1 Kings 18 30

1 Kings 18:30 kjv

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

1 Kings 18:30 nkjv

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

1 Kings 18:30 niv

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down.

1 Kings 18:30 esv

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down.

1 Kings 18:30 nlt

Then Elijah called to the people, "Come over here!" They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down.

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 30 Meaning

In 1 Kings 18:30, Elijah's action signals a pivotal moment, shifting the focus from the failed endeavors of the prophets of Baal to Yahweh's impending display of power. His command to "Come near to me" calls the hesitant people to proximity, inviting them to witness a divine encounter. The subsequent act of repairing the broken-down altar of the Lord symbolizes a crucial step toward restoring true worship, re-establishing the covenant relationship between Israel and God, and healing the nation's spiritual apostasy. It prepares the way for God to vindicate His name and demonstrate His sovereignty.

1 Kings 18 30 Context

First Kings chapter 18 details the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel, set against a backdrop of severe drought, symbolizing Israel's spiritual dryness and apostasy under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah, zealous for the Lord, had challenged the people to choose between Yahweh and Baal (1 Kgs 18:21). After the prophets of Baal failed spectacularly in their fervent, but ultimately futile, appeals to their god from morning until afternoon (1 Kgs 18:26-29), Elijah steps forward. The preceding verses highlighted the desperation and emptiness of false worship. This verse (1 Kgs 18:30) marks the turning point, where Elijah re-establishes order and directs the people's attention towards the one true God, setting the stage for Yahweh's decisive demonstration of power. It signifies a shift from the pagan chaos to an act of disciplined, true worship centered on Yahweh.

1 Kings 18 30 Word analysis

• And: Connects this pivotal action to the previous failed attempts by Baal's prophets, highlighting the contrast between the chaos of false worship and the methodical process initiated by Elijah. It signals a new phase in the spiritual contest.
• Elijah: From the Hebrew Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ), meaning "My God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God." His very name embodies the theological truth he is advocating. This truth contrasts starkly with the idolatry prevalent in Israel, making him the ideal prophet for this confrontation.
• said to: Denotes a clear, authoritative instruction. It implies leadership and a prophetic voice that commands attention.
• all the people: Refers to the collective assembly of Israelites present on Mount Carmel. They had been wavering in their commitment to God (1 Kgs 18:21), and Elijah's address is directed at their undecided hearts, urging them to full witness and decision.
• Come near to me: The Hebrew phrase is Qirvu elay (קִרְבוּ אֵלַי). Qirvu is an imperative plural from the verb karav (קָרַב), meaning "to draw near, approach, bring near." It signifies a physical drawing close, but more profoundly, it symbolizes a spiritual drawing near to God, who speaks through His prophet. This invitation is direct, contrasting with the desperate and distanced appeals to Baal. It implies a need for focus, readiness to witness, and openness to divine revelation.
• And all the people came near to him: Demonstrates their immediate obedience and eagerness, reflecting a shift in their attention and willingness to respond. Their curiosity or newfound conviction prompts this physical act of drawing closer, indicating their receptiveness to Elijah's leadership.
• And he repaired: The Hebrew is vayrafé (וַיְרַפֵּא), from the root rafa (רָפָא), which means "to heal, mend, repair, restore." This term carries profound significance. It's not merely patching up; it suggests healing. The physical repair of the altar is a tangible, symbolic act mirroring the need for spiritual healing and restoration of Israel's broken relationship with Yahweh. It highlights an act of deliberate, intentional restoration of proper worship.
• the altar of the Lord: "The Lord" (Yahweh, יְהוָה) is the covenant name of God. This altar was not just any altar, but one dedicated to Yahweh, likely one that existed prior to Ahab's reign or built by a patriarch and fallen into disuse or destroyed during the period of apostasy. It is the proper, legitimate place of worship, contrasting with the numerous altars to Baal and Asherah throughout the land. Its repair represents a call back to exclusive worship of the true God of Israel, acknowledging His covenant.
• that was broken down: Describes the condition of the altar, which implies disuse, neglect, or active destruction. This physical state is a poignant metaphor for the spiritual condition of Israel—their covenant relationship with God was shattered, their worship defiled, and their loyalty compromised by idolatry. Its repair signifies rebuilding their faith foundation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Elijah said to all the people, 'Come near to me'": This phrase emphasizes Elijah's decisive leadership and prophetic authority. His direct call gathers the previously indecisive or chaotic crowd into focused attention. It is an invitation to witness and participate in an act of true worship, setting a clear boundary between the pagan chaos and the order of God.
• "And all the people came near to him": This phrase highlights the people's response to Elijah's command. Their collective movement towards Elijah signifies their readiness to shift allegiance, their longing for clarity amidst confusion, or their compelling desire to witness a divine intervention, having seen Baal's failure. It confirms the people are now attentive and responsive to Yahweh's prophet.
• "And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down": This critical action is symbolic of Elijah's mission to restore proper worship in Israel. Repairing the altar of the Lord specifically points to the restoration of exclusive worship of Yahweh, directly confronting the Baal cult. The broken down state of the altar parallels the spiritual desolation of Israel, whose covenant relationship was fragmented by idolatry. This physical restoration sets the stage for God's powerful spiritual restoration. It is an act of reclaiming the sacred space for its true purpose, preparing for atonement and divine manifestation.

