A very powerful wind went before the Lord, digging into the mountain and causing landslides, 20 but the Lord was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
20:13 Now a prophet visited King Ahab of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Do you see this huge army? 22 Look, I am going to hand it over to you this very day. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
1 tn Heb “there will not be cut off from you a man from before me sitting on the throne of Israel.”
2 tn Heb “guard their way by walking before me as you have walked before me.”
3 tn Heb “and spoke to them according to.”
4 tn Heb “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke.”
5 tn Heb “My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.” See the note on the same phrase in v. 11.
6 tn The words “with his advisers” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
7 tn Heb “to them,” although this may be a corruption of “to the people.” Cf. the Old Greek translation.
8 tn Heb “and he said to him.”
9 tn Heb “by the word of the
10 tn Heb “eat food and drink water.”
11 tn Or “deceiving him.”
sn He was lying to him. The motives and actions of the old prophet are difficult to understand. The old man’s response to the prophet’s death (see vv. 26-32) suggests he did not trick him with malicious intent. The old prophet probably wanted the honor of entertaining such a celebrity, or perhaps simply desired some social interaction with a fellow prophet.
12 tn Heb “and the prophet who had brought him back from the road heard.”
13 tn Heb “the man of God.”
14 tn Heb “the mouth of the
15 tn Heb “broke him,” or “crushed him.”
16 tn Heb “according to the word of the
17 tn Heb “How long are you going to limp around on two crutches?” (see HALOT 762 s.v. סְעִפִּים). In context this idiomatic expression refers to indecision rather than physical disability.
18 tn Heb “the God.”
19 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
20 tn Heb “tearing away the mountains and breaking the cliffs” (or perhaps, “breaking the stones”).
21 tn Heb “all which you sent to your servant in the beginning I will do, but this thing I am unable to do.”
22 tn Heb “this great horde.”
23 tn Or “servants.”
24 tn Or “merciful.” The word used here often means “devoted” or “loyal.” Perhaps the idea is that the Israelite kings are willing to make treaties with other kings.
25 sn Sackcloth was worn as a sign of sorrow and repentance. The precise significance of the ropes on the head is uncertain, but it probably was a sign of submission. These actions were comparable to raising a white flag on the battlefield or throwing in the towel in a boxing match.
26 tn Heb “go out.”
27 tn Heb “if it is good in your eyes.”
28 tc The Old Greek translation includes the following words: “And it will be mine as a garden of herbs.”
29 tn Heb “to seek the
30 tn Or “hate.”
31 tn The words “his name is” are supplied for stylistic reasons.