1 Kings 18 31

1 Kings 18:31 kjv

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:

1 Kings 18:31 nkjv

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name."

1 Kings 18:31 niv

Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel."

1 Kings 18:31 esv

Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name,"

1 Kings 18:31 nlt

He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel,

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 31 Meaning

Elijah, acting under divine authority, instructed the assembled people to draw close to him. Upon their immediate obedience, he began the symbolic and literal act of restoring the altar dedicated to the LORD, which had previously fallen into disrepair or been deliberately demolished. This act served as a foundational step for the impending display of God's power, signifying the re-establishment of true worship and covenant relationship with Yahweh in Israel.

1 Kings 18 31 Context

First Kings chapter 18 details the climatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel. This dramatic event unfolds during a severe three-year drought, sent by God as judgment upon Israel for King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's pervasive promotion of Baal worship. Prior to verse 31, Elijah has challenged the people to choose between the LORD and Baal (v. 21) and has mocked the failed attempts of Baal's prophets to call down fire (vv. 26-29). The scene is set with Elijah's profound dedication to re-establishing the true worship of Yahweh amidst rampant idolatry. His actions in verse 31—calling the people close and repairing the altar—are preparatory steps before he offers his own sacrifice, highlighting his intention to restore the proper order of worship before God demonstrates His power. The "broken down" state of the altar symbolizes the dilapidated spiritual condition of Israel's relationship with Yahweh due to syncretism and apostasy.

1 Kings 18 31 Word analysis

• And (וַ): A conjunction indicating continuation or sequence.
• Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu): Meaning "My God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God." His name itself is a polemic against Baal worship, declaring the sovereignty of the true God. He acts as God's representative and instrument of His will.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer): A common verb, but here denotes a decisive command from Elijah, signaling his authority.
• to all the people (אֶל־כָּל־הָעָם, el kol-ha'am): Emphasizes that this act was public and intended for the entire community of Israel to witness. It underlines the collective spiritual state of the nation and their need for a corporate reawakening.
• 'Come near to me.' (גְּשׁוּ אֵלַי, gishu elai): An imperative verb. It is an invitation, but also a command, demanding attention and proximity. This "drawing near" (N.B. related to nagash, often used for drawing near to God or sacred things) implies a call to intimacy, observation, and participation in the redemptive act about to unfold, mirroring the act of priests drawing near to perform sacred service.
• And (וַ): Connects Elijah's command to the people's response.
• all the people (כָּל־הָעָם, kol-ha'am): Reiterates their collective presence and attention.
• came near to him. (וַיִּגְּשׁוּ אֵלָיו, vayyiggshu elav): Signifies the people's compliance and their willingness to observe what Elijah would do, suggesting a nascent turning of their hearts from their former vacillation.
• And (וַ): Connects the people's response to Elijah's action.
• he repaired (וַיְרַפֵּא, vayerape') or restored. The Hebrew verb רָפָא (rapha') primarily means "to heal" or "to mend." Here, it signifies more than just physical reconstruction; it carries a potent spiritual meaning of healing or restoring that which was broken—the true worship of Yahweh in Israel.
• the altar of the LORD (אֶת־מִזְבַּח יְהוָה, et-mizbe'ach YHWH): This specifies the legitimate altar for Yahweh, directly opposing the numerous altars built for Baal and other foreign deities. The altar is a place of sacrifice, covenant, and divine-human encounter, making its restoration crucial. "The LORD" (יהוה, YHWH) denotes the covenant God of Israel.
• that was broken down. (הֶהָרוּס, heharus): From the verb הָרַס (haras), meaning "to tear down," "demolish," "destroy." This description highlights the severe neglect or intentional destruction of Yahweh worship by the apostate kings or idolaters. It underscores the profound state of spiritual disrepair in Israel, which Elijah's actions aim to reverse.

• "Elijah said to all the people, 'Come near to me.'": This phrase marks Elijah taking control of the scene, drawing the audience from mere observers to active participants or close witnesses, preparing them for a transformative experience of divine power and truth.
• "And all the people came near to him.": This immediate response from the people signals a shift in their engagement; from being passively present at the contest, they now show a willingness to be attentive to Elijah's actions and message, indicative of their emerging conviction.
• "And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.": This central action symbolizes the prophetic task of Elijah to restore the rightful worship of Yahweh in Israel. It is an act of spiritual healing for a nation that has strayed and whose covenant relationship with God has been damaged, demonstrating commitment to Yahweh despite the widespread idolatry promoted by the monarchy. The rebuilding signifies renewal, order, and the re-establishment of the broken covenant.

1 Kings 18 31 Bonus section

The act of repairing the altar demonstrates Elijah's careful adherence to established divine ordinances concerning worship. Although on a "high place" rather than Jerusalem, it was Yahweh's altar being rebuilt. The subsequent mention (in 1 Kings 18:32) of using twelve stones for the altar underscores the significance of this act as a call to unity for all twelve tribes of Israel, transcending the divided kingdom and emphasizing a restoration of covenant unity under Yahweh. Elijah's focus on an altar "broken down" not only shows past neglect or intentional destruction by adversaries of YHWH but also implicitly accuses those who allowed its desecration. His restorative act is thus a counter-cultural and counter-idolatrous statement, paving the way for God's clear demonstration of supremacy over Baal.

1 Kings 18 31 Commentary

This verse serves as a crucial transition point in the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel. Elijah's directive for "all the people" to "come near" signals his intention for them to be intimate witnesses to God's impending display, not merely spectators. This act of drawing near carries profound spiritual resonance, inviting the nation to physically and spiritually approach God's anointed one, preparing them to "draw near" to the Lord himself. The subsequent action of "repairing the altar of the LORD that was broken down" is deeply symbolic. The dilapidated state of Yahweh's altar reflected the desolate spiritual condition of Israel under Ahab's reign, where true worship had been neglected or actively suppressed. Elijah's restoration is therefore more than a physical act; it is a prophetic statement—a symbolic healing and rebuilding of Israel's covenant relationship with God. It underscores the purity of legitimate worship as prescribed by the LORD, contrasting sharply with the syncretic and idolatrous practices prevalent in the land. This act, before any divine fire descends, already initiates a process of spiritual repair and challenges Israel to return to its covenantal roots.