1 Kings 18 30 Bonus section

• The significance of 12 stones: Although not explicitly mentioned in verse 30, the subsequent verse (1 Kgs 18:31) states that Elijah "took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob." This detail amplifies the meaning of repairing "the altar of the Lord." It underscores the fact that this act of restoration was not merely for local worship but for all Israel, representing the complete covenant nation. It was a visual and tangible reminder of their unity under Yahweh, emphasizing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still their God, and they were still His covenant people, despite their fractured spiritual state.
• Preparation before intervention: Elijah’s deliberate and methodical process (repairing the altar, arranging the wood, laying the sacrifice, dousing it with water) before calling upon God highlights the importance of obedience and setting things in order according to God's command. It suggests that while God's power is supreme, human preparation and obedience, particularly in acts of restoration and true worship, often precede and are honored by divine intervention.
• Contrasting approaches: The repair of the altar by Elijah stands in stark contrast to the frantic and fruitless efforts of the Baal prophets who destroyed themselves in a futile attempt to solicit a response from their god. Elijah’s method is grounded in order, reverence, and reliance on God’s presence within a restored framework of true worship.

1 Kings 18 30 Commentary

1 Kings 18:30 represents a pivotal turning point in the Mount Carmel showdown. Elijah, having allowed the prophets of Baal ample opportunity to demonstrate their god's impotence, now takes command. His instruction, "Come near to me," is more than a logistical request; it's a summons for the spiritually estranged people to draw close to the representative of Yahweh, symbolizing a move toward the God they had forsaken. The people's immediate obedience signals a nascent receptiveness to the truth, a desire for genuine spiritual clarity after witnessing the emptiness of Baal worship.

The act of "repairing the altar of the Lord that was broken down" is deeply significant. This wasn't building a new altar, but restoring one that had been neglected or destroyed. This altar represents the rightful place of worship for Yahweh, symbolizing the covenant and the exclusive worship of the one true God. Its dilapidated state reflected the spiritual ruin of Israel under Ahab and Jezebel, where the national religion had been corrupted by idolatry. Elijah's restoration is thus a symbolic and prophetic act, mending not just stones but implicitly the fractured covenant, urging the nation to return to its foundations in Yahweh. It prepared the ground, both literally and spiritually, for God's undeniable demonstration of His power, inviting the people to reclaim their identity as God's chosen nation. The careful and deliberate act of repair underscores the sacredness and necessity of returning to proper, God-ordained worship before expecting His intervention.