1 Kings 18:34

KJV

And he said, Do [it] the second time. And they did [it] the second time. And he said, Do [it] the third time. And they did [it] the third time.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Do it the second time {H8138}. And they did it the second time {H8138}. And he said {H559}, Do it the third time {H8027}. And they did it the third time {H8027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said, "Fill four pots with water, and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." They did it. "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he said, and they did it a third time.

Berean Standard Bible

and said, “Fill four waterpots and pour the water on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it a second time,” he said, and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time.

American Standard Version

And he said, Do it the second time; and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time; and they did it the third time.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 18:34 vividly portrays Elijah's extraordinary and deliberate command to drench the altar and sacrifice with water, not just once, but a second and then a third time. This meticulously executed instruction was a strategic move designed to eliminate any human explanation for the impending miracle, thereby magnifying the undeniable, supernatural power of Yahweh. This pivotal moment on Mount Carmel served as a decisive confrontation between the true God and false deities, setting the stage for a spectacular divine intervention that would affirm God's unique identity and absolute sovereignty in the eyes of a wavering Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, as detailed in [1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah's Confrontation on Mount Carmel"). The preceding chapters establish a severe three-and-a-half-year drought, a divine judgment for Israel's pervasive idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (as prophesied by Elijah in [1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah's Prophecy of Drought")). Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to a decisive contest: whichever deity sends fire to consume a sacrifice will be acknowledged as the true God. After the prophets of Baal fail to elicit any response from their god despite hours of fervent rituals, self-mutilation, and desperate cries, Elijah takes center stage. He meticulously repairs the broken altar of the Lord, digs a trench around it, and then issues the seemingly counter-intuitive command to saturate the sacrifice and wood with water. The repetition of this command in verse 34 serves to heighten the tension, underscore the human impossibility of the impending miracle, and ultimately accentuate the divine origin of the fire that spectacularly descends in [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - God Sends Fire from Heaven").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The confrontation unfolds during a period of intense religious apostasy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, primarily instigated by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's zealous promotion of Baal worship. Baal was revered as the Canaanite storm and fertility god, believed to control rain, thunder, and lightning—precisely the elements absent during the devastating drought. Mount Carmel itself was a significant location, possibly a sacred site for Baal worship, making it an ideal stage for a direct challenge to his perceived authority. The act of drenching the altar with water in the midst of a severe drought was not only an extravagant use of a desperately precious resource but also a direct mockery of Baal's supposed dominion over water and fire. It was a public, undeniable demonstration that if fire were to consume the sacrifice, it could only come from a divine source far superior to Baal, whose prophets had already failed to produce even a spark. This public spectacle was intended to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to Yahweh, the God who truly controls the heavens and the earth, and to expose the impotence of their false gods.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, showcasing Yahweh's absolute control over creation, including fire and water, and His supremacy over all false gods. Elijah's command to drench the altar demonstrates his unwavering confidence in God's ability to act supernaturally, even in circumstances designed to make a miracle humanly impossible. Secondly, it underscores **Elijah's Faith and Boldness**. His actions are not only a test for the prophets of Baal but also a profound declaration of his own trust in Yahweh, deliberately removing any human explanation for the impending miracle. Thirdly, the event serves as a stark **Exposure of Falsehood and Idolatry**. By contrasting the futile efforts of the prophets of Baal with the clear, unambiguous power of the Lord, this entire episode, culminating in the fire from heaven, utterly discredits the worship of Baal and reveals the emptiness of idolatry. The more difficult Elijah made the task, the greater the contrast with Baal’s silence, leading to the people's confession in [1 Kings 18:39](/1_kings/18-39 "1 Kings 18:39 - The People's Confession"). Finally, the meticulous preparation, including the repeated drenching of the sacrifice, emphasizes the **Preparation for a Miracle**. This seemingly counter-intuitive act was crucial in amplifying the magnitude of the miracle, leaving no doubt that the fire was indeed from Heaven.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies to speak, declare, or command with great latitude. In 1 Kings 18:34, Elijah's repeated use of "said" underscores his authority as God's prophet and the deliberateness of his instructions. It highlights that these actions are not spontaneous but part of a divinely orchestrated plan, emphasizing the prophetic utterance that sets the stage for God's demonstration of power.
* **second time (Hebrew, _shânâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to fold" or "duplicate," this word emphasizes repetition and the act of doing something again. Its use here signifies a deliberate reinforcement of the initial drenching. By commanding the water to be poured a "second time," Elijah ensures an even greater saturation, making any natural ignition of the sacrifice increasingly improbable and thus magnifying the supernatural nature of the impending divine fire.
* **third time (Hebrew, _shâlash'_):** This word, related to the number three, implies triplication or completeness. The command to drench the altar a "third time" brings the act of saturation to its absolute maximum, creating an insurmountable barrier to any humanly conceived fire. The number three often symbolizes divine completeness or emphasis in biblical narratives, and here it serves to underscore the utter impossibility of the task from a human perspective, thereby ensuring that the subsequent divine intervention is undeniably miraculous and glorious.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Do [it] the second time."**: This clause reveals Elijah's precise and deliberate instruction, building upon the initial drenching. It signifies a calculated strategy to escalate the conditions, making the impending miracle utterly undeniable. This command removes any possibility that the fire could be naturally kindled or a result of human intervention, setting an even higher bar for divine demonstration and emphasizing Elijah's unwavering faith.
* **"And they did [it] the second time."**: This indicates the immediate and obedient response of Elijah's servants. Their compliance underscores the thoroughness of the drenching. The act was carried out exactly as commanded, ensuring that the altar, wood, and sacrifice were indeed saturated beyond any normal measure, further solidifying the conditions for an irrefutable miracle and demonstrating the meticulous preparation.
* **"And he said, Do [it] the third time."**: Elijah's final command for drenching pushes the conditions to an extreme. The triple repetition, particularly with the precious resource of water during a severe drought, signifies an ultimate act of faith and a final, definitive step to ensure the supernatural nature of God's response. It is a bold challenge to God Himself, asking Him to act in a way that defies all natural laws and human expectations.
* **"And they did [it] the third time."**: The final act of obedience confirms the complete and total saturation of the altar. This repetition of action, mirroring the repetition of command, emphasizes the absolute thoroughness of the preparation. The scene is now meticulously set: the sacrifice is humanly impossible to ignite, creating the perfect stage for Yahweh to display His unique and overwhelming power, leaving no room for doubt among the onlookers.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Kings 18:34 is **Repetition**. The exact phrasing, "Do [it] the second time... and they did [it] the second time... Do [it] the third time... and they did [it] the third time," is repeated to emphasize the thoroughness and deliberateness of Elijah's instructions. This repetition serves several crucial purposes: it builds **Dramatic Tension**, heightening the anticipation for the impending miracle by making the task seem increasingly impossible; it underscores Elijah's unwavering **Faith** and confidence in Yahweh's power, as he intentionally creates the most challenging conditions; and most importantly, it functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration of the water application, to eliminate any doubt that the subsequent fire could be natural or manipulated. This extreme measure ensures that when fire does descend, it will be an undeniable, **Supernatural** act of God, leaving no room for the people to attribute it to anything other than divine intervention. The use of the number three also carries **Symbolic Significance**, often representing divine completeness or emphasis in biblical narratives, further highlighting the definitive nature of God's impending action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 18:34 is a profound theological statement wrapped in dramatic narrative. It is a testament to God's unparalleled power and His unwavering commitment to vindicate His name against all false claims. By demanding an impossible scenario—consuming a water-drenched sacrifice with fire—Elijah forces a confrontation that leaves no room for ambiguity regarding Yahweh's supremacy. This act of faith, making the task humanly impossible, serves to magnify God's glory when He supernaturally intervenes. It underscores the futility of human effort and false worship when confronted with the true, living God. The event on Mount Carmel is a vivid demonstration that God is not limited by human logic or natural circumstances; He acts in ways that declare His unique identity and call His people to exclusive devotion. It speaks to God's sovereignty over creation and His active involvement in human history to reveal His truth.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly and Impotence of Idols")
* [Jeremiah 10:10](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10 - The Lord is the True God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elijah's actions in 1 Kings 18:34 present a powerful challenge to our own faith and trust in God. In a world that often demands tangible evidence and logical explanations, this passage calls us to embrace a faith that transcends human reasoning. Just as Elijah deliberately created an impossible situation to magnify God's power, we are often called to trust God in circumstances that seem insurmountable or illogical from a human perspective. This verse reminds us that God is not limited by our resources, our understanding, or the apparent impossibility of our situations. It encourages us to lay our "sacrifices"—our challenges, our hopes, our very lives—before Him, even when they seem drenched in difficulties, confident that His power is made perfect in weakness. Our role is to be obedient and faithful, even in seemingly absurd commands, and to allow God to display His glory in ways that leave no doubt about His presence and power in our lives and in the world. This narrative compels us to examine where we place our trust and whether we truly believe God can act beyond our limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations in your life are you holding back from God, perhaps trying to solve through human effort rather than radical trust?**
* **How might God be calling you to take a "risk of faith" that seems illogical to the world, but would ultimately magnify His power and glory?**
* **In what ways do you, like Israel, sometimes waver between exclusive devotion to God and the "idols" of modern life (e.g., security, comfort, success, social approval)? How can this story encourage a more exclusive devotion to the one true God?**

