1 Kings 18:29

KJV

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when midday {H6672} was past {H5674}, and they prophesied {H5012} until the time of the offering {H5927} of the evening sacrifice {H4503}, that there was neither voice {H6963}, nor any to answer {H6030}, nor any that regarded {H7182}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By now it was afternoon, and they went on ranting and raving until it was time for the evening offering. But no voice came, no one answered, no one paid any attention.

Berean Standard Bible

Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention.

American Standard Version

And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening oblation; but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 18:29 marks the dramatic climax of the prophets of Baal's futile efforts to summon their god on Mount Carmel. Following hours of frenzied rituals and desperate cries, the verse emphatically declares Baal's utter silence and non-response, setting the stage for Yahweh's powerful and undeniable display of divine authority. It underscores the profound emptiness of idolatry and the stark contrast between a false deity and the living God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned at the culmination of the first phase of the epic confrontation on Mount Carmel, initiated by Elijah in [1 Kings 18:20-24](/1_kings/18-20 "Elijah's Challenge to the Prophets of Baal"). The preceding verses ([1 Kings 18:25-28](/1_kings/18-25 "The Prophets of Baal's Desperate Rituals")) detail the prophets of Baal's increasingly desperate and self-mutilating attempts to elicit a response from their deity, beginning from morning and extending through midday. Verse 29 serves as the definitive pronouncement of their failure, marking the end of their segment of the contest and creating a profound sense of anticipation for Elijah's subsequent actions and Yahweh's inevitable intervention, which immediately follows in [1 Kings 18:30-39](/1_kings/18-30 "Yahweh's Dramatic Response on Mount Carmel"). It is the narrative pivot point from human futility to divine omnipotence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "The Contest on Mount Carmel") unfold during a severe drought in Israel, a divine judgment for the widespread idolatry introduced by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, particularly the worship of Baal. Baal was revered as the storm god, responsible for rain, thunder, and fertility, making the drought a direct challenge to his perceived power. The contest on Mount Carmel, a prominent site often associated with Baal worship, was designed to definitively prove which deity was the true God of Israel. The "evening sacrifice" mentioned in the verse refers to the daily burnt offering performed in the Jerusalem Temple, typically around 3 PM. This was a significant time for prayer and worship in Israelite culture, as seen in [Daniel's prayer](/daniel/9-21 "Daniel's Prayer at the Time of the Evening Sacrifice") at this hour. The Baal prophets' rituals, including ecstatic dancing and self-laceration, were characteristic practices of ancient Near Eastern pagan worship, intended to coerce or appease their gods.

* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in [1 Kings 18:29](/1_kings/18-29 "The Silence of Baal") is the **Futility of Idolatry**. Despite fervent, prolonged, and even violent efforts, Baal remains utterly silent, powerfully demonstrating the non-existence and powerlessness of false gods. This contrasts sharply with the living God who hears and responds, as vividly illustrated when Yahweh answers Elijah's prayer in [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "God's Immediate Answer to Elijah"). The verse also highlights the **Sovereignty of God versus Human Manipulation**. No amount of human ritual, passion, or self-inflicted pain can compel a response from a false deity; true divine intervention stems solely from God's sovereign will and power. Furthermore, it underscores the **Authenticity of True Worship**, which is rooted in a relationship with a God who actively engages with His creation, unlike the deadness of idols described in passages like [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4 "Idols Have Mouths But Do Not Speak").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesied (Hebrew, _nābā'_):** While this verb can refer to genuine prophetic activity, in the context of the prophets of Baal, especially given their preceding frenzied and self-mutilating actions described in [1 Kings 18:28](/1_kings/18-28 "Prophets of Baal's Extreme Rituals"), it carries the strong nuance of 'raving,' 'acting like a prophet in a frenzy,' or 'babbling ecstatically.' It suggests an uncontrolled, ecstatic, and ultimately unproductive display, devoid of genuine divine inspiration or revelation.
* **Regarded (Hebrew, _qāshav_):** This word means "to listen," "to pay attention," or "to heed." Its inclusion in the triple negation ("neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded") emphasizes the absolute and complete lack of any form of attention or acknowledgment from Baal. It's not just that he didn't speak or answer, but he didn't even *listen* or *pay attention* to their desperate pleas, underscoring his non-existence or utter indifference.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when midday was past":** This phrase establishes the prolonged duration of the Baal prophets' efforts. They began their rituals in the morning ([1 Kings 18:26](/1_kings/18-26 "Baal Prophets Call on Baal")), and by this point, they had continued well beyond noon, indicating many hours of fervent, exhausting, and ultimately fruitless activity. It highlights their unwavering, yet misdirected, devotion.
* **"and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice":** This further specifies the extended period of their "prophesying" or frenzied rituals. The "evening sacrifice" was a significant marker in the Israelite day, typically observed around 3 PM. This detail emphasizes that the prophets of Baal exhausted every possible moment and effort, from dawn until the traditional time for Yahweh's worship, yet still received no response. It sets a precise temporal boundary for their failure.
* **"that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded":** This is the climactic declaration of Baal's absolute silence and impotence. The triple negation powerfully emphasizes the complete absence of any sign of life, power, or even acknowledgment from the false god. "Neither voice" means no sound, no thunder, no utterance. "Nor any to answer" means no response to their fervent prayers and pleas. "Nor any that regarded" means no one (i.e., Baal) even paid attention to their desperate cries. This stark, emphatic statement underscores the futility of their worship and the non-existence of their deity.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [1 Kings 18:29](/1_kings/18-29 "The Silence of Baal") is **Repetition** through the emphatic triple negation: "neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." This rhetorical device amplifies the absolute silence and non-response of Baal, driving home the point of his powerlessness and non-existence. The cumulative effect of these three phrases is to underscore the utter futility of the prophets' efforts. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; Baal, supposedly a storm god associated with thunder and rain, cannot even produce a sound, let alone fire. This contrasts sharply with the immediate and overwhelming response of Yahweh, the true God, who later sends fire from heaven. The verse also functions as an **Anticlimax** for the prophets of Baal, building up to nothing, while simultaneously serving as a moment of **Foreshadowing** for the spectacular demonstration of Yahweh's power that is about to occur.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 18:29 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true deity versus false gods. It unequivocally declares the futility of worshipping idols, which are deaf, dumb, and powerless, unable to respond to the most fervent human appeals. This silence of Baal stands in stark contrast to the living God of Israel, Yahweh, who is consistently portrayed as active, hearing, and responsive to the prayers of His people. The passage powerfully illustrates that genuine divine power and intervention come from God's sovereign will, not from human manipulation or frenzied rituals. It underscores the unique attribute of Yahweh as the only true God who interacts with His creation and fulfills His promises, unlike the lifeless fabrications of human hands.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4 "Idols Have Mouths But Do Not Speak"): "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell; they have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat."
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "The Folly of Idolatry"): This passage vividly mocks the absurdity of idol worship, describing how a craftsman uses part of a tree for fuel and the other part to carve a god, then bows down to it.
* [Jeremiah 10:1-16](/jeremiah/10-1 "The Worthlessness of Idols Compared to God"): "For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree from the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter... They are but a breath, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they will perish."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The silence of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29 resonates powerfully in our contemporary world, urging us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and devotion. In an age saturated with competing ideologies, self-help gurus, material pursuits, and digital distractions, we are constantly tempted to "prophesy" to things that ultimately cannot deliver. This verse challenges us to consider what "gods" we are investing our time, energy, and hope in—whether it be career success, financial security, social status, personal comfort, or even our own abilities—and whether these pursuits leave us with "neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." It calls us to discern true power and genuine responsiveness, reminding us that the Christian faith is founded upon the living God who hears, acts, and reveals Himself, not a silent idol. Our patience in waiting for God's timing, as Elijah did for the evening sacrifice, is also highlighted, encouraging us to trust in His perfect timing rather than frantically striving for our own solutions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or false sources of security and fulfillment might I be "prophesying" to in my own life, expecting them to answer my deepest needs?**
* **How does the silence of Baal challenge my assumptions about where true power and help reside?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own frantic efforts rather than patiently waiting for God's timing and intervention?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper relationship with the living God who hears and responds, rather than seeking answers from things that are ultimately silent?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the "evening sacrifice" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "evening sacrifice" (Hebrew: *minḥat ha-ʿerev*) was a crucial component of the daily sacrificial system in ancient Israel, typically offered at the Temple in Jerusalem around the ninth hour of the day, which corresponds to approximately 3 PM. This offering, along with the morning sacrifice, marked the rhythm of daily worship and prayer for the Israelites. It was a time when the community would gather, or at least orient themselves, towards the Temple for prayer and spiritual reflection. For Elijah to wait until this specific time before calling upon Yahweh was highly significant; it was a deliberate act to align his appeal with the established time of Israelite worship, emphasizing that he was operating within the covenant framework of the God of Israel, in stark contrast to the pagan rituals of the Baal prophets. This timing also allowed the Baal prophets ample opportunity to demonstrate their god's impotence, making Yahweh's subsequent, immediate response all the more dramatic and undeniable. We see the importance of this time in other biblical accounts, such as [Daniel's prayer](/daniel/9-21 "Daniel's Prayer at the Evening Sacrifice") and the healing of the lame man in [Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Peter and John Go to the Temple at the Hour of Prayer").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound silence of Baal in [1 Kings 18:29](/1_kings/18-29 "The Silence of Baal") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the living Word of God. While Baal was utterly voiceless and unresponsive, Jesus is the very **Voice of God** made flesh, the perfect expression of the Father's will and power. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") reveals that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Where Baal could not even produce a sound, Jesus speaks with divine authority, calming storms ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")), casting out demons ([Matthew 8:16](/matthew/8-16 "Jesus Casts Out Demons")), and raising the dead ([John 11:43](/john/11-43 "Jesus Raises Lazarus")). Furthermore, the futile sacrifices offered to Baal contrast sharply with Jesus, who is the ultimate and perfect **Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world** ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His single, decisive sacrifice on the cross, offered "once for all" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Christ Appeared Once for All")), was not a desperate plea to a silent deity, but a powerful act of redemption that secured humanity's reconciliation with a living, responsive God. Thus, the silence of Baal foreshadows the glorious truth that God has spoken definitively and acted decisively in Christ, offering not silence, but salvation and eternal life to all who believe.

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

Galatians 4:8

¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

1 Kings 22:12

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the king's hand.

Exodus 29:41

And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 18:10

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and [there was] a javelin in Saul's hand.

1 Corinthians 11:4

Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.

1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

1 Kings 22:10

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.