1 Kings 18:25

KJV

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first; for ye [are] many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under].

KJV (with Strong's)

And Elijah {H452} said {H559} unto the prophets {H5030} of Baal {H1168}, Choose {H977} you one {H259} bullock {H6499} for yourselves, and dress {H6213} it first {H7223}; for ye are many {H7227}; and call {H7121} on the name {H8034} of your gods {H430}, but put {H7760} no fire {H784} under.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Eliyahu said to the prophets of Ba'al, "Choose one bull for yourselves, and prepare it first; because there are many of you. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”

American Standard Version

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 18:25 encapsulates Elijah's audacious challenge to the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, setting the terms for a divine contest to determine the true God of Israel. With unwavering confidence in Yahweh, Elijah magnanimously grants the numerous false prophets the first opportunity to prepare their sacrifice and invoke their deity, explicitly forbidding any human intervention with fire, thereby ensuring that any manifestation of power would be undeniably supernatural and expose the impotence of their idol.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the pivotal moment immediately following Elijah's dramatic challenge to the apostate nation of Israel to choose between Yahweh and Baal in [1 Kings 18:21](/1_kings/18-21 "1 Kings 18:21 - Elijah's Challenge to Choose God or Baal"). The preceding chapters detail the severe drought prophesied by Elijah in [1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah Prophesies Drought"), a divine judgment against Israel's idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah's proposal for a contest on Mount Carmel, outlined in [1 Kings 18:19-24](/1_kings/18-19 "1 Kings 18:19-24 - Elijah's Challenge to Baal's Prophets"), culminates in the specific instructions of verse 25, which meticulously levels the playing field and removes any possibility of deception, setting the stage for the dramatic failure of Baal's prophets and the subsequent triumphant vindication of Yahweh.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The confrontation on Mount Carmel occurred during a period of intense religious syncretism and apostasy in Israel, largely driven by King Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess who vigorously promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah. Baal was a prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god, believed to control rain, thunder, and agricultural abundance—precisely what Israel desperately needed during the drought. The ritual of preparing a bullock for sacrifice was common in ancient Near Eastern religions, including Israelite worship, but the specific challenge to "call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under" directly confronted the common pagan practice of manipulating sacrifices or relying on human effort, demanding a truly divine intervention. Mount Carmel itself was a significant site, often associated with fertility and religious rituals.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 18:25](/1_kings/18-25 "1 Kings 18:25 - Elijah Sets the Terms of the Contest") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings") and the broader prophetic narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty vs. Idolatry**, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute control over creation and history in stark contrast to the impotence of false gods. Elijah's confident stance highlights the theme of **Prophetic Faithfulness**, as he stands alone against overwhelming odds, trusting fully in God's power. Furthermore, the meticulous rules set by Elijah, particularly the "no fire" clause, emphasize the theme of **Truth and Revelation**, ensuring that the true God would be undeniably revealed through supernatural means, leaving no room for human trickery or doubt, as seen in the dramatic outcome in [1 Kings 18:38-39](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38-39 - God Answers by Fire").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Baal (Hebrew, בַּעַל, _Ba'al'_):** This term, meaning "lord" or "master," was the proper name for the chief Canaanite deity, revered as the god of storms, rain, and fertility. His worship directly challenged the sovereignty of Yahweh, especially in a land dependent on rain for agriculture. The confrontation on Mount Carmel was thus a direct theological battle for Israel's allegiance.
* **Dress (Hebrew, עָשָׂה, _'asah'_):** While commonly translated "dress," the Hebrew verb _'asah_ here carries the broader meaning of "to make," "to prepare," or "to perform." In the context of sacrifice, it refers to the entire process of preparing the animal—slaughtering, cutting it into pieces, and arranging it on the altar. Elijah's instruction for the prophets to "dress it first" implies a complete and proper ritual preparation, leaving no room for excuses regarding an incomplete or faulty offering.
* **Put no fire under (Hebrew, לֹא תָשִׂימוּ אֵשׁ, _lo' tasimu 'esh'_):** This critical prohibition is the linchpin of the challenge. It explicitly forbids any human initiation of the fire for the burnt offering. This command serves to eliminate any possibility of human deception or manipulation, ensuring that if fire consumed the sacrifice, it would be a purely supernatural act, undeniably from the deity invoked. It highlights the fundamental difference between human religious effort and divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal":** This opening establishes Elijah's authority and initiative in setting the terms of the contest. Despite being outnumbered 450 to 1, Elijah, as Yahweh's prophet, dictates the rules, demonstrating his confidence in the God he serves.
* **"Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first":** Elijah grants the prophets of Baal the advantage of going first, allowing them ample time and resources. The instruction to "dress it" (prepare the sacrifice) ensures that the ritual is performed according to their own customs, removing any potential excuse for failure. This fairness underscores the undeniable nature of the subsequent divine intervention.
* **"for ye [are] many":** This parenthetical phrase explains Elijah's reasoning for allowing them to go first and for choosing their own bullock. It acknowledges their numerical superiority, further emphasizing Elijah's confidence and the impartiality of the contest. It also subtly highlights the disproportionate nature of the spiritual battle—truth often stands with the minority.
* **"and call on the name of your gods":** This is the core of the challenge: to invoke their deity to act. It demands a direct demonstration of Baal's power, specifically his ability to respond to his worshippers. This sets the stage for the dramatic and ultimately futile cries of the Baal prophets.
* **"but put no fire [under]":** This crucial stipulation is the ultimate test. By forbidding human ignition, Elijah ensures that only a genuinely supernatural act can consume the sacrifice. This exposes the inherent powerlessness of Baal, who, as a mere idol, cannot respond independently of human contrivance. It makes the subsequent divine intervention by Yahweh all the more miraculous and undeniable.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [1 Kings 18:25](/1_kings/18-25 "1 Kings 18:25 - Elijah Sets the Terms of the Contest") employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Elijah, the lone prophet of Yahweh, confidently dictates terms to the hundreds of Baal's prophets, giving them every advantage, knowing their god is impotent. This sets up the dramatic **contrast** between the frantic, desperate cries of Baal's prophets and Elijah's calm, deliberate actions later in the narrative. The phrase "put no fire under" serves as a crucial element of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the supernatural fire that will indeed descend, but from Yahweh, not Baal. The entire scene is a form of **divine drama**, orchestrated by Elijah to reveal the true nature of God, with the specific instructions of this verse building the tension and ensuring the clarity of the outcome. The **rhetorical challenge** posed by Elijah is designed not merely to win an argument but to expose spiritual deception and call a nation back to truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 18:25 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true deity. It asserts Yahweh's unique sovereignty and omnipotence in stark contrast to the fabricated power of idols. By setting terms that demand a supernatural response, Elijah implicitly declares that the true God is not dependent on human effort or manipulation but acts independently and powerfully. This confrontation highlights the exclusivity of God's claim to worship and His active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating that He is a living, responsive God, unlike the "gods" who "have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see" ([Psalm 115:5](/psalms/115-5 "Psalm 115:5 - Idols are Lifeless")). The entire episode serves as a powerful testament to God's desire for His people to abandon syncretism and idolatry and return to exclusive devotion to Him.

* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Futility of Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 10:1-16](/jeremiah/10-1 "Jeremiah 10:1-16 - The Lord is the True God, Not Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elijah's challenge in 1 Kings 18:25 offers enduring lessons for contemporary believers. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, spiritual claims, and worldly pursuits that promise fulfillment, this verse calls us to critically examine where our trust and allegiance truly lie. Just as Baal was a false god promising rain and fertility, today's "idols" might be wealth, power, fame, comfort, or even self-reliance, all of which ultimately fail to deliver genuine life or salvation. Elijah's confidence in Yahweh, even when outnumbered, reminds us that truth does not depend on popularity or majority opinion. We are called to stand firm in our conviction in the one true God, trusting that He will ultimately vindicate His name and demonstrate His power. This passage encourages us to allow the "tests" of life to reveal the true nature of our faith and the object of our worship, patiently waiting for God to act and expose the futility of anything that takes His rightful place in our hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Baals" or false sources of security and fulfillment might I be tempted to put my trust in today, rather than in the living God?**
* **How does Elijah's unwavering confidence in God, despite being outnumbered, challenge my own faith in difficult situations?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to "put no fire under" – meaning, cease my own efforts and manipulations, and wait for God's supernatural intervention?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elijah allow the prophets of Baal to go first and choose their own bullock?**

Answer: Elijah's decision to allow the prophets of Baal to go first and choose their own bullock was a strategic move to ensure the absolute undeniable nature of the forthcoming divine intervention. By granting them every possible advantage—numerical superiority, the first attempt, and the freedom to prepare their sacrifice according to their own customs—Elijah eliminated any potential excuse they might later offer for Baal's failure. It demonstrated remarkable fairness and confidence, ensuring that when Baal did not respond, and Yahweh did, the contrast would be stark and irrefutable, leaving no doubt in the minds of the Israelite onlookers about which deity was truly God, as ultimately seen in [1 Kings 18:39](/1_kings/18-39 "1 Kings 18:39 - The People Fall on Their Faces").

**What was the significance of the command "put no fire under"?**

Answer: The command "put no fire under" was the most crucial and defining term of the contest. In ancient sacrificial practices, it was common for human priests to light the fire for the burnt offering. By explicitly forbidding this, Elijah ensured that any fire that consumed the sacrifice would have to be of divine origin, a supernatural act. This stipulation directly challenged the inherent powerlessness of Baal, who, as a false god, could not act independently. It served to expose the futility of idolatry and to highlight the unique, active, and transcendent power of Yahweh, who alone could answer by fire from heaven, as He dramatically did in [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - God Sends Fire").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, initiated by Elijah's terms in [1 Kings 18:25](/1_kings/18-25 "1 Kings 18:25 - Elijah Sets the Terms of the Contest"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's power and truth in Jesus Christ. Just as Elijah stood as the lone prophet representing the true God against a multitude of false prophets, Jesus Christ stands as the unique Son of God, the sole mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")). The impotence of Baal, unable to answer by fire, points to the futility of all human efforts and false religions to bridge the gap with God. Only in Christ is the true "fire" of God's presence and power manifested, not in judgment as on Mount Carmel, but in the purifying and empowering work of the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ to dwell within believers ([Acts 2:3-4](/acts/2-3 "Acts 2:3-4 - Tongues of Fire at Pentecost")). The ultimate sacrifice, not of a bullock, but of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was consumed by the fire of God's wrath against sin, yet resulted in resurrection and life. Thus, the contest on Mount Carmel ultimately points to Christ as the one through whom God truly reveals Himself, not by a visible fire on an altar, but by the transformative power of His Spirit and the saving work of His cross, offering true life where idols offer only death ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.