1 Kings 21:6
New International Version
He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

New Living Translation
“I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or trade it, but he refused!” Ahab told her.

English Standard Version
And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’”

King James Bible
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

New King James Version
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So he said to her, “It is because I was speaking to Naboth the Jezreelite and saying to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in place of it.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

NASB 1995
So he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

NASB 1977
So he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

Amplified Bible
And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ But he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”

Christian Standard Bible
“Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,” he replied. “I told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I won’t give you my vineyard! ’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,” he replied. “I told him: Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you a vineyard in its place. But he said, ‘I won’t give you my vineyard!’”

American Standard Version
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

Contemporary English Version
"I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or to let me give him a better one," Ahab replied. "And he told me I couldn't have it."

English Revised Version
And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He told her, "I talked to Naboth from Jezreel. I said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard. Or, if you like, I'll give you another vineyard for it.' But he said, 'I won't give you my vineyard.'"

Good News Translation
He answered, "Because of what Naboth said to me. I offered to buy his vineyard or, if he preferred, to give him another one for it, but he told me that I couldn't have it!"

International Standard Version
"I asked Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard for cash, or if you want, I'll give you a better one in its place.' But he refused. He told me, 'I won't give you my vineyard!'"

Majority Standard Bible
Ahab answered, ?Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ?Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.? And he replied, ?I will not give you my vineyard!??

NET Bible
He answered her, "While I was talking to Naboth the Jezreelite, I said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard for silver, or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not sell you my vineyard.'"

New Heart English Bible
He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' He answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it pleaseth thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

World English Bible
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ He answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to her, “Because I speak to Naboth the Jezreelite, and say to him, Give your vineyard to me for money, or if you desire, I give a vineyard to you in its stead; and he says, I do not give my vineyard to you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto her, 'Because I speak unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and say to him, Give to me thy vineyard for money, or if thou desire, I give to thee a vineyard in its stead; and he saith, I do not give to thee my vineyard.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will speak to her, Because I shall speak to Naboth the Jezreelite and say to him, Thou shalt give to me thy vineyard for silver; or if thou art willing, I will give to thee a vineyard in its stead. And he will say, I will not give to thee my vineyard.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answered her: I spoke to Naboth the Jezrahelite, and said to him: Give me thy vineyard, and take money for it: or if it please thee, I will give thee a better vineyard for it. And he said: I will not give thee my vineyard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he responded to her: “I spoke to Naboth, the Jezreelite, and I said to him: ‘Give your vineyard to me, and accept money. Or if it pleases you, I will give to you a better vineyard, in place of it.’ And he said, ‘I will not give my vineyard to you.’ ”

New American Bible
He answered her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it’; but he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it, better than it; but he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He said to her: “Because I said to Nabuth, the Yizreilite, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, and if you choose, I shall give you a vineyard for it that is better than it.’ And he said to me:’I am not giving you my vineyard!’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto her: 'Because I spoke unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him: Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it; and he answered: I will not give thee my vineyard.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to her, Because I spoke to Nabuthai the Jezraelite, saying, Give me thy vineyard for money; or if thou wilt, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Naboth's Vineyard
5Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?” 6Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’” 7But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 12:9
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 11:14-15
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. / In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

2 Samuel 12:7-10
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. / I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. / Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. ...

2 Samuel 13:28-29
Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!” / So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the other sons of the king got up, and each one fled on his mule.

2 Kings 9:25-26
And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him: / ‘As surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday, declares the LORD, so will I repay you on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.’ Now then, according to the word of the LORD, pick him up and throw him on the plot of ground.”

2 Kings 9:30-37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...

Micah 6:16
You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Hosea 5:10
The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.

Matthew 14:3-11
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. ...

Matthew 27:3-5
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Matthew 27:24-26
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” / All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” / So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Mark 6:17-28
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” / So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, ...

Mark 15:15
And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give you my vineyard.

