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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible
Acts 12:23
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Right then, an angel of God came down and struck Herod down with a sickness. Herod had accepted the worship of these people and God showed him what happens to people who think they are equal to him. Herod fell down in front of everyone and was eaten by worms as they watched.
And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
And straight away the angel of the Lord sent a disease on him, because he did not give the glory to God: and his flesh was wasted away by worms, and so he came to his end.
And immediately an angel of [the] Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he expired, eaten of worms.
Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he became infected with worms and died.
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms, and he died.
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and being eaten by worms, he expired.
Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died.
And immediatly the Angel of the Lord smote him, because hee gaue not God the glory, and hee was eaten of wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.
And instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, his soul went out.
Immediatly the angell of the LORDE smote him, because he gaue not God the honoure: And he was eaten vp of wormes, and gaue vp the goost.
but at the instant an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not glorify God: so that he became a prey to worms and died. In the mean time, the
That was the last straw. God had had enough of Herod's arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything. Down he went. Rotten to the core, a maggoty old man if there ever was one, he died.
And at once an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory [and instead permitted himself to be worshiped], and he was eaten by worms and died [five days later].
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.
And immediatly the angell of ye Lorde smote him because he gave not God the honoure and he was eatyn of wormes and gave vp the goost.
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten by worms, and died.
and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.
Because Herod did not give the glory to God, an angel of the Lord immediately caused him to become sick, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.
At once an angel from the Lord struck him down because he took the honor that belonged to God. Later, Herod was eaten by worms and died.
At once, because Herod did not give the glory to God, an angel of Adonai struck him down. He was eaten away by worms and died.
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
But immediatly the Angel of the Lorde smote him, because he gaue not glorie vnto God, so that he was eaten of wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.
And because he did not give the glory to God, in that very hour an angel of the LORD smote him, and he was eaten by disease and died.
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms, and he died.
Immediately the angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.1 Samuel 25:38; 2 Samuel 24:17; Psalm 115:1;">[xr]
And on this account, because he gave not the glory to Aloha, in that hour the angel of the Lord smote him, and he was corroded with worms, and died.
And, because he gave not the glory to God, immediately the angel of God smote him; and he was eaten of worms, and died.
Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
The angel of the Lord knocked him down because he did not give honor to God. He was eaten by worms and died.
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
And, instantly, there smote him, a messenger of the Lord, because he gave not the glory unto God; and, becoming worm-eaten, he expired.
And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and, being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give the glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
And immediatly the Angel of ye Lorde smote hym, because he gaue not God ye honour, & he was eaten of wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.
Herod did not give the glory to God. So an angel of the Lord caused him to get sick. He was eaten by worms inside him, and he died.
And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
At once the angel of the Lord struck Herod down, because he did not give honor to God. He was eaten by worms and died.
And anoon an aungel of the Lord smoot hym, for he hadde not youun onour to God; and he was wastid of wormes, and diede.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
the angel: Exodus 12:12, Exodus 12:23, Exodus 12:29, 1 Samuel 25:38, 2 Samuel 24:17, 1 Chronicles 21:14-18, 2 Chronicles 32:21
