King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 18:19 Mean?

1 Kings 18:19 in the King James Version says “Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Kings 18:19 · KJV

Context

17

And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

18

And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

19

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.

20

So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

21

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. opinions: or, thoughts

Read 1 Kings 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the prophets of baal, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Canaanite fertility religion promised agricultural prosperity through ritual practices honoring Baal (storm god) and Asherah (mother goddess), posing constant temptation to syncretism. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 23
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

שְׁלַ֨ח2 of 23

“Now therefore send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

קְבֹ֥ץ3 of 23

“and gather”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֵלַ֛י4 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת5 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל7 of 23

“to me all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַ֣ר9 of 23

“unto mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל10 of 23

“Carmel”

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וְאֶת11 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וּנְבִיאֵ֤י12 of 23

“and the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַבַּ֜עַל13 of 23

“of Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

אַרְבַּ֣ע14 of 23

“four”

H702

four

מֵא֔וֹת15 of 23

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים16 of 23

“and fifty”

H2572

fifty

וּנְבִיאֵ֤י17 of 23

“and the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֙18 of 23

“of the groves”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

אַרְבַּ֣ע19 of 23

“four”

H702

four

מֵא֔וֹת20 of 23

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֹֽכְלֵ֖י21 of 23

“which eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שֻׁלְחַ֥ן22 of 23

“table”

H7979

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

אִיזָֽבֶל׃23 of 23

“at Jezebel's”

H348

izebel, the wife of king ahab

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 18:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 18:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 16:33Joshua 19:262 Kings 2:252 Peter 2:11 Kings 19:1-2Jeremiah 46:18

Places in This Verse

Mount CarmelMountain · Modern: Mount Carmel · 32.67°N, 35.02°E18 verses across 9 books
View all places in 1 Kings 18 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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