1 Kings 18:30

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.

And Elijah {H452} said {H559} unto all the people {H5971}, Come near {H5066} unto me. And all the people {H5971} came near {H5066} unto him. And he repaired {H7495} the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068} that was broken down {H2040}.

Then Eliyahu said to all the people, "Come here to me." All the people came up to him, as he set about repairing the altar of ADONAI that had been broken down.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down.

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me; and all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down.

1 Kings 18:30 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. After the prolonged, fruitless efforts of Baal's prophets to call down fire, Elijah takes center stage, preparing the way for the LORD's undeniable demonstration of power.

Context

This verse is set during a severe drought in Israel, a divine judgment for the nation's widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The scene on Mount Carmel is a direct challenge to determine who is the true God: Yahweh or Baal. Elijah's command, "Come near unto me," signals a shift from the chaotic pagan rituals to an orderly, reverent approach to the God of Israel. The "broken down" altar was likely an ancient altar dedicated to the LORD, signifying the spiritual decay and neglect of true worship that had pervaded the land.

Key Themes

  • Restoration of True Worship: Elijah's first act is not to build a new altar but to repair the existing one dedicated to the LORD. This symbolizes the call for Israel to return to its spiritual foundations and restore its covenant relationship with God, rather than adopting new, foreign practices.
  • Preparation for Divine Manifestation: The careful and deliberate act of repairing the altar demonstrates Elijah's faith and serves as a necessary preparation for God's miraculous intervention, which would soon follow with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38). It underscores the principle that human obedience often precedes divine action.
  • Elijah's Authority: By commanding the people to draw near, Elijah asserts his prophetic authority, not of himself, but as a servant of the LORD. This draws the focus away from the failed spectacle of Baal worship and towards the singular, true God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "repaired" is rapha (רפא), which carries a broader meaning than just mending something physically. It can also mean "to heal" or "to restore." In this context, it implies not only the physical reconstruction of the altar but also a symbolic act of healing the spiritual brokenness of Israel and restoring their relationship with the LORD.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers today of the importance of addressing spiritual decay and brokenness in our lives and communities. Just as Elijah repaired the altar, we are called to prioritize and restore genuine worship and devotion to God. It encourages us to remove the "broken down" altars of neglect, compromise, or idolatry in our hearts and to prepare ourselves for God's powerful presence and work.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:16

    And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 19:14

    And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

  • 1 Kings 19:10

    And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

  • Romans 11:3

    Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
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