King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 18:40 Mean?

1 Kings 18:40 in the King James Version says “And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Take: or, Apprehend

1 Kings 18:40 · KJV


Context

38

Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Take: or, Apprehend

41

And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. a sound: or, a sound of a noise of rain

42

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,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

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 · 19 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵֽלִיָּ֙הוּ֙2 of 19

And Elijah

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

לָהֶ֜ם3 of 19
H0
וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם4 of 19

And they took

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

אֶת5 of 19
H853

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

נְבִיאֵ֣י6 of 19

the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַבַּ֗עַל7 of 19

of Baal

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

אִ֛ישׁ8 of 19

let not one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַל9 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִמָּלֵ֥ט10 of 19

of them escape

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

מֵהֶ֖ם11 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם12 of 19

And they took

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

וַיּֽוֹרִדֵ֤ם13 of 19

brought them down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אֵֽלִיָּ֙הוּ֙14 of 19

And Elijah

H452

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

אֶל15 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נַ֣חַל16 of 19

to the brook

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

קִישׁ֔וֹן17 of 19

Kishon

H7028

kishon, a river of palestine

וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם18 of 19

and slew

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

שָֽׁם׃19 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 18:40 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 18:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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