1 Kings 16:21 At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri.

◄ 1 Kings 16:21 ►

New International Version
Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri.

New Living Translation
But now the people of Israel were split into two factions. Half the people tried to make Tibni son of Ginath their king, while the other half supported Omri.

English Standard Version
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

Berean Standard Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri.

King James Bible
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

New King James Version
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

New American Standard Bible
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri.

NASB 1995
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri.

NASB 1977
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri.

Amplified Bible
Then the people of Israel were divided in half. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and the other half followed Omri.

Christian Standard Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided: half the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided: half the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

American Standard Version
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

Contemporary English Version
After Zimri died, some of the Israelites wanted Tibni son of Ginath to be king, but others wanted Omri.

English Revised Version
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the army of Israel was divided into two factions. Half of the army followed Tibni, son of Ginath, and wanted to make him king. The [other] half followed Omri.

Good News Translation
The people of Israel were divided: some of them wanted to make Tibni son of Ginath king, and the others were in favor of Omri.

International Standard Version
The army of Israel was divided into two parties: half of the army were loyal to Ginath's son Tibni and wanted to make him king, and half were loyal to Omri.

Majority Standard Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri.

NET Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided in their loyalties. Half the people supported Tibni son of Ginath and wanted to make him king; the other half supported Omri.

New Heart English Bible
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

World English Bible
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Then the sons of Israel are parted into halves; half of the people have been after Tibni son of Ginath to cause him to reign, and the [other] half after Omri;

Young's Literal Translation
Then are the sons of Israel parted into halves; half of the people hath been after Tibni son of Ginath to cause him to reign, and the half after Omri;

Smith's Literal Translation
Then the people of Israel will be divided to half: half of the people were after Tibni, son of Ginath, to make him king; and half, after Omri.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: one half of the people followed Thebni the son of Gineth, to make him king: and one half followed Amri.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: one half part of the people followed Tibni, the son of Ginath, having appointed him as king, and one half part followed Omri.

New American Bible
At that time the people of Israel were divided in two, half following Tibni, son of Ginath, to make him king, and half for Omri.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts; half of the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king, and half followed Omri.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then the people of Israel was divided; a division of half of the people was after Tabni son of Genyath to make him King, and half after Amri.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the people of Israel divides; half the people goes after Thamni the son of Gonath to make him king; and half the people goes after Ambri.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Omri Reigns in Israel
21At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri. 22But the followers of Omri proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 12:16-20
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...

2 Samuel 2:8-9
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.

2 Kings 14:21
Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

2 Chronicles 10:16-19
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Kings 15:30
Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 22:1
Then the people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, the youngest son of Jehoram, king in his place, since the raiders who had come into the camp with the Arabs had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.

2 Kings 23:30
From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

2 Chronicles 36:1
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

1 Kings 11:26-40
Now Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother was a widow named Zeruah. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon, but he rebelled against the king, / and this is the account of his rebellion against the king. Solomon had built the supporting terraces and repaired the gap in the wall of the city of his father David. / Now Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. So when Solomon noticed that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph. ...

2 Kings 9:14-16
Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, / but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” / Then Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram was laid up there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.

2 Chronicles 13:17
Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Kings 8:16-22
In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab over Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat succeeded his father as king of Judah. / Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. / And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD. ...

Treasury of Scripture

Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

divided

1 Kings 16:8,29
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years…

1 Kings 15:25,28
And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years…

Proverbs 28:2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

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Cause Divided Division Factions Followed Ginath Half Halves Israel Making Omri Parted Parts Reign Split Supported Supporting Tibni

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Cause Divided Division Factions Followed Ginath Half Halves Israel Making Omri Parted Parts Reign Split Supported Supporting Tibni

1 Kings 16

1. Jehu's prophecy against Baasha
5. Elah succeeds him
8. Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him
11. Zimri executes Jehu's prophecy
15. Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself
21. The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni
23. Omri builds Samaria
25. His wicked reign
27. Ahab succeeds him
29. Ahab's most wicked reign
34. Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho

