1 Kings 18:27

KJV

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at noon {H6672}, that Elijah {H452} mocked {H2048} them, and said {H559}, Cry {H7121} aloud {H1419}{H6963}: for he is a god {H430}; either he is talking {H7879}, or he is pursuing {H7873}, or he is in a journey {H1870}, or peradventure {H194} he sleepeth {H3463}, and must be awaked {H3364}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Around noon Eliyahu began ridiculing them: "Shout louder! After all, he's a god, isn't he? Maybe he's daydreaming, or he's on the potty, or he's away on a trip. Maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up."

Berean Standard Bible

At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud; for he is a god: either he is musing, or he is gone aside, or he is on a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
At the climactic midday point of the Mount Carmel confrontation, captures the prophet Elijah's biting sarcasm directed at the 450 prophets of Baal. As their desperate cries and self-mutilation yield no response from their deity, Elijah's taunts expose the absolute impotence of Baal, contrasting the lifeless idol with the living, active God of Israel and setting the stage for Yahweh's dramatic intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the zenith of the contest on Mount Carmel, following the Baal prophets' prolonged and futile attempts to invoke their god from morning until noon, as described in [1 Kings 18:26](/1_kings/18-26 "1 Kings 18:26 - Baal's Futile Calls"). The preceding narrative details Elijah's challenge to King Ahab and the prophets of Baal to a decisive showdown to determine the true God who answers by fire. Elijah's mockery here serves as a dramatic interlude, highlighting the futility of the Baal worshipers' efforts and intensifying the tension before Yahweh's decisive display of power, which culminates in [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - Fire from Heaven"). The timing "at noon" emphasizes the duration of the false prophets' failure and the increasing absurdity of their situation, making Elijah's intervention all the more impactful.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - The Contest on Mount Carmel") unfold during a severe three-and-a-half-year drought in Israel, a divine judgment for the nation's widespread apostasy under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who aggressively promoted the worship of Baal. Baal was revered as the Canaanite storm god, responsible for rain, thunder, and fertility. The profound irony of Baal's inability to send fire (or rain, which was his supposed domain) is palpable. The practices of the Baal prophets—crying aloud, leaping, and cutting themselves—were common ecstatic rituals in ancient Near Eastern pagan religions, intended to compel their deities to act. Elijah's challenge directly confronts this state-sponsored idolatry, asserting Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including the very elements Baal supposedly controlled, thereby demonstrating the emptiness of their syncretistic beliefs.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 18:27](/1_kings/18-27 "1 Kings 18:27 - Elijah Mocks Baal's Prophets") powerfully underscores the **Impotence of Idolatry** against the **Sovereignty of Yahweh**. Elijah's taunts expose Baal as a non-entity, deaf, distracted, or even asleep, in stark contrast to the ever-present, all-powerful God of Israel. This scene also highlights **Elijah's Unwavering Faith and Prophetic Zeal**, as he fearlessly confronts the prevailing religious falsehoods, demonstrating absolute confidence in Yahweh's ability to vindicate Himself. Furthermore, the passage serves as a vivid illustration of **Divine Mockery of Falsehood**, echoing themes found in other prophetic critiques of idols, such as the detailed denouncement of idol-making and their powerlessness in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idols") or the psalmist's description of idols having "mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not" in [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Powerlessness of Idols").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mocked (Hebrew, _hâthal'_):** From H2048, this primitive root means "to deride; by implication, to cheat." Elijah's action is not a light jest but a severe, contemptuous ridicule. It's a deliberate prophetic act designed to expose the profound deception and utter futility of the Baal prophets' efforts and the non-existence of their supposed god. This mockery strips Baal of any perceived dignity or power, preparing the people to see the truth of his impotence.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** From H430, this plural noun can refer to "gods in the ordinary sense" or, with the article, to the supreme God. Here, it is used ironically by Elijah to refer to Baal. The sarcastic tone of "for he [is] a god" highlights the pretense of Baal's divinity. Elijah's subsequent suggestions ("talking," "pursuing," "in a journey," "sleepeth") are all human limitations utterly unfitting for a true deity, further emphasizing the emptiness of the claim that Baal is a god and contrasting him sharply with Yahweh.