because: Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26, Acts 14:14, Acts 14:15, Exodus 9:17, Exodus 10:3, Psalms 115:1, Isaiah 37:23, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:9, Daniel 4:30-37, Daniel 5:18-24, Luke 12:47, Luke 12:48, 2 Thessalonians 2:4
and he: 2 Chronicles 21:18, 2 Chronicles 21:19, Job 7:5, Job 19:26, Isaiah 14:11, Isaiah 51:8, Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:44-48
Reciprocal: Genesis 3:5 - as gods Genesis 19:13 - Lord hath Genesis 25:8 - gave Exodus 2:23 - the king Exodus 8:4 - General Exodus 8:17 - lice in man Joshua 8:29 - the king 1 Samuel 17:36 - seeing 2 Samuel 12:15 - struck the child 2 Samuel 24:16 - the angel 2 Kings 9:35 - but they found 2 Kings 19:35 - the angel 1 Chronicles 21:12 - the angel 2 Chronicles 13:20 - Lord 2 Chronicles 21:15 - by disease Job 12:21 - poureth Job 15:25 - he stretcheth Job 20:5 - the triumphing Job 32:21 - flattering Job 33:22 - his life Job 34:20 - a moment Job 40:11 - behold Psalms 7:9 - Oh Psalms 9:20 - may Psalms 35:5 - and Psalms 37:14 - wicked Psalms 37:36 - General Psalms 38:7 - my loins Psalms 40:14 - driven Psalms 94:3 - the wicked Psalms 107:40 - contempt Psalms 138:6 - but the proud Proverbs 12:8 - he Proverbs 22:12 - eyes Proverbs 24:16 - but Proverbs 27:14 - He that Proverbs 28:28 - they perish Proverbs 29:23 - man's Proverbs 30:9 - I be full Ecclesiastes 5:8 - higher than they Ecclesiastes 5:17 - much Ecclesiastes 7:17 - why Ecclesiastes 9:3 - after Isaiah 10:16 - the Lord of hosts Isaiah 14:15 - thou Isaiah 31:3 - the Egyptians Isaiah 36:4 - Thus saith Isaiah 37:36 - the angel Isaiah 51:13 - where is Jeremiah 9:23 - neither Daniel 4:31 - the word Daniel 8:25 - but Daniel 10:20 - to fight Daniel 11:12 - his heart Micah 6:13 - I make Zechariah 14:12 - Their flesh Matthew 2:15 - until Matthew 18:10 - their Acts 8:26 - The angel Acts 12:7 - the angel Acts 27:23 - there 1 Corinthians 4:7 - why 1 Corinthians 10:10 - destroyer 1 Thessalonians 5:3 - then Hebrews 1:14 - minister Revelation 16:2 - a noisome
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him,.... With a disease after mentioned; this angel, according to Josephus, appeared in the form of an owl; for he says, that a little after (the shout of the people) the king looked up, and saw an owl sitting upon a rope over his head; whom he immediately understood to be an angel, or messenger of evil things to him, as it had been before of good things; for it seems by the same historian s, that when he was bound by the order of Caligula, he saw an owl sitting on that tree, on which he leaned; when a certain German predicted, that things would in a short time be changed with him, and he should be advanced to great honour; but remember, says he, whenever you see that bird again, you will die within five days. Eusebius t, out of Josephus, makes no mention of the owl, but relates it thus; that a little after (the oration and the salutation of the people) the king looked up, and saw an angel sitting over his head, whom he immediately understood to be the cause of evil things to him, as he had formerly been of good: the reason of the angel's smiting him was,
because he gave not glory to God; or as the Jewish historian says, because he reproved not the flatterers, nor rejected their impious flattery, but tacitly took that to himself, which belonged to God:
and he was eaten of worms: Beza's most ancient copy adds, "while he was alive"; Josephus only makes mention of pains in his belly, but these were occasioned by the gnawing of the worms: this was accounted by the Jews a very accursed death; they say u, that the spies which brought an ill report on the good land, died this death: their account is this, that
"their tongues swelled and fell upon their navels, and worms came out of their tongues and went into their navels, and out of their navels they went into their tongues,''
of this death died many tyrants, oppressors, and persecutors! as Antiochus,
"So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and whiles he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army.'' (2 Maccabees 9:9)
and Herod the great, the grandfather of this, according to Josephus w; and Maximianus Galerius, according to Eusebius x, and many others:
and gave up the ghost: not directly, but five days after, as Josephus relates, in the fifty fourth year of his age, and when he had reigned seven years; but before he died, and as soon as he was smitten, he turned to his friends and said, I your God am obliged to depart this life, and now fate reproves the lying words you have just now spoke of me; and I who was called immortal by you, am led away to die, with more, as related by Josephus: by such a token as this, a man was discovered to be a murderer with the Jews; for so they say y, that
"out of the beheaded heifer went a vast number of worms, and went to the place where the murderer was, and ascended upon him, and then the sanhedrim laid hold on him and condemned him.''
