1Ki 13:4-8 | NET2full | STEP | When the king heard the prophet’s message that he had cried out against the altar in Bethel , Jeroboam took his hand from the altar and pointed it saying , “ Seize him!” Then the hand that he had pointed at him stiffened up , and he could not pull it back .

‏ 1 Kings 13:4-8

4 When the king heard the prophet’s message that he had cried out against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam took his hand from the altar and pointed it ^{▼▼tn Heb “extended his hand from the altar.”} saying, “Seize him!” Then the hand that he had pointed at him stiffened up, ^{▼▼tn Heb The verb יָבֵשׁ (yavesh) usually describes water sources as dry or plants as dry and withered. Applied to a hand or an arm (Zech 11:17), it probably means to be(come) stiff, feeble, or both. TEV and NLT interpret this as “became paralyzed.”} and he could not pull it back. 5 Meanwhile the altar split open, and the ashes ^{▼▼tn The fat mixed with ashes. See note v. 3.} poured from the altar in fulfillment of the sign the prophet had given with the Lord’s message. 6 The king responded to ^{▼▼tn Heb “answered and said to.”} the prophet, “Seek the favor of ^{▼▼tn Heb “appease” or “soften the face of,” twice in this verse.} the Lord your God and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored.” So the prophet sought the Lord’s favor and the king’s hand was restored as it was at first. 7 The king then said to the prophet, “Come home with me and have something to eat, so that I may give you a gift.” ^{▼▼tn Or “reward.”} 8 But the prophet said to the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, ^{▼▼tn Heb “house,” representing one’s estate or possessions.} I would not go with you. I am not allowed to eat food or drink water in this place.