Bible Commentaries

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

third year: i.e. the third or last full year toward the end of the three and a half years.

famine. One of the thirteen famines mentioned in Scripture. See note on Genesis 12:10.

governor of = governor over. Now. Figure of speech Parenthesis. App-6.

Jezebel. The first record of using the civil power against the true religion (and by a woman). See note on Judges 4:21.

fifty in a cave = fifty men.

Go into = Septuagint and Syriac read "Go and let us pass through".

What. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

wouldest deliver = art giving.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

men. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

before, &c. See note on 1 Kings 17:1.

troubleth. Compare Joshua 7:25 with Joshua 6:18, and 1 Chronicles 2:7,

Israel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for Israelitish people.

Carmel. Eighteen miles from Jezreel; sixteen miles from the sea. The Kishon below, but now dry. At the foot a perennial spring, with a roofed reservoir, eight feet deep. Carmel is still called "Mar-Elias".

groves = the" Asherah. See note on Exodus 34:13.

children = sons.

How long. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

halt = leap. Compare 1 Kings 18:26.

the People. Some codices read "all the people".

gods = god, as in 1 Kings 18:25. So Revised Version.

by fire. This was Jehovah's way of showing His acceptance of the offering. See note on Genesis 4:4.

leaped upon = leaped over. Compare 1 Kings 18:21.

was made = had been made.

Cry aloud, &c. Figure of speech Eironeia. App-6.

pursuing. Occurs only here.

lancets = lances. Done by Dervishes to the present day.

evening sacrifice. The usual meal offering. There was also a morning meal offering as well (Numbers 28:8). Compare 2 Kings 16:15.

repaired. Carmel had been a local altar for lay (individual) offerings, but had been broken down. Compare 1 Kings 19:10. These lay altars had no horns.

broken down: i.e. purposely.

Jacob. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "Israel", in harmony with 1 Kings 18:36.

Israel. See note on Genesis 32:28.

water. See note on 1 Kings 18:19.

the wood. Septuagint adds "and they did so".

Israel, not Jacob. See note on Genesis 32:28.

Then the fire of the LORD fell. Aram, and Septuagint read "Then fire from Jehovah fell". See note on Genesis 4:4. "Fire of Jehovah" occurs only here and Numbers 11:1, Numbers 11:3.

burnt sacrifice. See App-43.

Take = seize, lay hold of.

one = a man. Hebrew. "Ish. App-14.

Kishon. Compare Judges 4:13; Judges 5:21.

slew. Hebrew idiom, caused them to be slain.

cast himself down. A rare word. Only here and 2 Kings 4:34, 2 Kings 4:35. = Kneeling, and then placing forehead on the ground.

servant = young man.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for power put forth.

girded. Girdles worn by all. Taken off when resting. Put on when preparing for work or journeying. See Exodus 12:11. 2 Kings 4:29; 2 Kings 9:1. Luke 12:37; Luke 17:8. Acts 12:8.

ran. For over twenty miles Elijah acted as the royal "runner" across the great plain of Esdraelon. Possibly none at hand in the king's hasty departure.