1 Kings 18:4
New International Version
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

New Living Translation
Once when Jezebel had tried to kill all the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 of them in two caves. He put fifty prophets in each cave and supplied them with food and water.)

English Standard Version
and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)

Berean Standard Bible
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

King James Bible
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

New King James Version
For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.)

New American Standard Bible
for when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

NASB 1995
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

NASB 1977
for it came about, when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened that when Jezebel was cutting down the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.)

Amplified Bible
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

Christian Standard Bible
and took a hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the LORD’s prophets.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and took 100 prophets and hid them, 50 men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the LORD’s prophets.

American Standard Version
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when Izabeil killed the Prophets of God, Oubdaya brought a hundred Prophets and hid them, fifty men at a time in a cave, and he sustained them with bread and with water.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when Jezabel smote the prophets of the Lord, that Abdiu took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For when Jezabel killed the prophets of the Lord, he took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifty and fifty in caves, and fed them with bread and water.

English Revised Version
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(When Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave and kept them alive by providing bread and water for them.)

Good News Translation
and when Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah took a hundred of them, hid them in caves in two groups of fifty, and provided them with food and water.)

International Standard Version
had taken 100 prophets and had hidden them by fifties in a cave, providing them with food and water when Jezebel was trying to destroy the LORD's prophets.

JPS Tanakh 1917
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.--

Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, in Jezebel’s cutting off the prophets of YHWH, that Obadiah takes one hundred prophets, and hides them, fifty men in a cave, and has sustained them with bread and water—

Majority Standard Bible
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

New American Bible
When Jezebel was slaughtering the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them away by fifties in caves, and supplied them with food and water.

NET Bible
When Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of fifty. He also brought them food and water.)

New Revised Standard Version
when Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them fifty to a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

New Heart English Bible
And it came about, when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them, fifty by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Webster's Bible Translation
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

World English Bible
for when Jezebel cut off Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, in Jezebel's cutting off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah taketh a hundred prophets, and hideth them, fifty men in a cave, and hath sustained them with bread and water --

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Confronts Ahab
3and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, 4for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.) 5Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock.”…

Cross References
Matthew 10:40
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.

Hebrews 11:38
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

1 Kings 18:5
Then Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock."

1 Kings 18:13
Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD, fifty men per cave, and I provided them with food and water.

2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, "Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master's footsteps behind him?"

2 Kings 9:7
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.

Isaiah 16:3
"Give us counsel; render a decision. Shelter us at noonday with shade as dark as night. Hide the refugees; do not betray the one who flees.


Treasury of Scripture

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Jezebel [heb] Izabel

Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

Matthew 21:35
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Revelation 17:4-6
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: …

in a cave

Hebrews 11:38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

fed them

1 Kings 18:13
Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

2 Kings 6:22,23
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master…

Matthew 10:40-42
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me…

bread and water

1 Kings 13:8,9,16
And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: …

Jump to Previous
Bread Cave Caves Cut Destroyed Fed Fifties Fifty Food Hid Hidden Hideth Hole Hundred Jezebel Jez'ebel Jezebel's Kept Killing Lord's Maintained Obadiah Obadi'ah Prophets Provided Rock Secretly Supplied Sustained Time Water
Jump to Next
Bread Cave Caves Cut Destroyed Fed Fifties Fifty Food Hid Hidden Hideth Hole Hundred Jezebel Jez'ebel Jezebel's Kept Killing Lord's Maintained Obadiah Obadi'ah Prophets Provided Rock Secretly Supplied Sustained Time Water
1 Kings 18
1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah
9. Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah
17. Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets
41. Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel














(4) Jezebel cut off the prophets.--The persecution here referred to, in which for the first time the royal power was placed in distinct antagonism to the prophetic order, is only known by this allusion. It may probably have followed on the denunciation of judgment; and Elijah's retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijah's oft-repeated phrase, "I, even I, alone remain," is to be taken literally, Obadiah's merciful interposition must have availed only for a time, or have simply given opportunity of escape.

Verse 4. - For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord [Our author now instances a proof of Obadiah's devotion. The incident to which he refers is otherwise unknown to us, nor can we refer it with certainty to its proper place in the history. But it is extremely probable that this work of extermination was begun as an act of reprisals for the drought denounced by Elijah. Ver. 13 almost implies that it had taken place during his absence. We see here, consequently, an additional reason for his flight (cf. 1 Kings 19:2). These "prophets" are the same as those elsewhere called the "sons of the prophets, i.e., members of the prophetic schools; cf. 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, etc.] that Obadiah took an hundred prophets [This would lead us to suppose that the great majority escaped. But see ver. 19 and 1 Kings 22:6. That we find so large a number still in the land, notwithstanding the exodus (2 Chronicles 11:16), and the steady growth of impiety, shows that God had not left Himself without witnesses], and hid them by fifty [Keil would insert a second הֲחמִשִׁים as do some MSS. (Gardiner), and as in ver. 13. Such a word might easily be omitted in transcription, it is true. But "proclivi lectioni," etc.] in a cave [Heb. the cave; but LXX. ἐν σπηλαὶῳ. Similarly in ver. 13. What is the force of the article here it is somewhat difficult to say. It has been suggested that these caves were in the sides of Mount Carmel; there are large caves under the western cliffs (Stanley); more than two thousand, according to others; "often of great length and extremely tortuous" (Dic. Bib. 1. p. 278); but this is mere guesswork, as Palestine, being of limestone formation, abounds in caverns. See Stanley, S. and P. pp. 151, 52. From the earliest times we find men - outlaws and the like - taking up their abode therein. Of. Joshua 10:17; Judges 6:2; 1 Samuel 22:1; Ezekiel 33:27; Hebrews 11:38. Probably the division into two companies was partly for the sake of security (see Genesis 22:8), and partly for the sake of convenience. The greater the number to be fed, the greater the chance of detection. Compare also Jacob's precautions Genesis 32:8], and fed them with bread [or, food] and water.) [It is to be observed, as bearing on 1 Kings 17:3-6, that these hundred prophets, though preserved by the special providence of God, were nevertheless maintained through human agency and by natural means.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
for when Jezebel
אִיזֶ֔בֶל (’î·ze·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 348: Jezebel -- queen of Israel with King Ahab

had slaughtered
בְּהַכְרִ֣ית (bə·haḵ·rîṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the prophets
נְבִאִ֗ים (nə·ḇi·’îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Obadiah
עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ (‘ō·ḇaḏ·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5662: Obadiah -- 'servant of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

had taken
וַיִּקַּ֨ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a hundred
מֵאָ֣ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

prophets
נְבִיאֵ֣י (nə·ḇî·’ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

and hidden them,
וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵ֞ם (way·yaḥ·bî·’êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

men
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

per cave,
בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה (bam·mə·‘ā·rāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4631: A cavern

providing
וְכִלְכְּלָ֖ם (wə·ḵil·kə·lām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain

them with food
לֶ֥חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

and water.)
וָמָֽיִם׃ (wā·mā·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:4 For it was so when Jezebel cut (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:3
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