* **Sleepeth (Hebrew, _yâshên'_):** From H3463, meaning "sleepy; asleep." This word represents the most cutting and absurd suggestion Elijah makes about Baal. To imply that a god could be asleep and need to be awakened not only highlights his powerlessness and indifference but also his complete unawareness of his worshipers' desperate plight. This directly contrasts with the God of Israel, who "will not slumber nor sleep" ([Psalm 121:4](/psalm/121-4 "Psalm 121:4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber")), underscoring Yahweh's constant vigilance and attentiveness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said,"**: This opening clause establishes the precise timing—midday—underscoring the prolonged and fruitless efforts of Baal's prophets. Elijah's action of "mocking" them is not a casual insult but a deliberate, prophetic act intended to expose the spiritual bankruptcy of their worship and to prepare the people for the revelation of Yahweh's power. His words are a direct, public challenge to the prevailing idolatry and a dramatic turning point in the contest.
* **"Cry aloud: for he [is] a god;"**: Elijah's command to "Cry aloud" is a sarcastic exhortation, urging the prophets to intensify their futile efforts. The phrase "for he [is] a god" is dripping with irony, using the very title they ascribe to Baal to highlight the stark contrast between their claims and Baal's manifest silence and powerlessness. It's a rhetorical question disguised as a statement, forcing the audience to confront the logical absurdity of their belief in a deity who fails to respond.
* **"either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey,"**: These are a series of hypothetical, anthropomorphic excuses for Baal's silence, all of which are profoundly demeaning to any supposed deity. "Talking" (or meditating deeply) implies preoccupation; "pursuing" suggests he's engaged in hunting or battle, distracted from his worshipers; "in a journey" implies absence or being far away. Each possibility paints Baal as limited, finite, and utterly unlike the omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent God of Israel, who is never preoccupied, distracted, or absent.
* **"[or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked."**: This final, most cutting suggestion is the ultimate insult and the climax of Elijah's sarcasm. To suggest that a god could be asleep and need to be awakened not only highlights his powerlessness but also his utter indifference or unawareness of his worshipers' plight. This directly contrasts with the God of Israel, who "will not slumber nor sleep" ([Psalm 121:4](/psalm/121-4 "Psalm 121:4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber")). Elijah's mockery systematically dismantles every possible defense for Baal's silence, leaving no room for doubt about his non-existence and Yahweh's incomparable nature.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Kings 18:27](/1_kings/18-27 "1 Kings 18:27 - Elijah Mocks Baal's Prophets") is rich in literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Elijah's words feign respect for Baal's divinity while simultaneously exposing its utter falsehood. His command to "Cry aloud: for he [is] a god" is a classic example of **Sarcasm**, where the literal meaning is the opposite of the intended meaning, designed to mock and ridicule. Elijah employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human limitations—talking, pursuing, traveling, sleeping—to Baal, thereby highlighting the absurdity of worshipping a god conceived in human terms and subject to human frailties. This also serves as a powerful form of **Contrast**, sharply differentiating the inert, human-like Baal from the living, active, and transcendent Yahweh. Furthermore, the entire exchange functions as **Dramatic Foreshadowing**, building tension and anticipation for the inevitable display of Yahweh's power, which will unequivocally demonstrate His supremacy over all false gods.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Elijah's mockery in [1 Kings 18:27](/1_kings/18-27 "1 Kings 18:27 - Elijah Mocks Baal's Prophets") serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true deity versus false idols. It asserts Yahweh's absolute and exclusive sovereignty, challenging any syncretistic tendencies or attempts to equate Him with pagan gods. The silence of Baal, despite the fervent and desperate pleas of his prophets, underscores the fundamental biblical truth that idols are "the work of men's hands" ([Psalm 115:4](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4 - The Powerlessness of Idols")), having no power to hear, see, or act. This scene is a powerful polemic against all forms of idolatry, whether ancient or modern, reminding us that anything that usurps God's rightful place in our lives is ultimately powerless to deliver or satisfy. The living God, unlike Baal, is always attentive to His people, ever-present, and actively involved in history, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