Because

1 Kings 21:2
And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

Esther 5:9-14
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai…

Esther 6:12
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

I will not give

1 Kings 21:3,4
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee…

Jump to Previous
Desire Give Jezreelite Jizreelite Money Naboth Please Pleases Pleaseth Pleasing Prefer Price Sell Speak Stead Talking Vine-Garden Vineyard
Jump to Next
Desire Give Jezreelite Jizreelite Money Naboth Please Pleases Pleaseth Pleasing Prefer Price Sell Speak Stead Talking Vine-Garden Vineyard
1 Kings 21
1. Ahab being denied Naboth's vineyard, is grieved
5. Jezebel writing letters against Naboth, he is condemned of blasphemy
15. Ahab take possession of the vineyard
17. Elijah denounces judgments against Ahab and Jezebel
25. Wicked Ahab repenting, God defers the judgment














He answered
This phrase introduces the response of King Ahab to his wife Jezebel. The Hebrew root for "answered" is עָנָה (anah), which often implies a response to a question or situation. In this context, it reflects Ahab's passive and somewhat defeated demeanor, setting the stage for Jezebel's manipulative actions. Historically, this interaction highlights the dynamics of power and influence within the royal household, where Ahab's weakness contrasts with Jezebel's assertiveness.

Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite
The mention of Naboth as "the Jezreelite" identifies him with the region of Jezreel, a fertile area known for its vineyards. The Hebrew name Naboth (נָבוֹת) means "fruits" or "produce," symbolizing his connection to the land. This phrase underscores the personal nature of the interaction, as Ahab directly approached Naboth, reflecting the king's desire for the vineyard. The historical context reveals the significance of land ownership in Israelite society, where land was not merely property but a divine inheritance.

and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver
Ahab's request to exchange the vineyard for silver indicates a transactional approach, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Hebrew word for "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) also means "money," emphasizing the material value Ahab places on the vineyard. This phrase highlights the tension between material wealth and spiritual inheritance, as Naboth's refusal is rooted in the belief that the land is a sacred trust from God, not to be sold.

or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’
Ahab's offer to provide another vineyard suggests a willingness to negotiate, yet it also reveals his misunderstanding of the spiritual significance of Naboth's land. The phrase "if you wish" implies a semblance of respect for Naboth's choice, though it ultimately reflects Ahab's self-interest. This part of the verse illustrates the broader biblical theme of covetousness and the moral implications of desiring what belongs to another.

But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’
Naboth's firm refusal is rooted in the Hebrew concept of land as a divine inheritance, as outlined in Leviticus 25:23, where God declares that the land must not be sold permanently. The phrase "I will not give you" reflects Naboth's steadfast adherence to God's law, despite the king's authority. This response serves as a testament to Naboth's faith and integrity, standing as a moral contrast to Ahab's covetousness and foreshadowing the tragic consequences of this encounter.

Verse 6. - And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him; Give me thy vineyard for money [Heb. silver]; or else, if it please [Heb. delight] thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered [Heb. said], I will not give thee my vineyard. [Ahab does not mention the reason which Naboth assigned for his refusal. But Naboth's reasons were nothing to him, and he had hardly given them a second thought.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

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

I spoke
אֲ֠דַבֵּר (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Naboth
נָב֨וֹת (nā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5022: Naboth -- a Jezreelite

the Jezreelite
הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִ֜י (hay·yiz·rə·‘ê·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3158: Jezreelite -- an inhabitant of Jezreel

and told
וָאֹ֣מַר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

him,
ל֗וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

‘Give
תְּנָה־ (tə·nāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me
לִּ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

your vineyard
כַּרְמְךָ֙ (kar·mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

for silver,
בְּכֶ֔סֶף (bə·ḵe·sep̄)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

or
א֚וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you
אַתָּ֔ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

wish,
חָפֵ֣ץ (ḥā·p̄êṣ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2655: Delighting in, having pleasure in

I will give
אֶתְּנָה־ (’et·tə·nāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לְךָ֥ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

[another] vineyard
כֶ֖רֶם (ḵe·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

in its place.’
תַּחְתָּ֑יו (taḥ·tāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

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

‘I will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

give
אֶתֵּ֥ן (’et·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

my vineyard!’?
כַּרְמִֽי׃ (kar·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard


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OT History: 1 Kings 21:6 He said to her Because I spoke (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 21:5
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