s Ib. l. 18. c. 7. sect. 7. t Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. 10. u T. Bab. Sota, fol. 35. 1. w Antiqu. l. 17. c. 6. sect. 5. x Hist. Eccl. l. 8. c. 16. y Targum Jon. in Deut. xxi. 8.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
And immediately the angel of the Lord - Diseases and death axe in the Scriptures often attributed to an angel. See 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:12, 1Ch 21:15, 1 Chronicles 21:20, 1 Chronicles 21:27; 2 Chronicles 32:21. It is not intended that there was a miracle in this case, but it certainly is intended by the sacred writer that his death was a divine judgment on him for his receiving homage as a god. Josephus says of him that he “did neither rebuke them the people nor reject their impious flattery. A severe pain arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. And when he was quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he departed this life, in the 54th year of his age, and the 7th year of his reign.” Josephus does not mention that it was done by an angel, but says that when he looked up, he saw an owl sitting on a rope over his head, and judging it to be an evil omen, he immediately became melancholy, and was seized with the pain.
Because he gave not God the glory - Because he was willing to receive the worship due to God. It was the more sinful in him as he was a Jew, and was acquainted with the true God, and with the evils of idolatry. He was proud, and willing to be flattered, and even adored. He had sought their applause; he had arrayed himself in this splendid manner to excite admiration; and when they carried it even so far as to offer divine homage, he did not reject the impious flattery, but listened stir to their praises. Hence, he was judged; and God vindicated his own insulted honor by inflicting severe pains on him, and by a most awful death.
And he was eaten of worms - The word used here is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. A similar disease is recorded of Antiochus Epiphanes, in the Apocrypha, 2 Macc. 9:5, “But the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, smote him with an invisible and incurable plague; for a pain in the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts Acts 12:9, so that worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man,” etc. Probably this was the disease known as morbus pedicularis. It is loathsome, offensive, and most painful. See the death of Antiochus Epiphanes described in 2 Macc. 9. With this disease also Herod the Great, grandfather of Herod Agrippa, died (Josephus, Antiq., book 17, chapter 6, section 5). Such a death, so painful, so sudden, and so loathsome, was an appropriate judgment on the pride of Herod. We may here learn:
(1) That sudden and violent deaths are often acts of direct divine judgment on wicked people.
(2) That people, when they seek praise and flattery, expose themselves to the displeasure of God. His glory he will not give to another, Isaiah 42:8.
(3) That the most proud, and mighty, and magnificent princes have no security of their lives. God can in a moment - even when they are surrounded by their worshippers and flatterers - touch the seat of life, and turn them to loathsomeness and putrefaction. What a pitiable being is a man of pride receiving from his fellow-men that homage which is due to God alone! See Isaiah 14:0.
(4) Pride and vanity, in any station of life, are hateful in the sight of God. Nothing is more inappropriate to our situation as lost, dying sinners, and nothing will more certainly meet the wrath of heaven.
(5) We have here a strong confirmation of the truth of the sacred narrative. In all essential particulars Luke coincides in his account of the death of Herod with Josephus. This is one of the many circumstances which show that the sacred Scriptures were written at the time when they professed to be, and that they accord with the truth. See Lardner’s Credibility, part 1, chapter 1, section 6.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Acts 12:23. The angel of the Lord smote him — His death was most evidently a judgment from God.
Because he gave not God the glory — He did not rebuke his flatterers, but permitted them to give him that honour that was due to God alone. Acts 12:21; Acts 12:21.
And was eaten of worms — Whether this was the morbus pedicularis, or whether a violent inflammation of his bowels, terminating in putrefaction, did not actually produce worms, which, for several days, swarmed in his infected entrails, we cannot tell. It is most likely that this latter was the case; and this is at once more agreeable to the letter of the text, and to the circumstances of the case as related by Josephus.
And gave up the ghost. — That is, he died of the disorder by which he was then seized, after having lingered, in excruciating torments, for five days, as Josephus has stated. Antiochus Epiphanes and Herod the Great died of the same kind of disease. See the observations at the end of Acts 1:26 relative to the death of Judas.
