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THE MESSAGE

2 Kings 1:3

God 's angel spoke to Elijah the Tishbite: "Up on your feet! Go out and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria with this word, ‘Is it because there's no God in Israel that you're running off to consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron?' Here's a message from the God you've tried to bypass: ‘You're not going to get out of that bed you're in—you're as good as dead already.'" Elijah delivered the message and was gone.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Angel (Holy Trinity);   Baal-Zebub;   Elijah;   Prophecy;   Scofield Reference Index - Miracles;   Thompson Chain Reference - Direction, Divine;   Divine;   Elijah;   Guidance, Divine;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Afflictions of the Wicked, the;   Samaria, Ancient;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ahaziah;   Beelzebub;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ahaziah;   Ekron;   Elijah;   Healing;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gods and Goddesses, Pagan;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Baal-Zebub;   Elijah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baalzebub;   Divination;   Philistia;   Veil of the Temple;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ahaziah;   Diseases;   Ekron;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Philistines, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ahaziah;   Angel;   Angel of the Lord (Jahweh);   Elijah;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Baalzebub ;   Ekron ;   Tishbite ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Baal-zebub;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ahaziah;   Baal;   Samaria;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ba'al,;   Philis'tines;   Tish'bite, the,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Ahaziah;   Flies;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Israel;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Baal (1);   Baalzebub;   Ekron;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Baal;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Elijah;   Samaria;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
Hebrew Names Version
But the angel of the LORD said to Eliyah the Tishbi, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Shomron, and tell them, Is it because there is no God in Yisra'el, that you go to inquire of Ba`al-Zevuv, the god of `Ekron?
King James Version
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
English Standard Version
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
New Century Version
But the Lord 's angel said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Go up and meet the messengers sent by the king of Samaria. Ask them, ‘Why are you going to ask questions of Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no God in Israel?'
New English Translation
But the Lord 's angelic messenger told Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up, go to meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Say this to them: ‘You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are on your way to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub the god of Ekron.
Amplified Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
New American Standard Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the Angel of the Lord said to Eliiah the Tishbite, Arise, and goe vp to meete the messengers of the King of Samaria, and say vnto them, Is it not because there is no God in Israel, that ye goe to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
Legacy Standard Bible
But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Contemporary English Version
About the same time, an angel from the Lord sent Elijah the prophet from Tishbe to say to the king's messengers, "Ahaziah has rejected Israel's own God by sending you to ask Baalzebub about his injury.
Complete Jewish Bible
But an angel of Adonai said to Eliyahu from Tishbe, "Get up, and intercept the messengers of the king of Shomron, and ask them, ‘Is it because there's no God in Isra'el that you're on your way to consult Ba‘al-Z'vuv the god of ‘Ekron?
Darby Translation
And the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
Easy-to-Read Version
But the Lord 's angel said to Elijah the Tishbite, "King Ahaziah has sent some messengers from Samaria. Go meet those men and ask them, ‘There is a God in Israel, so why are you men going to ask questions of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?
George Lamsa Translation
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
Good News Translation
But an angel of the Lord commanded Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe, to go and meet the messengers of King Ahaziah and ask them, "Why are you going to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel?
Lexham English Bible
Then the angel of Yahweh spoke to Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and speak to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Literal Translation
And an angel of Jehovah spoke to Elijah the Tishbite, Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel that you are going to ask of Baal-zebub the god ofEkron?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But the angell of ye LORDE sayde vnto Elias the Tishbite: Vp, & go mete the messaungers of the kynge of Samaria, and saie vnto them: Is there no God in Israel that ye go to axe councell at ye god of Ekron?
American Standard Version
But the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
Bible in Basic English
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Go now, and, meeting the men sent by the king of Samaria, say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you are going to get directions from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But the angell of the Lorde spake to Elias the Thesbite: Arise, and go vp against the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say vnto them: Is there not a God in Israel, that ye go to aske counsel at Beelzebub the God of Ekrom?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But an angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite: 'Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them: Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
King James Version (1611)
But the Angel of the Lord said to Eliiah the Tishbite, Arise, goe vp to meete the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say vnto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye goe to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And an angel of the Lord called Eliu the Thesbite, saying, Arise, and go to meet the messengers of Ochozias king of Samaria, and thou shalt say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baal fly, the God of Accaron? but it shall not be so.
English Revised Version
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal–zebub the god of Ekron?
Berean Standard Bible
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?'
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe the aungel of the Lord spak to Elye of Thesbi, and seide, Rise thou, and go doun into the metynge of the messangeris of the kyng of Samarie; and thou schalt seie to hem, Whether God is not in Israel, that ye go to counsel Belzebub, god of Acharon?
Young's Literal Translation
And a messenger of Jehovah hath spoken unto Elijah the Tishbite, `Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and speak unto them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel -- ye are going to inquire of Baal Zebub god of Ekron?
Update Bible Version
But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
Webster's Bible Translation
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
World English Bible
But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
New King James Version
But the angel [fn] of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'
New Living Translation
But the angel of the Lord told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, "Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover?
New Life Bible
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up and go meet the men sent from the king of Samaria. Say to them, ‘Are you going to ask Baal-zebub the god of Ekron because there is no God in Israel?'
New Revised Standard
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up, go to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, the messenger of Yahweh, spake unto Elijah the Tishbite, Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, - and say unto them - Is it, because there is no God in Israel, that, ye, are going to enquire of Baalzebub, god of Ekron?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And an angel of the Lord spoke to Elias, the Thesbite, saying: Arise, and go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them: Is there not a God in Israel, that ye go to consult Beelzebub, the god of Accaron?
Revised Standard Version
But the angel of the LORD said to Eli'jah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Sama'ria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Ba'al-ze'bub, the god of Ekron?'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'

