1 Kings 18:37

KJV

Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou [art] the LORD God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H6030} me, O LORD {H3068}, hear {H6030} me, that this people {H5971} may know {H3045} that thou art the LORD {H3068} God {H430}, and that thou hast turned {H5437} their heart {H3820} back {H5437} again {H322}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hear me, ADONAI, hear me, so that this people may know that you, ADONAI, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back to you."

Berean Standard Bible

Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.”

American Standard Version

Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah, art God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 18:37 captures the climactic moment of Elijah's fervent prayer on Mount Carmel, a pivotal appeal for divine intervention after the prophets of Baal failed to summon fire. This concise yet powerful petition is not for personal vindication but for the manifest glory of Yahweh and the spiritual restoration of His people, that they might recognize Him as the one true God who alone can turn hearts back from idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal, alongside 400 prophets of Asherah, on Mount Carmel. It immediately follows the extended, fruitless efforts of the Baal prophets to evoke a response from their deity and precedes the instantaneous, overwhelming descent of fire from heaven. The narrative builds tension through Elijah's taunts and preparation of the altar, culminating in this direct, urgent appeal to the LORD. It serves as the spiritual pivot point of the entire chapter, where human futility gives way to divine omnipotence, setting the stage for the decisive revelation of God's power in [1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - Fire from Heaven").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Israel, under the apostate rule of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, had largely abandoned the worship of the LORD for the Canaanite deity Baal, a fertility god believed to control rain and agricultural prosperity. For three and a half years, a severe drought, prophesied by Elijah in [1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah Prophesies Drought"), had gripped the land, serving as a divine judgment and a call to repentance. Mount Carmel, a prominent geographic feature, served as an ideal public arena for this spiritual contest, a place where the supremacy of Yahweh over Baal could be undeniably demonstrated before the entire nation. The cultural syncretism of the time, where Israelites attempted to worship both Yahweh and Baal, made this confrontation critical for clarifying true allegiance.

* **Key Themes:** Elijah's prayer powerfully articulates several core themes of the broader narrative in [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Divided Kingdom") and the Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Revelation and Sovereignty**, as Elijah's primary request is that the people "may know that thou art the LORD God," directly challenging Baal's supposed supremacy and demonstrating God's absolute power over all false deities. Secondly, the phrase "and that thou hast turned their heart back again" highlights God's desire for **Repentance and Restoration**. Elijah prays for a spiritual awakening, a turning away from idolatry and a return to covenant faithfulness, emphasizing God's patient pursuit of His straying flock. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the **Power of Prayer**, showcasing Elijah's bold and specific intercession, offered in complete reliance on God, which immediately precedes one of the most spectacular displays of divine power. This theme is later affirmed in [James 5:16-18](/james/5-16 "James 5:16-18 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear me (Hebrew, _shama'_):** The repetition of this imperative ("Hear me, O LORD, hear me") emphasizes the profound urgency, earnestness, and singular focus of Elijah's plea. It is a direct, insistent call for divine attention and immediate action, reflecting the dire spiritual state of Israel and the critical nature of the moment. It is not merely a request but a desperate cry for God to manifest His presence and power.
* **LORD (Hebrew, יְהוָה, _Yahweh'_):** The capitalized "LORD" in the KJV consistently translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton, YHWH, the personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses. This name signifies God's self-existent, eternal nature ("I AM WHO I AM") and His unique, intimate relationship with Israel as their covenant-keeping God. By invoking "Yahweh," Elijah directly contrasts the true God with the impotent Baal, asserting His singular identity and authority.
* **turned their heart back again (Hebrew, שָׁוַב לֵב, _shuv lev'_):** This phrase carries profound theological weight, signifying repentance and spiritual restoration. The Hebrew verb _shuv_ means "to turn, return, or repent," and _lev_ refers to the "heart" as the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. Thus, "turning their heart back again" implies a complete spiritual reorientation—a turning away from idolatry and a returning to faithful allegiance to Yahweh, acknowledging His sovereignty and embracing His covenant. It underscores that true repentance is ultimately a divine work, enabled by God's grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear me, O LORD, hear me":** This opening phrase is a powerful, repeated supplication, underscoring the prophet's profound earnestness and the critical nature of the moment. It is a direct, personal appeal to Yahweh, emphasizing Elijah's complete reliance on God's intervention rather than any human effort or strategy. The repetition highlights the urgency and the singular focus of his prayer.
* **"that this people may know that thou art the LORD God":** This is the primary purpose clause of Elijah's prayer. The miracle is not for Elijah's vindication, but for the revelation of God's unique identity. "The LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim) emphasizes God's self-existent nature and His absolute sovereignty as the Creator and covenant-keeping God, distinct from and superior to any false deity. The goal is for Israel to recognize Yahweh as the one true, living God.
* **"and that thou hast turned their heart back again":** This second purpose clause reveals the spiritual depth of Elijah's petition. Beyond merely demonstrating power, Elijah prays for a spiritual transformation within the people. "Turned their heart back again" refers to repentance—a complete spiritual reorientation from idolatry to faithful allegiance to Yahweh. This acknowledges that true repentance is not solely a human act but a divine work, initiated and enabled by God's grace.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to amplify its impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the phrase "Hear me, O LORD, hear me" creating an urgent, emphatic plea that underscores Elijah's sincerity and the critical nature of the moment. This repetition also builds dramatic tension, signaling the imminent divine response. **Parallelism** is evident in the two "that" clauses ("that this people may know... and that thou hast turned..."), which articulate the dual purpose of God's intervention: revelation of His identity and restoration of His people. This structural balance highlights the comprehensive nature of God's desired outcome. Furthermore, the verse functions as a moment of profound **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows Baal is a false god and will not answer, contrasting sharply with Elijah's confident prayer to the true God. This sets up the spectacular divine response that immediately follows, making God's power undeniably clear.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 18:37 stands as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history and His relentless pursuit of a covenant relationship with His people. It reveals that God's ultimate desire is not merely to demonstrate His power, but to reveal His unique identity as the sovereign LORD and to draw straying hearts back to Himself. This prayer underscores the prophetic role as one of intercession for the nation's spiritual well-being, prioritizing God's glory and the people's repentance above all else. It teaches that true spiritual awakening is a divine work, where God takes the initiative to "turn their heart back again," even as He calls humanity to respond in faith.

