1 Kings 18:19
New International Version
Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

New Living Translation
Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”

English Standard Version
Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

King James Bible
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

New King James Version
Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

New American Standard Bible
Now then, send orders and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

NASB 1995
“Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

NASB 1977
“Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Amplified Bible
Now then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of [the goddess] Asherah, who eat at [Queen] Jezebel’s table.”

Christian Standard Bible
Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

American Standard Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.

Contemporary English Version
Call together everyone from Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.

English Revised Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Order all Israel to gather around me on Mount Carmel. And bring the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."

Good News Translation
Now order all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah who are supported by Queen Jezebel."

International Standard Version
So go gather all of Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Bring along 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah who are funded at Jezebel's expense."

Majority Standard Bible
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

NET Bible
Now send out messengers and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports.

New Heart English Bible
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.

World English Bible
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now, send, gather all Israel to me, to the Mount of Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Ba‘al, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who are eating at the table of Jezebel.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, send, gather unto me all Israel, unto the mount of Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the shrine, four hundred -- eating at the table of Jezebel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the pillar, four hundred, eating at the table of Jezebel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Nevertheless send now, and gather unto me all Israel, unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezabel's table.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly now, send and gather to me all of Israel, on Mount Carmel, with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of the sacred groves, who eat from the table of Jezebel.”

New American Bible
Now summon all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, as well as the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel at mount Carmel and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty and the prophets of the idols four hundred and fifty who eat at Jezebel's table.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now send, gather all Israel to me at the mountain of Karmela, and the four hundred and fifty Prophets of Baala and the four hundred and fifty Prophets of the idols, who are eaters at the table of Izabeil!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of shame four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, that eat at Jezabel's table.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah on Mount Carmel
18“I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. 19Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.…

Cross References
Exodus 34:13
Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.

Deuteronomy 7:5
Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.

Deuteronomy 12:3
Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.

Judges 6:25-32
On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. / Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” / So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime. ...

1 Kings 16:31-33
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.

2 Kings 10:18-28
Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot. / Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal. / And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it. ...

2 Kings 23:4-5
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Jeremiah 2:8
The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.

Jeremiah 23:13
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.

Hosea 2:8
For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal.

Hosea 13:1
When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died.

Matthew 3:7
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Matthew 12:39
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?

Mark 8:15
“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

1 Kings 18:42,43
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, …

Joshua 19:26
And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel westward, and to Shihorlibnath;

1 Samuel 15:12
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

the prophets of Baal

1 Kings 22:6
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

prophets of the groves

1 Kings 15:13
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.

1 Kings 16:33
And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

2 Kings 13:6
Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)

eat at Jezebel's table

1 Kings 19:1,2
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword…

2 Kings 9:22
And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Jump to Previous
Asherah Ashe'rah Baal Ba'al Carmel Eat Fifty Food Four Gather Groves Hundred Israel Jezebel's Meet Mount Prophets Summon Table Together
Jump to Next
Asherah Ashe'rah Baal Ba'al Carmel Eat Fifty Food Four Gather Groves Hundred Israel Jezebel's Meet Mount Prophets Summon Table Together
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














Now summon all Israel
The phrase "Now summon all Israel" indicates a call to gather the entire nation, emphasizing the importance of the event that is about to unfold. In the Hebrew context, the word for "summon" (קָבַץ, qavats) implies a gathering or assembling, often used in the context of calling people together for a significant purpose. This highlights the gravity of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, as it was not just a local event but one that involved the entire nation of Israel. Historically, this gathering was a pivotal moment for Israel, as it was a call to witness the power of the true God versus the false gods.

to meet me on Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel is a significant geographical location in biblical history. It is a mountain range in present-day Israel, known for its lush vegetation and strategic location. The choice of Mount Carmel as the site for this confrontation is symbolic. It was a high place often associated with worship and sacrifice, making it an ideal setting for a showdown between the God of Israel and the pagan deities. The Hebrew word for "Carmel" (כַּרְמֶל, Karmel) means "garden" or "vineyard," suggesting a place of fertility and life, which contrasts with the spiritual barrenness of idol worship.

along with the 450 prophets of Baal
The mention of "450 prophets of Baal" underscores the widespread influence and popularity of Baal worship in Israel at the time. Baal was a Canaanite deity associated with fertility, rain, and agriculture, and his worship was often characterized by idolatry and immorality. The large number of prophets indicates the extent to which the Israelites had turned away from the worship of Yahweh. The Hebrew root for "Baal" (בַּעַל, Ba'al) means "lord" or "master," reflecting the false authority these prophets claimed over the people.

and the 400 prophets of Asherah
Asherah was another prominent Canaanite goddess, often associated with Baal as his consort. The "400 prophets of Asherah" further illustrate the depth of Israel's apostasy, as they had embraced not just one, but multiple false deities. Asherah was often represented by wooden poles or trees, known as Asherah poles, which were used in her worship. The Hebrew root for "Asherah" (אֲשֵׁרָה, Asherah) is linked to the idea of happiness or blessedness, ironically contrasting with the spiritual emptiness of idol worship.

who eat at Jezebel’s table
This phrase highlights the direct support and patronage that these prophets received from Jezebel, the queen of Israel and wife of King Ahab. Jezebel was a fervent promoter of Baal worship, and her influence was a significant factor in leading Israel astray. The act of "eating at Jezebel’s table" implies not only physical sustenance but also a close association and endorsement by the royal household. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and alliance, indicating that these prophets were in league with the ruling powers against the worship of Yahweh.

(19) Carmel.--The word signifies a "garden" or "park" (see Isaiah 29:17; Isaiah 32:15-16, &c.) and, when used for the proper name of the mountain, has commonly the article. Mount Carmel--rightly called "the park," well planted and watered, of central Palestine--is a limestone ridge, with deep ravines thickly wooded, running north-west for about twelve miles from the central hills of Manasseh, so as to form the south side of the bay of Ptolemais, and almost to reach the sea, leaving, however, a space round which the southern armies constantly poured into the plain of Jezreel. It varies from 600 feet to 1,700 feet in height. Near its higher eastern extremity there is a place still called El Maharrakah, "the burning," in view of the plain and city of Jezreel, and commanding from one point a glimpse of the sea, which is the traditional (and highly probable) scene of Elijah's sacrifice. Carmel is previously mentioned in Joshua 19:26, as falling to Asher, and the existence of the altar of the Lord shows that, as was natural, it was made one of the "high places," and, indeed, it appears to have been known as such even to the heathen. In the prophetic writings it is referred to as proverbial for its luxuriant pasturage and beauty. (See Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 4:26; Amos 1:2; Amos 9:3; Song of Solomon 7:6.) No more striking scene could well be found for the great drama of this chapter. . . . Verse 19. - Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel [i.e., by representation, the heads of the people, elders, etc. Cf. 1 Kings 8:2, 65; 1 Kings 12:16, 18; 1 Kings 16:16, 17] unto Mount Carmel [Heb., as almost always, the Carmel, i.e., the park. Cf. 1 Samuel 25:1-5. It is "the park of Palestine." It is indebted for this name to the luxuriant vegetation - "the excellency of Carmel" (Isaiah 35:2) - which clothes its southern slopes (Porter, p. 371; Stanley, S. and P. pp. 352-54, and App. p. 14; Van de Velde, 1. pp. 317, 318). It is now generally called Mar (i.e., Lord or Saint) Elyas, after the great prophet. No one who has seen the locality can have any doubts as to which part of the mountain was the scene of the sacrifice, or can fail to be struck with the singular fitness of the place to be the theatre of this thrilling history. Carmel is rather a ridge than a mountain, some twelve miles in length. Its western (or strictly N.N.W.) extremity is a bold headland, some 600 feet in height, which dips almost directly into the waters of the Mediterranean. Its highest point, 1728 feet above the sea level, is about four miles from its eastern extremity, which, at an elevation of 1600 feet, rises like a wall from the great plain of Esdraelon. It is at this point, there can be no question, we are to place the scene of the burnt sacrifice. The identification has only been effected in comparatively recent days (1852), but it is beyond dispute. Not only does the Arab name which it bears - El Murahkah, "the Burning," or "Sacrifice" - afford striking witness to the identity, but the situation and surroundings adapt themselves with such wonderful precision to the requirements of the narrative as to leave no reasonable doubt in the mind. For

(1) it is a sort of natural platform, or pulpit, raised 1000 feet above the adjoining plain, and therefore well calculated to afford a view of the proceedings, or at least of the descent of the Holy Fire, to spectators of all Israel. The flame would probably be seen by Jezebel in her palace at Jezreel. This eminence is visible from Nazareth, some twenty miles away. "There is not a more conspicuous spot on all Carmel than the abrupt, rocky height of El Murahkah, shooting up so suddenly on the east" (Van de Velde, 1. pp. 322, 323). "The summit... commands the last view of the sea behind and the first view of the great plain in front" (Stanley). In fact, it was in its way just as well adapted for the solemn vindication of the law which took place there as Jebel Sufsafeh was for the giving of the law.

(2) A sort of plateau near the summit - the table land where the altars were built, etc. - would accommodate a vast number of spectators (ver. 21).

(3) There is a spring of water close at hand - less than 100 yards distant - and a spring which is said to flow even in the driest seasons, which would supply the water of which we read in vers. 4, 33-35. Josephus (Ant. 8:13, 5) says it came from the fountain. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

summon
שְׁלַ֨ח (šə·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to meet
קְבֹ֥ץ (qə·ḇōṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

me
אֵלַ֛י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Mount
הַ֣ר (har)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Carmel,
הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל (hak·kar·mel)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3760: Carmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron

along with
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the four
אַרְבַּ֧ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

hundred
מֵא֣וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

and fifty
וַחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים (wa·ḥă·miš·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

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

of Baal
הַבַּ֜עַל (hab·ba·‘al)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god

and four
אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

hundred
מֵא֔וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

prophets
וּנְבִיאֵ֤י (ū·nə·ḇî·’ê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

of Asherah
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֙ (hā·’ă·šê·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same

who eat
אֹכְלֵ֖י (’ō·ḵə·lê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 398: To eat

at Jezebel?s
אִיזָֽבֶל׃ (’î·zā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 348: Jezebel -- queen of Israel with King Ahab

table.?
שֻׁלְחַ֥ן (šul·ḥan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:19 Now therefore send and gather to me (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
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