1 Kings 21:2
New International Version
Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”

New Living Translation
One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it.”

English Standard Version
And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”

Berean Standard Bible
So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.”

New American Standard Bible
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard in place of it; if you prefer, I will give you what it is worth in money.”

NASB 1995
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if you like, I will give you the price of it in money.”

NASB 1977
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if you like, I will give you the price of it in money.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden because it is close beside my house, and I will give you a better vineyard than it in its place; if it is good in your sight, I will give you the price of it in money.”

Amplified Bible
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a garden of vegetables and herbs, because it is near my house. I will give you a better vineyard for it, or, if you prefer, I will give you what it is worth in money.”

Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
One day, Ahab said, "Naboth, your vineyard is near my palace. Give it to me so I can turn it into a vegetable garden. I'll give you a better vineyard or pay whatever you want for yours."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahab told Naboth, "Give me your vineyard. It will become my vegetable garden because it is near my house. I will give you a better vineyard for it. Or if you prefer, I will pay you a fair price for it."

Good News Translation
One day Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard; it is close to my palace, and I want to use the land for a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard for it or, if you prefer, I will pay you a fair price."

International Standard Version
Ahab addressed Naboth and asked him, "I would like to plant a vegetable garden near my house. Please exchange your vineyard with a better one from me, or if you'd rather have cash, I'll buy it for its full value."

Majority Standard Bible
So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

NET Bible
Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard so I can make a vegetable garden out of it, for it is adjacent to my palace. I will give you an even better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will pay you silver for it."

New Heart English Bible
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near to my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or if it seemeth good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

World English Bible
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Ahab speaks to Naboth, saying, “Give your vineyard to me, and it is for a garden of green herbs for me, for it [is] near by my house, and I give to you a better vineyard than it in its stead; if [this is] good in your eyes, I give to you its price [in] silver.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Ahab speaketh unto Naboth, saying, 'Give to me thy vineyard, and it is to me for a garden of green herbs, for it is near by my house, and I give to thee in its stead a better vineyard than it; if good in thine eyes, I give to thee silver -- its price.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ahab will speak to Naboth, saying, Wilt thou give to me thy vineyard? and it shall be to me for a garden of herbs, for it is near by my house: and I will give to thee in its stead a vineyard good above it; if good in thine eyes I will give thee silver the price of this.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achab spoke to Naboth, saying: Give me thy vineyard, that I may make me a garden of herbs, because it is nigh, and adjoining to my house, and I will give thee for it a better vineyard: or if thou think it more convenient for thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying: “Give your vineyard to me, so that I may make for myself a garden of herbs. For it is nearby and is beside my house. And I will give to you, in place of it, a better vineyard. Or if you consider it to be more convenient for you, I will give you the price in silver, whatever it is worth.”

New American Bible
Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money.”

New Revised Standard Version
And Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near to my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to you, I will give you its worth in money.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Akhab said to Nabuth: “Give me your vineyard, and I will have it for a garden of vegetables, because it is near by the side of my house, and I shall give you a vineyard for it that is better than it, or if it is good in your eyes, I shall give you its money price.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ahab spoke 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Achaab spoke to Nabuthai, saying, Give me thy vineyard, and I will have it for a garden of herbs, for it is near my house: and I will give thee another vineyard better than it; or if it please thee, I will give thee money, the price of this thy vineyard, and I will have it for a garden of herbs.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Naboth's Vineyard
1Some time later, Naboth the Jezreelite happened to own a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place— or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” 3But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”…

Cross References
Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Micah 2:2
They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.

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 12:9
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 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” / So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” / “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” ...

Isaiah 5:8
Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.

Ezekiel 22:12
In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.

Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Proverbs 21:25-26
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. / All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

James 4:2
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 19:21-22
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:21-22
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Luke 18:22-23
On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.


Treasury of Scripture

And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house: and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to you, I will give you the worth of it in money.

