King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They took the bull that was given to them, prepared it and called on the name of Ba'al from morning till noon - "Ba'al! Answer us!" But no voice was heard; and no one answered, as they jumped around on the altar they had made.
Berean Standard Bible:
And 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.
American Standard Version:
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they took{H3947} the bullock{H6499} which was given{H5414} them, and they dressed{H6213} it, and called{H7121} on the name{H8034} of Baal{H1168} from morning{H1242} even until noon{H6672}, saying{H559}, O Baal{H1168}, hear{H6030} us. But there was no{H369} voice{H6963}, nor any that answered{H6030}. And they leaped{H6452} upon the altar{H4196} which was made{H6213}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 10:5
- They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.
Matthew 6:7
- But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
1 Corinthians 8:4
- ¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.
1 Corinthians 12:2
- Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Daniel 5:23
- But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Isaiah 37:38
- And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Zephaniah 1:9
- In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 18:26
1 Kings 18:26 is set within the broader narrative of the prophet Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. This event occurs during a period of great spiritual and political turmoil in the history of Israel, when King Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Jezebel, have promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah, challenging the exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In this verse, the prophets of Baal are engaging in a ritual intended to invoke their god's response. They prepare a sacrificial bullock, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, and call out to Baal from morning until noon, imploring him to answer them. Their pleas, however, are met with silence—a stark contrast to the powerful demonstration of Yahweh's presence that is about to unfold through Elijah. The text emphasizes the futility of their efforts, as no voice or answer is heard from Baal, highlighting the impotence of the false god compared to the living God of Israel.
The themes present in this verse include the challenge to false worship, the sovereignty and power of Yahweh over other gods, and the importance of faithfulness to the covenant between God and His people. The historical context underscores the religious syncretism of the time and the divine contest that is about to reach its climax, as Elijah prepares to demonstrate the supremacy of Yahweh. This confrontation serves as a pivotal moment in the spiritual life of Israel, calling the people to a renewal of their covenant relationship with God and to reject the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated their culture.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H6499
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּר
Transliteration: par
Pronunciation: par
Description: or פָּר; from פָּרַר; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof); ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H1168
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּעַל
Transliteration: Baʻal
Pronunciation: bah'-al
Description: the same as בַּעַל; Baal, a Phoenician deity; Baal, (plural) Baalim. - Strong's Number: H1242
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֹּקֶר
Transliteration: bôqer
Pronunciation: bo'-ker
Description: from בָּקַר; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning; ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. - Strong's Number: H6672
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹהַר
Transliteration: tsôhar
Pronunciation: tso'-har
Description: from צָהַר; a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon; midday, noon(-day, -tide), window. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת. - Strong's Number: H369
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַיִן
Transliteration: ʼayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle; else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare אַיִן. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H6452
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּסַח
Transliteration: pâçach
Pronunciation: paw-sakh'
Description: a primitive root; to hop, i.e. (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance; halt, become lame, leap, pass over. - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.