Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:2-3 Naboth refused Ahab’s generous offer to buy or exchange land for his vineyard. While he may have desired to sell, Naboth noted that the law said that inherited property should stay in the family or tribe that originally owned it (Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7-9). Unlike the kings of the surrounding nations, who could seize whatever property they wished (1 Sam 8:11-17), Ahab was bound by Israel’s law.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:2-3 Naboth refused Ahab’s generous offer to buy or exchange land for his vineyard. While he may have desired to sell, Naboth noted that the law said that inherited property should stay in the family or tribe that originally owned it (Lev 25:23-28; Num 36:7-9). Unlike the kings of the surrounding nations, who could seize whatever property they wished (1 Sam 8:11-17), Ahab was bound by Israel’s law.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee!
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Naboth said to Ahab, Jehovah forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
But Naboth said to Ahab, By the Lord, far be it from me to give you the heritage of my fathers.