Leviticus 25:14-28
And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another: …

Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

a garden of herbs

2 Kings 9:27
But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.

Deuteronomy 11:10
For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

Ecclesiastes 2:5
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

Genesis 16:6
But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

1 Samuel 8:6
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

Jump to Previous
Ahab Better Close Exchange Garden Good Herbs House Money Naboth Palace Pay Prefer Price Seem Seemeth Seems Use Value Vegetable Vineyard Whatever Worth
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Ahab Better Close Exchange Garden Good Herbs House Money Naboth Palace Pay Prefer Price Seem Seemeth Seems Use Value Vegetable Vineyard Whatever Worth
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














So Ahab said to Naboth
Ahab, the king of Israel, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his marriage to Jezebel and his subsequent turn to idolatry. The name "Ahab" in Hebrew means "father's brother," which may imply a familial connection or responsibility. Naboth, whose name means "fruits" or "produce," is a Jezreelite, indicating his residence in Jezreel, a fertile area known for its agriculture. This interaction sets the stage for a moral and spiritual conflict, highlighting the tension between royal authority and individual rights under God's law.

Give me your vineyard
The request for the vineyard is not merely a transaction but a reflection of Ahab's desire to expand his personal holdings. Vineyards in ancient Israel were symbols of prosperity and blessing, often associated with one's inheritance and family heritage. The Hebrew word for "vineyard" is "kerem," which signifies a place of growth and fruitfulness. Ahab's demand challenges the biblical principle of land inheritance, as outlined in Leviticus 25:23, where the land is considered God's and not to be sold permanently.

so I may have it for a vegetable garden
Ahab's intention to convert the vineyard into a vegetable garden reveals a utilitarian approach, prioritizing personal convenience over spiritual and cultural values. The Hebrew term for "vegetable garden" is "gan," which contrasts with the vineyard's deeper spiritual significance. This transformation symbolizes a shift from divine blessing to human manipulation, reflecting Ahab's disregard for God's covenantal promises tied to the land.

since it is right next to my palace
The proximity of Naboth's vineyard to Ahab's palace underscores the king's covetousness and desire for expansion. The palace, a symbol of royal power and authority, becomes a backdrop for Ahab's moral failing. This phrase highlights the temptation of convenience and the ease with which one can justify unethical actions when motivated by self-interest.

I will give you a better vineyard in its place
Ahab's offer of a "better vineyard" suggests a transactional mindset, where material value is prioritized over spiritual and familial significance. The Hebrew concept of "better" here implies a subjective judgment, failing to recognize the intrinsic value of Naboth's ancestral land. This reflects a broader theme in Scripture where worldly wealth is often contrasted with spiritual integrity and obedience to God's commands.

or, if you prefer, I will pay you its value in silver
Offering silver as compensation introduces the theme of materialism and the reduction of spiritual inheritance to monetary terms. Silver, often used as currency, represents temporal wealth and is frequently contrasted with eternal values in biblical literature. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the true worth of God's gifts and the dangers of equating them with earthly riches.

Verse 2. - And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard [The prediction of Samuel (1 Samuel 8:14) is being realized], that I may have it for a garden of herbs [as in Deuteronomy 11:10; Romans 15:17], because it is near unto [Heb. beside] my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it: or [Heb. omits or], if it seem good to thee [Heb. if good in thine eyes], I will give thee the worth of it in money. [Heb. I will give to thee silver the price of it. See note on 1 Kings 20:39. Whatever Ahab's moral weakness, he was certainly a prince of some enterprize. 1 Kings 22:39 speaks of the "cities "which he built. And the palace of Jezreel would seem to have been erected by him. This vineyard was to be one of his improvements.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Ahab
אַחְאָ֣ב (’aḥ·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet

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

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

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

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

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

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

to use
וִֽיהִי־ (wî·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as a vegetable
יָרָ֗ק (yā·rāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3419: Green, a vegetable

garden,
לְגַן־ (lə·ḡan-)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden

since
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it
ה֤וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is next to
קָרוֹב֙ (qā·rō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near

my palace.
בֵּיתִ֔י (bê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

I will give
וְאֶתְּנָ֤ה (wə·’et·tə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

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

a better
ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

vineyard
כֶּ֖רֶם (ke·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

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

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

you prefer,
ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

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

its
זֶֽה׃ (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

value
מְחִ֥יר (mə·ḥîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages

in silver.”
כֶ֖סֶף (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3701: Silver, money


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OT History: 1 Kings 21:2 Ahab spoke to Naboth saying Give me (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 21:1
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