* [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - God Answers by Fire")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - Idols Are Lifeless")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elijah's audacious mockery of Baal's prophets at noon on Mount Carmel serves as a timeless mirror for believers today. It compels us to critically examine the "gods" we might unwittingly serve in our own lives—anything that demands our ultimate allegiance, trust, or time apart from the one true God. Modern idols may not be carved images, but they can manifest as careers, financial security, social status, entertainment, personal comfort, or even self-reliance. Just like Baal, these false gods ultimately prove silent, powerless, and unable to deliver true satisfaction, security, or salvation. This passage calls us to an unwavering, exclusive trust in Yahweh, the God who hears, sees, and acts. It challenges us to cultivate a zeal for God's honor that is willing to confront falsehoods, both within ourselves and in the world around us, and to live with the confident assurance that our God is not asleep or distracted, but is intimately involved in our lives and sovereign over all creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" or ultimate sources of security and satisfaction might I be relying on in my life, consciously or unconsciously, apart from the living God?**
* **How does Elijah's bold confrontation of idolatry challenge my own willingness to stand for truth in a world that often embraces spiritual compromises?**
* **In what ways do I sometimes act as if God is "asleep" or "on a journey" in my own life, rather than fully present and active?**
* **How can the dramatic demonstration of God's power on Mount Carmel strengthen my faith and trust in Him alone?**

### FAQ
**Was Elijah's mockery of the prophets of Baal appropriate or just disrespectful?**

Answer: From a biblical and theological perspective, Elijah's mockery was not merely disrespectful but a divinely inspired prophetic act. It served a crucial purpose in exposing the utter futility and absurdity of Baal worship, which was leading Israel into apostasy and divine judgment. The God of Israel is a jealous God who demands exclusive worship, as stated in the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods"). Elijah's actions were a polemic against idolatry, designed to strip Baal of any perceived power or dignity in the eyes of the people, thereby preparing them to acknowledge the sole sovereignty of Yahweh. His sarcasm highlighted the stark contrast between the living God, who hears and acts, and a dead idol that is deaf and powerless, echoing similar divine mockery found in [Psalm 2:4](/psalm/2-4 "Psalm 2:4 - The Lord Laughs at the Nations"). It was a necessary, albeit harsh, method to bring the people back to a right understanding of God and to demonstrate the incomparable nature of Yahweh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, culminating in Elijah's mockery and Yahweh's fiery response, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Elijah exposed the impotence of Baal, Christ definitively triumphed over all spiritual powers and principalities, demonstrating that He alone is the true and living God, ever-present and fully capable of hearing and answering. Unlike Baal, who was "asleep" and needed to be awakened, Jesus is the One who, even in death, was not held by the grave but rose victoriously, proving His absolute authority over life and death ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus")). He is the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), unlike the futile self-mutilations of Baal's prophets. The fire that consumed Elijah's sacrifice foreshadows the consuming fire of God's holiness and judgment, which was fully satisfied in Christ's atoning work on the cross, allowing for a new covenant of grace ([Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")). In Christ, we encounter the God who is not distant or distracted, but who has drawn near, dwelling among us, and offering eternal life to all who call upon His name ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the God who hears every prayer and is actively involved in the lives of His people, fulfilling the promise of a present and powerful deity.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Psalms 78:66

And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

Isaiah 41:23

Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye [are] gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold [it] together.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.

Isaiah 44:15

Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth [it], and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth [it]; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

Isaiah 44:17

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, [even] his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth [it], and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou [art] my god.

Mark 4:38

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?