1 Kings 18:39

KJV

And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when all the people {H5971} saw {H7200} it, they fell {H5307} on their faces {H6440}: and they said {H559}, The LORD {H3068}, he is the God {H430}; the LORD {H3068}, he is the God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "ADONAI is God! ADONAI is God!"

Berean Standard Bible

When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”

American Standard Version

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 18:39 captures the climactic moment on Mount Carmel where, after a dramatic display of divine power, the Israelite people unequivocally declared their allegiance to Yahweh. Witnessing fire descend from heaven to consume Elijah's water-drenched sacrifice, the assembled crowd fell prostrate in awe and fear, repeatedly proclaiming, "The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God," signifying a profound national confession of faith and a decisive turning away from Baal worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah, detailed in [1 Kings 18](/1-kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel"). The narrative builds tension from Elijah's challenge in [1 Kings 18:19-20](/1-kings/18-19 "1 Kings 18:19-20 - Elijah Challenges Baal Prophets"), through the Baal prophets' futile efforts to evoke a response from their deity in [1 Kings 18:26-29](/1-kings/18-26 "1 Kings 18:26-29 - Baal's Silence"), to Elijah's meticulous preparation of the altar and the drenching of the sacrifice with water in [1 Kings 18:30-35](/1-kings/18-30 "1 Kings 18:30-35 - Elijah Prepares the Altar"). The immediate descent of fire in [1 Kings 18:38](/1-kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - Fire from Heaven") is the divine answer, making the people's confession in verse 39 the logical and powerful response to undeniable proof of Yahweh's supremacy. This moment sets the stage for Elijah's subsequent actions against the prophets of Baal and the end of the drought.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Kings 18 occur during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, a period marked by intense syncretism and the aggressive promotion of Baal worship in Israel. Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, had imported and institutionalized the worship of Baal and Asherah, leading many Israelites to abandon the covenant with Yahweh. Baal was widely believed to be the god of storms, rain, and fertility, making the drought a direct challenge to his perceived power. The contest on Mount Carmel, a high place often associated with pagan worship, was therefore a direct theological and political confrontation. Yahweh's dramatic intervention by fire, a phenomenon associated with Baal, utterly discredited the false deity and reasserted Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over nature and the nation.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **Divine Vindication and Supremacy of Yahweh**. The miraculous fire unequivocally demonstrates that Yahweh is the one true God, exposing the impotence of Baal and other idols. This event is a powerful revelation of God's active presence and power, directly challenging the prevailing idolatry in Israel. Another crucial theme is **Repentance and Confession of Faith**. The people's immediate and emphatic declaration, "The LORD, he is the God," signifies a moment of national turning back to their covenant God, acknowledging their apostasy and reaffirming monotheism. This public confession is a pivotal step towards spiritual renewal. Furthermore, the narrative highlights **Prophetic Authority and God's Faithfulness**. Elijah, as Yahweh's faithful prophet, stands alone against the forces of idolatry, and God validates his prophetic word through a mighty sign, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they have strayed, as seen in His repeated calls for Israel to [choose whom they will serve](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh_):** This is God's personal, covenant name, revealed to Moses (e.g., [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")). Its use here is highly significant, emphasizing that it is the specific, unique God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who has demonstrated His power, not some generic deity. The people's use of _Yahweh_ signifies a return to the foundational truth of Israel's identity and calling.
* **God (Hebrew, _Elohim_):** While _Elohim_ is a generic term for deity, its usage in the phrase "he is _the_ God" (with the definite article) is crucial. It asserts Yahweh's exclusive claim to deity, not merely as _a_ god among many, but as _the_ supreme, ultimate, and only true God. This declaration directly refutes the polytheistic and syncretistic practices prevalent in Israel at the time.
* **fell on their faces (Hebrew, _vayyiplu al-pəneyhem_):** This posture is a common biblical expression of profound reverence, awe, fear, submission, and worship in the presence of divine power or majesty. It indicates a complete prostration, signifying humility and recognition of God's overwhelming authority. In this context, it also carries the nuance of repentance and surrender after witnessing an undeniable miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when all the people saw [it]":** This clause emphasizes the public and undeniable nature of the miracle. The fire consumed not only the sacrifice but also the wood, stones, and water, leaving no room for doubt or alternative explanations. The visual evidence was overwhelming and universally witnessed, leading to an immediate and collective response.
* **"they fell on their faces":** This action is a spontaneous, visceral reaction to the awe-inspiring manifestation of God's power. It signifies a profound shift from their previous wavering or idolatrous stance to one of submission and worship. It is a physical expression of spiritual surrender and acknowledgment of Yahweh's divine authority and terrifying holiness.
* **"and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.":** The double declaration is a powerful, emphatic, and unequivocal confession. The repetition underscores the certainty and finality of their realization. It is a public, corporate affirmation of monotheism, a direct repudiation of Baal worship, and a re-commitment to Yahweh as the one and only true God of Israel. This declaration marks the turning point of the narrative, where the nation, at least momentarily, returns to its covenantal roots.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the phrase "The LORD, he is the God" being stated twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the profound certainty and unanimity of the people's confession. It is not a hesitant or questioning statement, but an emphatic, undeniable declaration of truth. This repetition also creates a sense of **Climax**, as the entire narrative of the contest builds to this decisive moment of recognition and worship. The people's physical act of "falling on their faces" is a vivid **Image** that conveys their overwhelming awe, fear, and submission, providing a powerful visual representation of their spiritual transformation. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play; the very people who had been "limping between two opinions" ([1 Kings 18:21](/1-kings/18-21 "1 Kings 18:21 - How Long Will You Waver?")) now declare with absolute conviction the truth they had previously resisted, highlighting the transformative power of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The confession in 1 Kings 18:39 is a pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual history, representing a decisive turning point from widespread idolatry back to the exclusive worship of Yahweh. It underscores the fundamental theological truth that there is only one true God, and He is the God of Israel. This event serves as a powerful reminder that God actively intervenes in human history to reveal His nature and to call His people back to Himself. The people's response demonstrates that true repentance involves not only a recognition of sin but also an unequivocal declaration of allegiance to God alone, rejecting all competing loyalties. This dramatic display of divine power and the subsequent confession of faith foreshadow the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all opposing forces and false deities.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Isaiah 45:5](/isaiah/45-5 "Isaiah 45:5 - God's Uniqueness")
* [Psalm 115:3-8](/psalm/115-3-8 "Psalm 115:3-8 - Idols are Lifeless")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene on Mount Carmel, culminating in the people's resounding confession, offers profound insights for believers today. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, distractions, and subtle forms of idolatry—whether it be the pursuit of wealth, status, pleasure, or self-reliance—this verse calls us to an unwavering, exclusive devotion to the one true God. Just as the Israelites were confronted with undeniable proof of Yahweh's supremacy, we are continually presented with God's self-revelation through His Word, His creation, and His work in our lives. Our appropriate response, like theirs, is not merely intellectual assent but a wholehearted, public, and decisive declaration: "The LORD, He is the God." This requires us to examine our allegiances, dismantle any "altars" we have built to modern idols, and align every area of our lives with His will, living out our faith boldly and unreservedly in a world that desperately needs to see the power and truth of the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" or allegiances compete for my ultimate devotion today, subtly or overtly, and how might I dismantle their influence in my life?**
* **How does God reveal Himself in my life currently, and am I responding with the same awe, submission, and unequivocal declaration as the people on Mount Carmel?**
* **In what areas of my life—personal, professional, relational—do I need to make a clear, public, and decisive declaration of "The LORD, He is the God"?**