Contextual Overview

1 After Ahab died, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 One day Ahaziah fell through the balcony railing on the rooftop of his house in Samaria and was injured. He sent messengers off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, "Am I going to recover from this accident?" 3 God 's angel spoke to Elijah the Tishbite: "Up on your feet! Go out and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria with this word, ‘Is it because there's no God in Israel that you're running off to consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron?' Here's a message from the God you've tried to bypass: ‘You're not going to get out of that bed you're in—you're as good as dead already.'" Elijah delivered the message and was gone. 5 The messengers went back. The king said, "So why are you back so soon—what's going on?" 6 They told him, "A man met us and said, ‘Turn around and go back to the king who sent you; tell him, God 's message: Is it because there's no God in Israel that you're running off to consult Baal-Zebub god of Ekron? You needn't bother. You're not going to get out of that bed you're in—you're as good as dead already.'" 7 The king said, "Tell me more about this man who met you and said these things to you. What was he like?" 8 "Shaggy," they said, "and wearing a leather belt." He said, "That has to be Elijah the Tishbite!"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

angel: 2 Kings 1:15, 1 Kings 19:5, 1 Kings 19:7, Acts 8:26, Acts 12:7-11

Elijah: 2 Kings 1:8, 1 Kings 17:1

Arise: 1 Kings 18:1

it: 2 Kings 1:6, 2 Kings 1:16, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:15, 1 Samuel 17:46, 1 Kings 18:36, Psalms 76:1

ye go: Jeremiah 2:11-13, Jonah 2:8, Mark 3:22

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:11 - Ekron Judges 10:6 - the gods of the Philistines 1 Samuel 28:7 - Seek me 2 Samuel 12:1 - the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 1:2 - Baalzebub Isaiah 8:19 - should not Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire Hosea 10:7 - Samaria

Cross-References

Job 38:19
"Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? Why, of course you know that. You've known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them!
Psalms 33:6
The skies were made by God 's command; he breathed the word and the stars popped out. He scooped Sea into his jug, put Ocean in his keg.
Psalms 97:11
Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be clean." Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, "Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done."
John 1:9
The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn't even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn't want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.
John 3:19
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."
John 11:43
Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him loose."
Ephesians 5:8
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
1 John 1:5
This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah,.... One of the ministering spirits sent by the Lord to him:

arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria: that is, the king of Israel, whose capital city was Samaria:

is it not because there is not a God in Israel; known, acknowledged, and worshipped there, of whom there had been sufficient proof of his deity and divine perfections, as omniscience, omnipotence, &c.

that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? about future things, when they had God nigh unto them, fully acquainted with them, as this message shows.


 
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