* [Deuteronomy 4:35](/deuteronomy/4-35 "Deuteronomy 4:35 - The LORD is God")
* [Jeremiah 24:7](/jeremiah/24-7 "Jeremiah 24:7 - A Heart to Know God")
* [James 5:16-18](/james/5-16 "James 5:16-18 - The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elijah's prayer on Mount Carmel offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, material pursuits, and self-centered ambitions, we are constantly faced with "idols" that vie for our ultimate allegiance. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the singular truth that there is only one true God, Yahweh, who demands our undivided devotion and is alone worthy of our worship. Our prayers, like Elijah's, should be characterized by boldness, clarity of purpose, and an unwavering focus on God's glory and the spiritual transformation of those around us. We are called to intercede not just for personal needs, but for God's kingdom to come, for His will to be done, and for hearts to be turned back to Him. This verse also offers immense hope, reminding us that God actively desires the repentance of all people and is capable of initiating profound spiritual renewal, even in the most hardened hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" in my life or culture compete for the ultimate allegiance that belongs only to the LORD God?**
* **How can my prayers become more focused on God's glory and the spiritual awakening of others, rather than primarily on my own needs?**
* **In what ways have I experienced God "turning my heart back again," and how can I pray for that same work in the lives of those who are far from Him?**

### FAQ
**Why the repetition "Hear me, O LORD, hear me"?**

Answer: The repetition emphasizes the profound urgency and sincerity of Elijah's prayer. It is not a sign of doubt, but rather a desperate, earnest plea for God's immediate and decisive intervention. In the context of the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, with the entire nation of Israel watching, Elijah's repeated cry highlights the critical nature of the moment and the dire spiritual state that required an undeniable demonstration of God's power to vindicate His name and turn the people's hearts. It underscores the prophet's complete reliance on God alone.

**What does "turned their heart back again" imply about repentance?**

Answer: This phrase implies that true repentance is not merely a human decision but a divine work, initiated and enabled by God. While humans are called to repent, this verse highlights God's sovereign grace in drawing people back to Himself. It suggests that God actively moves upon the hearts of individuals, enabling them to turn away from sin and idolatry and return to a right relationship with Him. This concept is echoed throughout Scripture, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit, as seen in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit"). It assures us that even when hearts are hardened, God possesses the power to transform them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Elijah's prayer in 1 Kings 18:37, a fervent plea for God to reveal Himself and turn hearts, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Elijah, as a prophet, foreshadowed the greater Prophet who would come, the one who truly reveals God to humanity. While Elijah called down fire to demonstrate God's power, Jesus Himself is the ultimate revelation of the "LORD God," for as [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has seen God, but the Son has made Him known") declares, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." Moreover, the prayer for God to "turn their heart back again" is supremely answered in Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides the means for true repentance and spiritual restoration. He is the one who opens the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus opens their minds to understand Scripture")) and through whom God grants repentance leading to life ([Acts 11:18](/acts/11-18 "Acts 11:18 - God grants repentance to the Gentiles")). The dramatic display on Mount Carmel pointed to the even greater, saving work of the Father, revealed perfectly in the Son, who not only reveals God's identity but also empowers the complete turning of hearts from sin to salvation.

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

Daniel 9:17

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

Daniel 9:19

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Luke 1:16

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:17

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: