1 Kings 18:22
New International Version
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

New Living Translation
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets.

English Standard Version
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

King James Bible
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

New King James Version
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

New American Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left as a prophet of the LORD, while Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

NASB 1995
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

NASB 1977
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of Yahweh, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Amplified Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone remain a prophet of the LORD, while Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

American Standard Version
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Contemporary English Version
Then Elijah continued: I am the LORD's only prophet, but Baal has 450 prophets.

English Revised Version
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Elijah told the people, "I'm the only surviving prophet of the LORD, but there are 450 prophets of Baal.

Good News Translation
Then Elijah said, "I am the only prophet of the LORD still left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal.

International Standard Version
So Elijah told the people, "I'm the only one left over as a prophet of the LORD, am I? But Baal's prophets number 450 men?

Majority Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

NET Bible
Elijah said to them: "I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal.

New Heart English Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of Asherah four hundred.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Elijah to the people, I even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophet's are four hundred and fifty men.

World English Bible
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left as a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elijah says to the people, “I have been left, by myself, a prophet of YHWH; and the prophets of Ba‘al [are] four hundred and fifty men;

Young's Literal Translation
And Elijah saith unto the people, 'I -- I have been left a prophet of Jehovah -- by myself; and the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elijah will say to the people, I was left alone a prophet to Jehovah; and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elias said again to the people: I only remain a prophet of the Lord: but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Elijah said again to the people: “I alone remain as a prophet of the Lord. But the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men.

New American Bible
So Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Elijah said, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elyah said: I alone am left a Prophet for LORD JEHOVAH, and the Prophets of Baala are four hundred and fifty men.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Elijah unto the people: 'I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Eliu said to the people, I am left, the only one prophet of the Lord; and the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of the groves four hundred.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah on Mount Carmel
21Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.…

Cross References
James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Romans 11:2-4
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? / And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Luke 4:25-26
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Revelation 11:3-6
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” / These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. / If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. ...

Matthew 12:39-40
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mark 9:4
And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Luke 9:30-31
Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. / They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

2 Kings 2:11-12
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. / As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

2 Kings 1:10-12
Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

1 Kings 19:14
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Elijah to the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

I only

1 Kings 19:10,14
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away…

1 Kings 20:13,32,35,38
And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD…

1 Kings 22:6-8
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…

Baal's prophets

1 Kings 18:19,20
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…

Matthew 7:13-15
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: …

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; …

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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














Then Elijah said to the people
This phrase sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the narrative. Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," stands as a solitary figure against the multitude. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, emphasizing the authority and conviction with which Elijah speaks. Historically, Elijah's confrontation occurs during a time of rampant idolatry in Israel, under the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal. This context underscores the courage and faith required for Elijah to address the people directly.

I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD
Elijah's statement highlights his isolation and the dire spiritual state of Israel. The Hebrew word for "only" (לְבַדִּי, levaddi) conveys a sense of being alone or solitary. Elijah feels as though he is the last true prophet of Yahweh, reflecting the severe persecution of God's prophets during this period. This moment is a testament to Elijah's steadfastness and dedication to God, despite overwhelming opposition. It also foreshadows the divine intervention that will affirm his prophetic mission and the sovereignty of the LORD.

but Baal has 450 prophets
The contrast between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is stark. The number 450 is significant, symbolizing the overwhelming odds against which Elijah stands. Baal, a Canaanite deity, was widely worshiped in the region, and his prophets were numerous and influential. The Hebrew term for "prophets" (נְבִיאִים, nevi'im) indicates those who claim to speak on behalf of a deity. This phrase sets up the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, where the true power of God will be demonstrated. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between truth and falsehood, and the ultimate victory of God's truth over idolatry.

Verse 22. - Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain [Heb. I, I am left alone. Cf. Genesis 32:24; μονώτατος] a prophet of the Lord [Thenius hence concludes that the "hundred prophets" of whom we read in vers. 4, 13 had been discovered in their hiding place and had been put to death. But this by no means follows from Elijah's statement here or in ch. 19:10 (where see note); and we know that the schools of the prophets had not ceased to exist (2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7; cf. 1 Kings 22:8). All that Elijah says is that he stood that day alone as a prophet of Jehovah. "I only remain in the exercise of the office of a prophet" (Rawlinson). The rest might well hesitate, after me fierce persecution which they had undergone, to face the king and their bitter enemies, the Baal prophets. It must be remembered that Elijah had had no opportunity of communicating with them, and he may have been quite ignorant as to what number had remained steadfast and true. One thing he knew, that he alone was left to prophesy, and to confront the whole hierarchy of the false God]; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. [It is clear, not only from the silence of this verse and of ver. 25, respecting them, but still more from the fact that they escaped in the general slaughter (ver. 40), that the prophets of Astarte were not present, and the natural inference is that either Jezebel had forbidden their presence or that they shrank from the ordeal. The LXX. inserts "and the prophets of the grove, four hundred," but the words are evidently added from ver. 19. The Baal prophets would doubtless have been only too glad to do the same, but they were under the immediate command of the king. It is not certain that they had any forebodings of evil, or dreaded reprisals on Elijah's part, but they had had proof conclusive of his power and of their impo-fence. We must remember that all through the triennium prayers and sacrifices had, no doubt, been constantly offered with a view to procure rain. We learn from Menander (Jos., 8:13. 2) that even in Phoenicia supplication had been made for rain by Ethabaal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Elijah
אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (’ê·lî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

“I
אֲנִ֞י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the only
לְבַדִּ֑י (lə·ḇad·dî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

remaining
נוֹתַ֧רְתִּי (nō·w·ṯar·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

prophet
נָבִ֛יא (nā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

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

but Baal [has]
הַבַּ֔עַל (hab·ba·‘al)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god

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

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

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

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


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:22 Then Elijah said to the people (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:21
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