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1 Kings 18:29

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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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

1 Kings 18:29 captures the climactic moment of failure for the prophets of Baal during their epic contest with Elijah on Mount Carmel. This verse marks the end of their long, desperate attempts to invoke their god, setting the stage for Yahweh's dramatic display of power.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of a severe drought in Israel, a judgment from God due to widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah, as God's prophet, challenged the 450 prophets of Baal (and 400 prophets of Asherah, though not present for this part) to a showdown on Mount Carmel to determine who the true God was. The test was simple: whichever deity sent fire to consume a sacrifice would be acknowledged as God.

The prophets of Baal began their rituals early in the morning, calling on Baal, dancing, and even cutting themselves, believing such acts would provoke their god to respond (1 Kings 18:28). Verse 29 highlights that their efforts continued "when midday was past" and extended "until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice." The "evening sacrifice" was a significant moment in Israelite daily worship, typically around 3 PM, symbolizing the end of the day's sacrificial rituals and a time for prayer (Daniel 9:21).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Futility of Idolatry: The most striking message is the utter powerlessness of false gods. Despite hours of fervent, even frenzied, cries and self-mutilation, Baal remained silent. "Neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" powerfully underscores the emptiness of worshipping man-made deities (Psalm 115:4-7).
  • Divine Silence vs. Divine Response: The silence of Baal stands in stark contrast to the immediate and overwhelming response of Yahweh when Elijah calls upon Him (1 Kings 18:38). This highlights the active, living nature of the true God versus the deadness of idols.
  • The Limits of Human Effort: No amount of human ritual, passion, or self-inflicted pain can force a response from a non-existent or false deity. True divine intervention comes from God's sovereign will, not human manipulation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "they prophesied" for the prophets of Baal (Hebrew: vayitnabbe'u) can also carry the nuance of 'raving' or 'acting like a prophet in a frenzy.' Given their extreme behavior described in the preceding verses, this suggests a wild, ecstatic, and ultimately unproductive display rather than genuine divine inspiration. The repeated phrase "neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" emphasizes the absolute lack of any sign of life or attention from Baal.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder about where we place our trust and devotion. In a world with many competing ideologies, pursuits, and false promises, it challenges us to consider:

  • What are we "prophesying" to? Are we investing our time, energy, and hope in things that ultimately cannot deliver, leaving us with "neither voice, nor any to answer"?
  • The Importance of Discerning True Power: Not all spiritual or philosophical claims hold truth. The Christian faith rests on the living God who answers, acts, and reveals Himself (Jeremiah 33:3).
  • Patience in Waiting for God's Timing: Elijah waited for the "evening sacrifice," a specific and significant time, before he called on God. This suggests that while God is always ready to hear, there is wisdom in discerning His appointed times and ways.

Ultimately, 1 Kings 18:29 powerfully illustrates the futility of false worship and the profound difference between a silent idol and the living God who hears and responds.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Galatians 4:8 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 22:12 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Corinthians 11:5 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.