1 Kings 18 24

1 Kings 18:24 kjv

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.

1 Kings 18:24 nkjv

Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken."

1 Kings 18:24 niv

Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire?he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good."

1 Kings 18:24 esv

And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God." And all the people answered, "It is well spoken."

1 Kings 18:24 nlt

Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!" And all the people agreed.

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 24 Meaning

This verse delineates the precise terms of the divine contest proposed by Elijah to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. It outlines a singular, verifiable test: both sides would call upon their respective deities, and the one who responded by consuming the sacrifice with fire would undeniably be declared the true God. The people's immediate and unanimous affirmation, "It is well spoken!", signified their acceptance of these clear and equitable terms, establishing the fairness and authority of the challenge before the decisive display of divine power.

1 Kings 18 24 Context

The challenge on Mount Carmel, presented in 1 Kings chapter 18, is the climatic confrontation orchestrated by Elijah. For three and a half years, Israel had suffered a severe drought, a divine judgment against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's zealous promotion of Baal worship (1 Ki 17:1). Baal was worshipped as the god of storms, rain, and fertility, and the prolonged drought directly undermined his purported power.

Elijah, representing the Lord, challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (who typically acted as temple prostitutes for Baal worship), demanding a definitive demonstration of which deity truly held power. This public contest was designed to re-establish the Lord's exclusive claim to deity in Israel after decades of syncretism and idolatry. Verse 24 sets the non-negotiable terms for this high-stakes theological and spiritual showdown, laying the groundwork for a visible, undeniable display of God's sovereignty over creation, challenging the very foundation of Baal worship and calling Israel back to covenant fidelity.

1 Kings 18 24 Word Analysis

• Then you call (קְרָאתֶם - qera'tem): Implies a sequential action after their preparation of the altar. It's a direct command to the prophets, signaling the commencement of their efforts. This is a public act of invocation, intended to provoke a visible response.
• on the name (בְּשֵׁם - b'shem): More than just calling to a deity; it's invoking the very character, authority, presence, and power encapsulated within that deity's name. It means to rely on, honor, and appeal to everything that the named one stands for.
• of your god (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - 'elōhêkhem): While literally plural ("your gods"), it commonly functions here as "your god" or "your deity" in reference to Baal, given the prominence of Baal worship. This usage emphasizes the polytheistic nature of Canaanite religion in contrast to the monotheism of the Lord, making a polemical distinction between the false pantheon and the One True God.
• and I will call (וַאֲנִי אֶקְרָא - va'ani 'eqra): The emphatic "I" (אֲנִי - 'ani) highlights Elijah's solitary confidence against the numerous prophets. It underlines the stark contrast: a single prophet of the Lord versus a multitude of Baal's prophets, demonstrating the immense power imbalance and God's sufficiency through one obedient servant.
• on the name of the Lord (בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה - b'shem YHVH): "The Lord" refers to YHVH (Yahweh), the personal, covenant name of God revealed to Israel. This invokes His unique identity, His covenant relationship, His historical acts, and His absolute sovereignty, directly counteracting the idolatrous worship of Baal.
• And the God (וְהָאֱלֹהִים - v'ha'elohim): The definite article "the" underscores that only one can truly be "God" (הָאֱלֹהִים - ha'elohim, referring to the singular, true divine being). This phrase sets up the critical criterion for distinguishing between a living God and a lifeless idol.
• who answers (אֲשֶׁר יַעֲנֶה - 'asher ya'aneh): From the root ענה ('anah), meaning to respond, reply, or even testify. This highlights that true divinity involves active engagement and communication with those who call upon it, unlike idols which are deaf and mute.
• by fire (בָאֵשׁ - ba'esh): A highly visible, dramatic, and undeniable form of divine intervention. It specifically challenges Baal's domain (lightning was often seen as Baal's weapon) and yet belongs inherently to the Lord, often signifying His presence, judgment, and acceptance of sacrifice.
• He is God (הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים - hu ha'elohim): A conclusive declaration. "He" (הוּא - hu) emphatically points to the one who performs the act. This simple, powerful statement asserts exclusive deity, emphasizing that only the one who answers by fire possesses genuine divine nature and authority. This is the central theological assertion of the contest.
• And all the people answered and said (וַיַּעֲנוּ כָל-הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayya'anu khol-ha'am vayyomeru): Indicates a unanimous public agreement and endorsement from the onlookers, validating the terms of the challenge. Their voice acts as both a jury and witnesses to the ensuing events.
• It is well spoken! (טוֹב הַדָּבָר - tov ha'davar): Literally "The word is good" or "Good is the thing/matter." This signifies strong approval, acknowledging the fairness, clarity, and decisive nature of the proposed test. It shows their receptiveness to an undeniable demonstration of truth.

1 Kings 18 24 Bonus section

• The challenge by fire was especially provocative because Baal was believed to control lightning, yet he would be utterly unable to manifest this power. The Lord, however, is a "consuming fire" (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29), highlighting His absolute control over the very element Baal purportedly commanded.
• This verse introduces the "fire test," a direct challenge to the idol's supposed power of intervention, illustrating that idols "cannot speak" nor "give answer" (Psa 115:5; Jer 10:5).
• Elijah, by asserting the singular nature of God ("He is God"), forces the issue of exclusive worship upon Israel, who had long practiced a dangerous syncretism. This divine confrontation demanded a clear decision from a vacillating people.
• The phrase "calling on the name" emphasizes reliance and spiritual dependence. The failure of Baal's prophets to invoke their deity successfully, leading to no response, demonstrates Baal's utter non-existence as a responsive, powerful deity, setting a clear boundary between truth and falsehood.

1 Kings 18 24 Commentary

1 Kings 18:24 encapsulates the pivotal confrontation between the Lord and Baal, defining the terms of a stark, existential test of deity. Elijah’s genius, inspired by divine wisdom, lies in proposing a simple, empirically verifiable criterion: the God who responds with fire. This test cuts through religious complexity and societal compromise, demanding an objective demonstration of power that no human artifice or idol can replicate. The choice of "fire" is deeply symbolic, countering Baal’s claim as the god of storms and lightning, yet simultaneously affirming the Lord’s sovereignty over the elements. This also evokes earlier biblical instances where divine fire authenticated the Lord's presence or accepted sacrifices, linking this modern challenge to ancient truths (e.g., Lev 9:24; Judg 6:21). The people's immediate and unequivocal "It is well spoken!" reflects their recognition of the logical, just, and decisive nature of Elijah’s proposal, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of God's unmatched glory and exposing the futility of idolatry. This verse not only articulates a fair contest but sets the stage for God's overwhelming victory over false worship.