אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of Jeroboam!
יָרָבְעָ֑ם (yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings

Why
לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

are you
אַ֚תְּ (’at)
Pronoun - second person feminine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

disguised?
מִתְנַכֵּרָ֔ה (miṯ·nak·kê·rāh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

For I
וְאָ֣נֹכִ֔י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

[have been] sent
שָׁל֥וּחַ (šā·lū·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to you
אֵלַ֖יִךְ (’ê·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

[with] bad [news].
קָשָֽׁה׃ (qā·šāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186: Hard, severe

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OT History: 1 Kings 14:6 It was so when Ahijah heard (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)