Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” New Living Translation Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.” English Standard Version Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” Berean Standard Bible Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” Berean Literal Bible And Elijah said to the prophets of the Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you⁺ are many. And call on the name of your⁺ god, and do not set a fire.” King James Bible And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. New King James Version Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” New American Standard Bible So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose the one ox for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the ox.” NASB 1995 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” NASB 1977 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” Legacy Standard Bible So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but place no fire under it.” Amplified Bible Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” Berean Annotated Bible Then Elijah (my God is YHWH) said to the prophets of Baal (lord), “Since you⁺ are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your⁺ god, but do not light the fire. Christian Standard Bible Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.” American Standard Version And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under. Contemporary English Version Elijah said to Baal's prophets, "There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god." English Revised Version And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under. GOD'S WORD® Translation Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves. Prepare yours first, because there are more of you. Call on the name of your god, but don't set the wood on fire." Good News Translation Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Since there are so many of you, you take a bull and prepare it first. Pray to your god, but don't set fire to the wood." International Standard Version So Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose an ox for yourselves and you prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but don't set fire to the offering." NET Bible Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls for yourselves and go first, for you are the majority. Invoke the name of your god, but do not light a fire." New Heart English Bible Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves, and prepare it first, for you are the majority, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it." Webster's Bible Translation And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” World English Bible Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Elijah says to the prophets of Ba‘al, “Choose one bullock for yourselves, and prepare [it] first, for you [are] the multitude, and call in the name of your god, and place no fire.” Berean Literal Bible And Elijah said to the prophets of the Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you⁺ are many. And call on the name of your⁺ god, and do not set a fire.” Young's Literal Translation And Elijah saith to the prophets of Baal, 'Choose for you the one bullock, and prepare first, for ye are the multitude, and call ye in the name of your god, and place no fire.' Smith's Literal Translation And Elijah will say to the prophets of Baal, Choose for yourselves the one bullock, and do first, for ye are many; and call upon the name of your god, and ye shall not put fire. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Elias said to the prophets of Baal: Choose you one bullock and dress it first, because you are many: and call on the names of your gods, but put no fire under. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal: “Choose for yourselves one ox, and prepare it first. For you are many. And call on the names of your gods, but do not place fire under it.” New American Bible Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire.” New Revised Standard Version Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose for yourselves one bullock, and prepare it first; for you are many; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Elyah said to the sons of Baala: “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, because you are many.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal: 'Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Eliu said to the prophets of shame, Choose to yourselves one calf, and dress it first, for ye are many; and call ye on the name of your god; but apply no fire. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elijah on Mount Carmel…24Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” 25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.… Cross References Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 2 Kings 10:21-23 Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end. / And Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, “Bring out garments for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out garments for them. / Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.” Hosea 13:1-2 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. / Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” Deuteronomy 13:1-5 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. … “Since you are so numerous, 2 Kings 10:19 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. 1 Kings 22:6-7 So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” 2 Chronicles 18:5-6 So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God will deliver it into the hand of the king.” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Leviticus 1:3-5 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. / And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 23:1-2 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” / So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Leviticus 4:3-5 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. / He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD. / Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it into the Tent of Meeting. Then call on the name of your god, Jonah 1:5-6 The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. / The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” Judges 10:13-14 But you have forsaken Me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. / Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.” Jeremiah 11:12 Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to which they have been burning incense, but these gods certainly will not save them in their time of disaster. but do not light the fire.” Leviticus 10:1-2 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 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. Exodus 7:11-12 But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs. Treasury of Scripture And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for you are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. Jump to Previous Baal Ba'al Bull Bullock Bulls Choose Dress Elijah Eli'jah Fire First Gods Light Multitude Ox Prayers Prepare Prophets Ready YourselvesJump to Next Baal Ba'al Bull Bullock Bulls Choose Dress Elijah Eli'jah Fire First Gods Light Multitude Ox Prayers Prepare Prophets Ready Yourselves1 Kings 18 1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah9. 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 prophets of Baal Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," stands as a prophet of the Lord during a time of rampant idolatry in Israel. The prophets of Baal were numerous, reflecting the widespread worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity associated with fertility and storms. This confrontation occurs on Mount Carmel, a significant location for both Baal worship and Israelite history, symbolizing a spiritual battleground. Since you are so numerous choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first Then call on the name of your god but do not light the fire Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of the Lord, Elijah is a central figure in this account, challenging the prophets of Baal to demonstrate the power of their god versus the power of Yahweh. 2. Prophets of Baal These are the false prophets serving Baal, a Canaanite deity. They are numerous, highlighting the widespread idolatry in Israel at the time. 3. Mount Carmel The location of this dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. It serves as a significant site for demonstrating God's power. 4. Baal A Canaanite god worshiped by many in Israel, representing a major spiritual adversary to the worship of Yahweh. 5. The Bull The sacrificial animal used in the contest, symbolizing the challenge to prove divine power through supernatural means. Teaching Points The Power of God vs. IdolatryThis event underscores the futility of idolatry and the supreme power of the one true God. Believers are reminded to examine their lives for modern forms of idolatry. Faith in Action Elijah's boldness in confronting the prophets of Baal is a testament to his faith. Christians are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, even when outnumbered or facing opposition. The Importance of Obedience Elijah's actions are in direct obedience to God's instructions. This highlights the importance of following God's commands, even when they seem daunting. Prayer and Dependence on God Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal demonstrates a deep reliance on God to reveal His power. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a prayerful dependence on God in all circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 18:25?2. How does 1 Kings 18:25 demonstrate the futility of idol worship today? 3. What does Elijah's challenge reveal about God's power versus false gods? 4. How can we apply Elijah's faith in God to our daily challenges? 5. What scriptural connections highlight God's supremacy over idols in 1 Kings 18:25? 6. How does Elijah's boldness in 1 Kings 18:25 inspire our spiritual leadership? 7. What does 1 Kings 18:25 reveal about the power of faith versus false beliefs? 8. How does Elijah's challenge in 1 Kings 18:25 test the authenticity of religious claims? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Kings 18:25? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 18? 11. How does 1 Kings 19 fit with other biblical accounts of Elijah and the broader historical context, considering potential timeline or narrative discrepancies? (1 Kings 19) 12. Where did Elijah challenge the prophets of Baal? 13. In 1 Kings 18:38, how can the sudden 'fire from the LORD' be explained scientifically or verified historically? 14. In 1 Kings 18:45, did rain immediately follow the contest in a way consistent with known weather patterns, or does this contradict natural observations? What Does 1 Kings 18:25 Mean Then Elijah said to the prophets of BaalElijah steps forward as God’s lone spokesman (1 Kings 18:22) and directly addresses the 450 prophets of Baal. • He speaks with authority because the Lord has already sent him to confront Ahab and the nation’s idolatry (1 Kings 18:1, 17–18). • Elijah’s words set the stage for a public demonstration similar to Moses’ confrontations with Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:8–13). Since you are so numerous Elijah points to their large number to highlight a striking contrast: God’s truth is not determined by majority vote. • 450 prophets of Baal (plus 400 prophets of Asherah who apparently stay silent) versus one prophet of the LORD (1 Kings 18:19). • Other instances where a faithful minority stood firm—Joshua and Caleb against the ten fearful spies (Numbers 14:6–10); Gideon’s 300 versus the Midianite host (Judges 7:2–7). choose for yourselves one bull Elijah offers them the first pick of the sacrificial animal, removing any claim of unfairness. • A bull was a standard burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3–5), symbolizing atonement and total surrender. • By letting them choose, Elijah showcases absolute confidence that the contest’s outcome depends solely upon the true God’s response, not on any earthly advantage (1 Samuel 17:45–47). and prepare it first He graciously gives them the initial turn. • They will have ample daylight and opportunity to perform every ritual they deem necessary. • Allowing them to “go first” recalls how God sometimes permits falsehood to reveal its emptiness before He acts decisively (1 Kings 18:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–11). Then call on the name of your god Elijah invites them to invoke Baal, famed as a storm- and fire-god in Canaanite lore. • This challenge targets Baal in his supposed area of strength—sending fire from heaven—making the impending failure even more humiliating (Psalm 115:3–8; Jeremiah 10:10–15). • Calling on a deity’s name indicates seeking direct intervention (Genesis 4:26; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21). but do not light the fire Human ignition is forbidden; only divine fire will validate the true God. • Scripture records several occasions when the LORD answered sacrifices with supernatural fire—Moses and Aaron (Leviticus 9:24), David (1 Chronicles 21:26), Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:1). • Elijah trusts that “the God who answers by fire—He is God” (1 Kings 18:24), anticipating verse 38 where “the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering.” summary 1 Kings 18:25 captures Elijah’s deliberate, faith-filled invitation to a decisive showdown. He levies every possible advantage to Baal’s prophets—greater numbers, first choice of the bull, first attempt at the altar—while withholding only the one element that will expose the lie: human-kindled fire. By doing so, Elijah ensures that when the LORD sends fire from heaven, Israel will have unmistakable proof that “the LORD, He is God” (1 Kings 18:39). Verse 25. - And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [or offer, as in ver. 23] it first; for ye are many [Heb. the many. Every pre-eminence and advantage which he gives to them will make his triumph, when it comes, all the greater. It is quite possible that he meant again to hint at their immense superiority in point of numbers. But no doubt he was only too glad to find a reason for their taking the lead. "He is anxious that their inability shall be fully manifested before he shows his own power" (Rawlinson). Whether the idea was also present in his mind that they "could prepare their victim in a much shorter time than he could prepare his" (ib.) is by no means so certain]; and call on the name of your gods [or god, i.e., Baal], but put no fire under. [The repetition (cf. ver. 24) shows that the ordeal was proposed separately to the people and the prophets.]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Elijahאֵלִיָּ֜הוּ (’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 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to the prophets לִנְבִיאֵ֣י (lin·ḇî·’ê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet of Baal, הַבַּ֗עַל (hab·ba·‘al) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god “Since כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַתֶּ֖ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are so numerous, הָרַבִּ֑ים (hā·rab·bîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great choose בַּחֲר֨וּ (ba·ḥă·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 977: To try, select for yourselves לָכֶ֜ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew one הָֽאֶחָד֙ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first bull הַפָּ֤ר (hap·pār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer and prepare וַעֲשׂ֣וּ (wa·‘ă·śū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make it first. רִאשֹׁנָ֔ה (ri·šō·nāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank Then call וְקִרְאוּ֙ (wə·qir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read on the name בְּשֵׁ֣ם (bə·šêm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8034: A name of your god, אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative but do not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no light תָשִֽׂימוּ׃ (ṯā·śî·mū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set the fire.” וְאֵ֖שׁ (wə·’êš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire Links 1 Kings 18:25 NIV1 Kings 18:25 NLT 1 Kings 18:25 ESV 1 Kings 18:25 NASB 1 Kings 18:25 KJV 1 Kings 18:25 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 18:25 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 18:25 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 18:25 French Bible 1 Kings 18:25 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 18:25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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