1 Kings 18 11

1 Kings 18:11 kjv

And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

1 Kings 18:11 nkjv

And now you say, 'Go, tell your master, "Elijah is here" '!

1 Kings 18:11 niv

But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.'

1 Kings 18:11 esv

And now you say, 'Go, tell your lord, "Behold, Elijah is here."'

1 Kings 18:11 nlt

And now you say, 'Go and tell your master, "Elijah is here."'

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 11 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Obadiah's acute fear and apprehension as Elijah gives him the immediate and dangerous command to inform King Ahab of Elijah's presence. Obadiah, a loyal servant to Ahab who feared the Lord, had just expressed his deep concern that the Spirit of the Lord would carry Elijah away once he departed, leaving him to face Ahab's wrath for a false report. The verse therefore highlights the perilous nature of this divine directive and Obadiah's moral dilemma between obedience to a prophet of God and fear of a ruthless king.

1 Kings 18 11 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture after years of severe drought and famine in Israel, brought about by God as judgment for Ahab's promotion of Baal worship. Elijah, having been hidden by God for over three years, is commanded to present himself to Ahab. Meanwhile, Ahab and Obadiah are desperately searching the land for water and fodder to save their horses and mules. They split up for this search, and it is in this desperate context that Elijah unexpectedly encounters Obadiah. Obadiah, despite being in Ahab's corrupt court, is a God-fearing man who protected and fed one hundred prophets during Jezebel's purge (1 Kgs 18:4, 13). When Elijah commands Obadiah to go tell Ahab of his presence, Obadiah's intense fear and protestations in verses 9-10 and 12-14 arise from the very real danger posed by Ahab, who has diligently searched for Elijah everywhere and would undoubtedly execute Obadiah if Elijah were to vanish after the report. Verse 11 is Elijah's unwavering and direct instruction, cutting through Obadiah's reasonable human fears and setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Yahweh's prophet and the king on Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18 11 Word analysis

• "And now" (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): This phrase indicates a sharp shift or climax in the discourse. It follows Obadiah's detailed plea and argument regarding his fear of Ahab. It sets the present moment as a crucial point of decision and urgency for Obadiah. It implies a direct, non-negotiable command from Elijah in response to Obadiah's human reasoning.
• "thou sayest" (תֹּאמֵר, tō'mēR): This verb is from the root אָמַר ('āmar), meaning "to say, speak, command." In this context, it highlights Elijah's direct and authoritative command to Obadiah. It underscores that Obadiah is not making a suggestion, but rather receiving a specific order.
• "Go," (לֵךְ, lekh): An imperative verb, strong and direct, emphasizing the immediate action required. It conveys Elijah's resolve and the divine mandate behind his instructions.
• "tell" (אֱמֹר, emor): Also an imperative verb, emphasizing the specific communication required. Together with "Go," it forms a compelling command to undertake a dangerous task.
• "thy lord," (לַאֲדֹנֶיךָ, la'adonaykh): Refers to King Ahab. The term "lord" here acknowledges Ahab's earthly authority over Obadiah as his servant. It highlights the vast power imbalance between the king and his fearful steward, making Obadiah's potential obedience even more significant.
• "Behold," (הִנֵּה, hinnēh): An interjection that draws immediate attention. It signifies a dramatic, surprising, or highly significant declaration. In this context, it signals the revelation of Elijah's presence, an event Ahab had desperately sought and feared.
• "Elijah is here." (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyyahu - the name; הִנֵּה hinnēh implied presence in Hebrew): The declarative statement of presence is direct and without ambiguity. The name "Elijah" itself means "My God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God," carrying profound theological weight against the backdrop of Baal worship in Israel. The simple assertion "Elijah is here" directly challenges the false god Baal and highlights the imminent confrontation between Yahweh and Baal on Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18 11 Bonus section

This interaction serves as a mini-drama illustrating the "fear of man" versus "fear of God" dynamic. Obadiah's sincere terror of Ahab's retribution for a perceived deception underscores the life-and-death stakes of prophecy during this period. Elijah's unyielding demand reflects his complete trust in Yahweh's sovereignty and protection, contrasting sharply with Obadiah's humanly reasonable but faith-lacking trepidation. The brevity of Elijah's response, dismissing Obadiah's lengthy concerns (1 Kgs 18:9-12), conveys the prophet's conviction that divine commands supersede all earthly dangers or human rationale.

1 Kings 18 11 Commentary

This verse, short but powerful, pivots the narrative of 1 Kings 18. It is Elijah's steadfast command, born of divine conviction, overriding Obadiah's profound and justifiable human fear. The command for Obadiah to announce Elijah's presence directly challenges Ahab's power and sovereignty, emphasizing that Yahweh's prophet, after years of hiddenness, reappears at God's appointed time and place, not at the whim of the king. It forces Obadiah into a position where he must choose whom to obey: the powerful but ultimately fallible human king or the man of God delivering a dangerous yet divine directive. The dramatic tension underscores the imminent showdown on Mount Carmel, signaling God's ultimate victory over the forces of Baal. It serves as a stark example of a prophet's unwavering obedience to God, contrasting with a fearful but righteous servant, both used by God to bring about His purposes.