### FAQ
**Why is the repetition "The LORD, he is the God" so important?**

Answer: The repetition serves several crucial purposes. First, it emphasizes the certainty and unanimity of the people's realization. After witnessing such an undeniable miracle, there was no longer any doubt. Second, it signifies a profound and public turning point from syncretism (worshipping Yahweh alongside Baal) to exclusive monotheism. This declaration is a direct repudiation of Baal and an affirmation of Yahweh's sole deity, echoing the foundational truth of Israel's faith, as articulated in the Shema: [Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")! It's not just a statement of fact, but a corporate confession of allegiance and a re-establishment of the covenant relationship.

**What was the significance of "falling on their faces"?**

Answer: "Falling on their faces" is a common biblical posture signifying profound reverence, awe, humility, and submission in the presence of divine power or majesty. It indicates a complete prostration, acknowledging God's overwhelming authority and holiness. In this context, it also carries the nuance of repentance and surrender. The people's immediate and collective act of falling down demonstrates that the miracle was not merely a spectacle but a transformative encounter that brought them to their knees in worship and recognition of Yahweh as the true and living God, distinct from the powerless idols they had been serving, as described in [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - Idols Have No Power").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic revelation of God's power on Mount Carmel, leading to the people's confession, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While the fire on Carmel was a powerful, external demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy, Christ is the very embodiment and ultimate self-revelation of God. He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"), through whom God has fully and finally spoken to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). The call on Mount Carmel for Israel to acknowledge "The LORD, he is the God" is echoed in the New Testament's universal call to confess Jesus as Lord. Just as the people fell on their faces before the manifest glory of Yahweh, so too will [every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord"), to the glory of God the Father. The Mount Carmel event was a temporary turning point for Israel, but in Christ, humanity finds eternal salvation and the definitive answer to the question of who is truly God, as Thomas declared to the resurrected Jesus, "[My Lord and my God!](/john/20-28 "John 20:28 - Thomas's Confession")"

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

1 Kings 18:24

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

2 Chronicles 7:3

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

1 Kings 18:21

¶ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Chronicles 21:16

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders [of Israel, who were] clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

Acts 2:37

¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 4:16

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it].

John 5:35

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.