1 Kings 18:33
New International Version
He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

New Living Translation
He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.”

English Standard Version
And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”

Berean Standard Bible
Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood,

King James Bible
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

New King James Version
And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he laid out the wood, and he cut the ox in pieces and placed it on the wood.

NASB 1995
Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood.

NASB 1977
Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and placed it on the wood.

Amplified Bible
Then he laid out the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood.

Christian Standard Bible
Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.”

American Standard Version
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt-offering, and on the wood.

Contemporary English Version
He placed the wood on the altar, then they cut the bull into pieces and laid the meat on the wood. He told the people, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood." After they did this,

English Revised Version
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and put it on the wood.

Good News Translation
Then he placed the wood on the altar, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the offering and the wood." They did so,

International Standard Version
Then he laid the wood in order, cut the bull into pieces, and laid them on top of the wood. "Fill four pitchers with water," he ordered. "Then pour them out on the burnt offering and the wood."

Majority Standard Bible
Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood,

NET Bible
He arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood.

New Heart English Bible
And he arranged the wood, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt-sacrifice, and on the wood.

World English Bible
He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he arranges the wood, and cuts the bullock in pieces, and places [it] on the wood, and says, “Fill four pitchers of water, and pour [them] on the burnt-offering, and on the wood”;

Young's Literal Translation
And he arrangeth the wood, and cutteth in pieces the bullock, and placeth it on the wood, and saith, 'Fill ye four pitchers of water, and pour on the burnt-offering, and on the wood;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will put in order the woods, and he will cut the bullock in pieces and put upon the woods,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he laid the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it upon the wood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he arranged the wood, and he cut the ox into pieces, and he placed it on the wood.

New American Bible
When he had arranged the wood, he cut up the young bull and laid it on the wood.

New Revised Standard Version
Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he put the wood in order and cut the bullock in pieces and laid it on the wood and said, Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he collected wood and he cut the bull in pieces and he placed it on top of the wood.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he piled the cleft wood on the altar which he had made, and divided the whole-burnt-offering, and laid it on the wood, and laid it in order on the altar, and said, Fetch me four pitchers of water, and pour it on the whole-burnt-offering, and on the wood. And they did so.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah on Mount Carmel
32And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood, 34and said, “Fill four waterpots and pour the water on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it a second time,” he said, and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time.…

Cross References
Exodus 29:38-42
This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. / With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. ...

Leviticus 1:7-9
The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. / Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood on the altar. / The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Genesis 22:9
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.

Judges 6:20-21
And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. / Then the angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. And fire flared from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
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. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Numbers 23:1-4
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. / “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height, ...

2 Kings 16:15
Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.”

2 Chronicles 4:6
He also made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the priests used the Sea for washing.

Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Ezekiel 43:18-27
Then He said to me: “Son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is constructed, so that burnt offerings may be sacrificed on it and blood may be splattered on it: / You are to give a young bull from the herd as a sin offering to the Levitical priests who are of the family of Zadok, who approach Me to minister before Me, declares the Lord GOD. / You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it. ...

Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Mark 9:49
For everyone will be salted with fire.

Luke 3:16
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Acts 2:3
They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.


Treasury of Scripture

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

he put

Genesis 22:9
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Leviticus 1:6-8
And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces…

fill four

Daniel 3:19,25
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated…

John 11:39,40
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days…

John 19:33,34
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: …

pour it

Judges 6:20
And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Jump to Previous
Arranged Arrangeth Bull Bullock Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Sacrifice Cut Cutteth Cutting Fill Four Full Jars Laid Offering Order Ox Pieces Pitchers Placeth Pour Sacrifice Second Vessels Water Wood
Jump to Next
Arranged Arrangeth Bull Bullock Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Sacrifice Cut Cutteth Cutting Fill Four Full Jars Laid Offering Order Ox Pieces Pitchers Placeth Pour Sacrifice Second Vessels Water Wood
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














Next, he arranged the wood
The phrase "arranged the wood" signifies Elijah's meticulous preparation for the altar. In Hebrew, the word for "arranged" is "ערך" (arak), which implies setting in order or organizing. This reflects the importance of order and obedience in worship. Elijah's actions remind us that God is a God of order, and our worship should reflect intentionality and reverence. The wood, often symbolic of humanity in biblical typology, represents the foundation upon which the sacrifice is made, pointing to the necessity of a prepared heart in approaching God.

cut up the bull
The act of cutting up the bull is a direct reference to the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew word for "cut" is "נתח" (nathach), meaning to divide or dissect. This action symbolizes the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. The bull, a valuable and significant offering, represents the costliness of true sacrifice. Elijah's adherence to this ritual underscores the importance of following God's commands precisely, highlighting the need for repentance and the foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

placed it on the wood
Placing the bull on the wood signifies the act of offering the sacrifice to God. This act is a physical manifestation of surrender and submission to God's will. The Hebrew context here emphasizes the importance of laying down one's life and desires in obedience to God. It is a powerful reminder of the need for personal sacrifice and dedication in our spiritual walk, echoing the call to take up our cross and follow Christ.

and said, 'Fill four jars with water
Elijah's command to fill four jars with water is a significant act of faith. In the context of a severe drought, water was a precious commodity. The number four often symbolizes completeness in the Bible, suggesting the totality of the offering. This act demonstrates Elijah's trust in God's provision and power, even in scarcity. It challenges believers to trust God fully, even when resources seem limited, and to offer Him our best, regardless of circumstances.

and pour it on the offering and on the wood
Pouring water on the offering and wood is an act of faith that defies human logic. In Hebrew culture, water is often a symbol of life and purification. By saturating the sacrifice, Elijah removes any doubt of human manipulation, ensuring that the coming miracle is attributed solely to God's power. This act of drenching the altar serves as a testament to God's ability to overcome natural obstacles, encouraging believers to trust in His supernatural intervention in their lives. It is a call to faith, reminding us that God's power is made perfect in our weakness.

(33) Fill four barrels--or pitchers. The filling of these at the time of drought has naturally excited speculation. A ready surmise, by those unacquainted with the country, was that the water was taken from the sea flowing at the base of Carmel; but a glance at the position and the height of the mountain puts this not unnatural surmise out of the question, as difficult, if not impossible. Examination of the locality has discovered a perennial spring in the neighbourhood of the traditional scene of the sacrifice, which is never known to fail in the severest drought. From this, no doubt (as indeed Josephus expressly says), the water was drawn, with, of course, the object of precluding all idea of fraud or contrivance, and bringing out strikingly the consuming fierceness of the fire from heaven, so emphatically described in 1Kings 18:38.

Verse 33. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood [Rawlinson says "He obeyed, that is, all the injunctions of the law with respect to the offering of a burnt sacrifice (see Leviticus 1:3-9), and adds, "He thus publicly taught that all the ordinances of the law were binding on the kingdom of Israel." But it is very probable that the priests of Baal had done the same things. All sacrifice involved such manual acts. Cf. Genesis 22:9, where the same word עָרַך is used. No doubt the prophet did everything in an orderly and regular way; but the people could hardly learn a lesson of obedience from such elementary acts as these, and the less so as the law provided, that the sacrifice should be offered only "by the priests, the sons of Aaron" (Leviticus 1:8), and Elijah's ministrations, consequently, might seem to warrant or condone the ministrations of Jeroboam's intrusive priesthood. That they did not lend any real sanction to those irregularities is clear, however, to us. For, in the first place, priests were not to be had, all having long since left the kingdom. In the second place, the higher commission of the prophet embraced within itself the authority for all necessary priestly acts. Cf. 1 Samuel 16:2. Elijah acted, as Grotius well observes, jure prophetico, minoribus legibus exsolutus, ut majores servaret], and said, Fill four barrels [Heb. כַּדּים. Cf. 1 Kings 17:12. It designates the ordinary water-pitcher, generally carried then, as now, by women: Genesis 24:14-20; Judges 7:16; Ecclesiastes 12:6] with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. [The water, as already remarked, was doubtless brought from the adjoining spring (though it is clear from ver. 40 that the Kishon was not dry, and Thomson thinks that its sources, and particularly the fountain of Saadieh, furnished the supply). "In such springs the water remains always cool, under the shade of a vaulted roof, and with no hot atmosphere to evaporate it. While all other fountains were dried up, I can well understand that there might have been found here that superabundance of water which Elijah poured so profusely over the altar" (Van de Velde, 1. p. 325).]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Next, he arranged
וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ (way·ya·‘ă·rōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

the wood,
הָֽעֵצִ֑ים (hā·‘ê·ṣîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

cut up
וַיְנַתַּח֙ (way·nat·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5408: To cut up, cut in pieces, divide by joints

the bull,
הַפָּ֔ר (hap·pār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer

placed
וַיָּ֖שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

it on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the wood,
הָעֵצִֽים׃ (hā·‘ê·ṣîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


Links
1 Kings 18:33 NIV
1 Kings 18:33 NLT
1 Kings 18:33 ESV
1 Kings 18:33 NASB
1 Kings 18:33 KJV

1 Kings 18:33 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 18:33 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 18:33 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 18:33 French Bible
1 Kings 18:33 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 18:33 He put the wood in order (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:32
Top of Page
Top of Page