נָבוֹת (na.vot)
na.vot
Naboth
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Naboth, meaning "fruitful" or "fruits," identifies a specific resident of Jezreel during the era of the Divided Monarchy. He is best known as the owner of a vineyard that King Ahab desired to acquire for his palace garden. The narrative in 1 Kings 21 presents Naboth not merely as a plot device, but as a man who refused to sell his ancestral inheritance, citing legal and religious protections for family land.
His story highlights the tension between royal power and traditional rights. When Ahab’s request was denied, Queen Jezebel orchestrated a false accusation of blasphemy that led to Naboth’s execution. This event serves as a critical turning point in the biblical account, demonstrating how the abuse of authority could violate both social justice and divine law, ultimately bringing prophetic judgment upon the house of Ahab.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Naboth means "fruitful," yet his story in scripture is one of profound loss. He was a man who held fast to the land his family had inherited, refusing to trade it for royal offer or silver. In a world where power often demands compromise, Naboth’s quiet refusal reminds us that some boundaries are sacred. They protect not just property, but identity and faith.
His vineyard became a place of tragedy when King Ahab and Queen Jezebel sought to seize it through deceit. The abuse of authority led to his death, but the narrative does not end there. God saw the injustice, and justice was eventually served. This story invites us to trust that God sees the oppressed and upholds what is right, even when human systems fail.
For believers today, Naboth’s legacy is a call to integrity. It encourages us to value the gifts and boundaries God has given us, rather than selling them for temporary gain or social approval. His name serves as a quiet witness that faithfulness to God’s law matters more than royal favor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Naboth21×
- to/ Naboth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָב֖וֹת5×
- נָב֥וֹת3×
- נָב֣וֹת2×
- נָב֛וֹת2×
- נָב֔וֹת2×
- נָבוֹת֩1×
- נָבוֹת֙1×
- נָבֽוֹת\׃1×
- נָב֨וֹת1×
- נָב֣וֹת\׀1×
- נָב֗וֹת1×
- נָב֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 21:3
Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
This verse captures Naboth’s core conviction, showing his refusal to sell ancestral land was rooted in reverence for Yahweh and legal tradition.
-
I Kings 21:19
You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’”
Here the prophet delivers God’s judgment, linking the violence done to Naboth directly to the coming downfall of Ahab’s house.
-
II Kings 9:25
Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, “Pick him up, and throw him in the plot of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how, when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, Yahweh laid this burden on him:
Jehu fulfills the prophecy by casting Ahab’s son into Naboth’s field, demonstrating that divine justice eventually claims its due.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Naboth mean?
Why did Naboth refuse to sell his vineyard?
How does Naboth’s story relate to King Ahab?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 2 books)
I Kings 15 verses
After these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of…
I Kings 21:2Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near my…
I Kings 21:3Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
I Kings 21:4Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him, for he had…
I Kings 21:6He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else,…
I Kings 21:7Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be…
I Kings 21:8So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles…
I Kings 21:9She wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
I Kings 21:12They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
I Kings 21:13The two men, the wicked fellows, came in and sat before him. The wicked fellows testified against him, even against…
I Kings 21:14Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.”
I Kings 21:15When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the…
I Kings 21:16When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take…
I Kings 21:18“Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he…
I Kings 21:19You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him,…