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1 Kings 18:31

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And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

And Elijah {H452} took {H3947} twelve {H8147}{H6240} stones {H68}, according to the number {H4557} of the tribes {H7626} of the sons {H1121} of Jacob {H3290}, unto whom the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came, saying {H559}, Israel {H3478} shall be thy name {H8034}:

Eliyahu took twelve stones, in keeping with the number of tribes of the sons of Ya'akov, to whom the word of ADONAI had come, saying, "Your name is to be Isra'el."

And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel shall be thy name.

Commentary

1 Kings 18:31 describes a pivotal moment during the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. As Elijah prepares his altar for the Lord, his actions are deeply symbolic and rich with theological significance.

Context

This verse is set amidst one of the most intense theological showdowns in the Old Testament. Following a severe drought (see 1 Kings 17:1), Elijah challenges King Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal, alongside 400 prophets of Asherah, to a contest to determine who is the true God (1 Kings 18:19-20). The people of Israel were wavering between worshipping the Lord and Baal. Elijah's preparation of the altar, specifically using twelve stones, is a deliberate act designed to evoke powerful memories and truths for the nation, even as the northern kingdom of Israel was separate from Judah.

Key Themes

  • The Unity of Israel: By taking "twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob," Elijah powerfully asserts the underlying unity of God's people, despite the political division between the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). It was a symbolic call for the entire nation to return to the Lord as one people.
  • Covenant Remembrance: The reference to "Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name" serves as a potent reminder of God's enduring covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Elijah is implicitly reminding the people of their foundational identity and their relationship with the God who made promises to their patriarchs, specifically recalling the moment Jacob's name was changed to Israel in Genesis 32:28. This act underscores God's faithfulness even when His people are unfaithful.
  • Divine Authority and Restoration: Elijah's actions demonstrate that he is operating under the direct authority of the Lord. The carefully chosen twelve stones signify a desire for spiritual restoration and a return to the true worship of the God of Israel, anticipating the spectacular demonstration of God's power that would follow.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Israel shall be thy name" directly quotes Genesis 32:28. The name Israel (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) means "he struggles with God" or "God strives." This name was given to Jacob after he wrestled with God, signifying a new identity and a new relationship with the divine. By invoking this name, Elijah not only recalls the nation's origin but also highlights their current spiritual struggle and the need for them to strive with and return to their covenant God.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God always remembers His covenant and His people, even when they have strayed far from Him. Like Elijah, we are called to remember our spiritual heritage and the foundational truths of our faith. It also speaks to the importance of unity among believers, urging us to look beyond divisions and embrace our common identity in Christ, the spiritual Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). God's faithfulness endures, and He desires for His people to turn back to Him fully and completely.

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

  • 2 Kings 17:34 (7 votes)

    Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

  • Genesis 32:28 (5 votes)

    And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

  • Genesis 35:10 (5 votes)

    And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

  • Joshua 4:3 (4 votes)

    And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

  • Joshua 4:4 (4 votes)

    Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

  • Joshua 4:20 (4 votes)

    ¶ And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

  • Ezra 6:17 (2 votes)

    And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.