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NABOTH

(Heb. nāḇôṯ)

A Jezreelite judicially murdered by Jezebel and Ahab in order to confiscate his vineyard, presumably located next to Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. The story of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kgs. 21:1-16) raises issues of royal power and prerogative, especially concerning the ownership of land in ancient Israel. Naboth upholds the old tribal ethos that land remain in the tribe (Lev. 25:23; Num. 26:5-9), the inheritance (Heb. naḥălâ) of his fathers and an inalienable trust from Yahweh.

1 Kgs. 21 places the blame for Naboth’s death on Jezebel. She declares a fast in Ahab’s name, then hires two scoundrels to falsely accuse Naboth of committing treason against God and the king, ensuring Naboth’s death by stoning (Deut. 13:10; 17:5; Exod. 22:28[MT 27]). She devises this plan only after Naboth refuses to sell his vineyard to Ahab for a vegetable garden. Upon Naboth’s death, Ahab takes possession of the land. As a result, both Jezebel and Ahab are punished by God as prophesied by Elijah (1 Kgs. 21:17-24).

In 2 Kgs. 9:21-37 these events are cited as the reason for the demise of Ahab’s dynasty. Here only Ahab is responsible for Naboth’s death (2 Kgs. 9:26); the vineyard is in riding distance from Ahab’s palace (v. 21) instead of next to it; and both Naboth and his sons are killed by Ahab. According to the rabbis, Ahab is Naboth’s cousin and the rightful heir of his property (Sanh. 48b). They also suggest that it is Naboth’s revengeful spirit that entices Ahab to engage in the battle that ultimately leads to Ahab’s death (Yalquṭ Šimʿoni Kgs. 221).

Deborah A. Appler

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

NABOTH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)