King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 18:43 Mean?

1 Kings 18:43 in the King James Version says “And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.”

1 Kings 18:43 · KJV

Context

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,

43

And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

44

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. Prepare: Heb. Tie, or, Bind

45

And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

Read 1 Kings 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

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 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.

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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. 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 · 17 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר1 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶֽל2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נַעֲר֗וֹ3 of 17

“to his servant”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וַיַּ֙עַל֙4 of 17

“And he went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

נָא֙5 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וַיַּבֵּ֔ט6 of 17

“and looked”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

דֶּֽרֶךְ7 of 17

“toward”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יָ֔ם8 of 17

“the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַיַּ֙עַל֙9 of 17

“And he went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וַיַּבֵּ֔ט10 of 17

“and looked”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר11 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֣ין12 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְא֑וּמָה13 of 17

“There is nothing”

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר14 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֻׁ֖ב15 of 17

“Go again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שֶׁ֥בַע16 of 17

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פְּעָמִֽים׃17 of 17

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

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 18:43 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 18:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:3Luke 18:1Luke 18:7Hebrews 10:36-37Psalms 5:3Genesis 32:26

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