Definition: And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and menâs bones shall be burnt upon thee.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 1 Kings 13:2. It’s a really important and complex verse in the Old Testament, and it speaks about a significant shift in how God intends to handle wealth and land within Israel. Here’s an explanation broken down into simpler terms: What is Happening? Basically, this verse describes a period of intense rebuilding and redistribution of land – specifically, the land belonging to the wealthy and powerful families of Israel (like Josiah). God is saying that one child will be born to David’s house. And this child will be offered as a sacrifice to God. Let's unpack the key parts: "And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD..." - This means God is expressing his displeasure and calling out to the people. He’s not just talking about it; He’s actively criticizing something. "...and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD..." – This is a powerful command from God. It's like a formal reprimand. "Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name..." - This is the core of the verse. It’s stating that a child will be born to the house of David (who was a very important king in ancient Israel). And it names him “Josiah.” "...and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and menâs bones shall be burnt upon thee." – This is where it gets really strange and symbolic. Here's what’s happening: “Offer the priests of the high places…” - The priests were the highest-ranking officials in the temple, responsible for performing rituals and sacrifices to God. “…that burn incense upon thee…” - This means they would be making offerings (incense) to the altar. "...and menâs bones shall be burnt upon thee." – This is the most shocking part! It suggests that everyone who has accumulated wealth and land – including the very wealthy families of Israel – will be subjected to a ritualistic burning of their possessions, including their bodies. This was meant to be a terrifying warning about the consequences of greed and injustice. What's the Significance ? This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy about a time when the Israelites would become incredibly rich and powerful. God wants to ensure that this wealth isn’t hoarded by a small group, but distributed equally amongst all people. It was a way for God to control the flow of resources and prevent them from becoming too concentrated in the hands of a few. It was also a warning about potential dangers arising from excessive wealth and power. Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there's a lot of debate among biblical scholars about its exact meaning. Different interpretations exist, but it’s generally understood as a foreshadowing of a period of significant upheaval and redistribution of land in Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Compare this verse to another biblical story or concept?