### FAQ

**Why did Elijah command such an excessive amount of water, especially during a drought?**

Answer: Elijah's command to drench the altar with twelve jars of water, repeated three times, was a deliberate and strategic move to eliminate any possibility of human trickery or natural explanation for the fire that would consume the sacrifice. In the midst of a severe drought, water was an incredibly precious commodity, making its lavish use a profound act of faith and a dramatic statement. By saturating the wood and the sacrifice to such an extent that even the trench around the altar was filled (as described in [1 Kings 18:35](/1_kings/18-35 "1 Kings 18:35 - The Water Fills the Trench")), Elijah ensured that when fire did descend, it could only be attributed to the supernatural power of Yahweh. This left no doubt in the minds of the wavering Israelites that He alone was the true God, in stark contrast to the impotent Baal. It was a test designed to be humanly impossible, thus magnifying the divine miracle and God's glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic display of God's power on Mount Carmel, culminating in the consumption of the water-drenched sacrifice by divine fire, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ. Just as Elijah's actions removed all doubt about Yahweh's supremacy, so too does Christ's death and resurrection unequivocally declare God's sovereign power over sin and death. The fire that consumed Elijah's sacrifice points to the divine judgment against sin, a judgment that was fully borne by Jesus on the cross, as He became the ultimate propitiation for our sins ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus is the Atoning Sacrifice")). Furthermore, the "impossible" nature of the Mount Carmel miracle—fire consuming water-soaked wood—finds its ultimate parallel in the seemingly impossible victory of Christ over death, a victory that secures eternal life for all who believe ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The vindication of Yahweh on Mount Carmel, leading the people to declare, "The Lord, He is God!" ([1 Kings 18:39](/1_kings/18-39 "1 Kings 18:39 - The People's Confession")), finds its ultimate fulfillment in the universal confession that "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:11](/philippians/2-11 "Philippians 2:11 - Every Tongue Confesses Jesus as Lord")). The Mount Carmel event thus serves as a powerful Old Testament type, pointing to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whose sacrifice is utterly sufficient and eternally effective ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

2 Corinthians 8:21

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.