Berean Study Bible

Then the people of Israel
This phrase refers to the collective nation of Israel, which at this time was the Northern Kingdom, distinct from Judah in the south. The division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign led to a series of tumultuous events, highlighting the instability and spiritual decline that often accompanied political fragmentation. The Hebrew term for "people" here is "עַם" (am), which can denote a nation or community bound by common identity and purpose. This division among the people reflects a deeper spiritual disunity, as they had strayed from the covenantal faithfulness to Yahweh.

were divided into two factions
The division into "two factions" signifies a significant schism within the nation. The Hebrew root for "divided" is "חָלַק" (chalak), which can mean to split or to apportion. This division is not merely political but also spiritual, as it represents a departure from the unity that God desired for His people. Historically, such divisions often led to weakened defenses against external threats and internal moral decay, as seen throughout the narrative of the Kings.

half supported Tibni son of Ginath as king
Tibni, whose name means "straw" or "strawy," is a lesser-known figure in the biblical narrative, yet his mention here indicates a significant following. The support for Tibni suggests a faction within Israel that perhaps sought a return to certain traditional values or policies. The mention of his father, Ginath, though not much is known about him, implies a lineage or family influence that was significant enough to garner support. This reflects the often dynastic nature of leadership in ancient Israel, where familial ties could legitimize claims to the throne.

and the other half supported Omri
Omri, whose name means "pupil of Jehovah," would eventually become a significant king in Israel's history, establishing a dynasty that would have a lasting impact. The support for Omri indicates a competing vision for Israel's future, one that perhaps promised stability or military strength, as Omri was a commander of the army. His eventual success in this power struggle underscores the often violent and tumultuous nature of leadership transitions in the ancient Near East. Omri's reign would later be marked by significant building projects and political alliances, but also by spiritual compromise, as he continued the idolatrous practices that plagued Israel.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Tibni.--Of him we know nothing. No doubt he also was a military chief--possibly Zimri's colleague, under the supreme command of Omri--and the LXX. speaks of a brother, Joram, who fought and fell with him. There is an ominous significance in the terse description of the alternatives of fortune in this internecine struggle, "so Tibni died, and Omri reigned." By comparison of 1Kings 16:23 with 1Kings 16:15, it appears that the struggle had lasted four years.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: halt of the people followed [lit., was after. Same expression 2 Samuel 2:10; cf. 1 Kings 1:7] Tibni the son of Ginath [Who he was, or why he was set up in opposition to Omri, it is impossible to say. It has been supposed that the army was divided in its preferences, and that part of the soldiery wished to make Tibni king, and this is perhaps the most probable conjecture. It is to be considered that the entire army was not encamped before Gibbethon. Nor are vers. 16, 17 fatal to this view, as Bahr maintains, because "all Israel" there clearly means all the army under the command of Omri. It is hardly likely that Tibni was set up by the people of Tirzah, after the death of Zimri, to continue the struggle. The only thing that is certain is that,the hereditary principle being overthrown, the crown appeared to be the legitimate prize of the strongest; and Tibni, who may have occupied a position of importance, or have had, somehow, a considerable following, resolved that Omri should not wear it without a fierce contest], to make him king [Omri had been already made king, i.e., anointed, ver. 16]; and half renewed Omri.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

At that time
אָ֧ז (’āz)
Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

the people
הָעָ֥ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

were divided:
יֵחָלֵ֛ק (yê·ḥā·lêq)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

Half
לַחֵ֑צִי (la·ḥê·ṣî)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

of the people
הָעָ֜ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

supported
הָ֠יָה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Tibni
תִבְנִ֤י (ṯiḇ·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8402: Tibni -- a rival of Omri

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ginath
גִּינַת֙ (gî·naṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1527: Ginath -- an Israelite

as king,
לְהַמְלִיכ֔וֹ (lə·ham·lî·ḵōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and half
וְהַחֲצִ֖י (wə·ha·ḥă·ṣî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

supported
אַחֲרֵ֥י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

Omri.
עָמְרִֽי׃ (‘ā·mə·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6018: Omri -- a king of Israel, also several other Israelites

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OT History: 1 Kings 16:21 Then were the people of Israel divided (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)