1 Kings 18 36

1 Kings 18:36 kjv

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

1 Kings 18:36 nkjv

And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.

1 Kings 18:36 niv

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.

1 Kings 18:36 esv

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.

1 Kings 18:36 nlt

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command.

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 36 Meaning

In 1 Kings 18:36, Elijah the prophet invokes the covenant Lord, Yahweh, before a watching nation at the crucial moment of the evening sacrifice. His prayer is a profound declaration and urgent plea for God to publicly reveal Himself as the one true God in Israel. It seeks to unequivocally demonstrate that Elijah is His authentic servant and that all his actions on Mount Carmel, including challenging Baal, were performed solely by God’s command and not from human initiative or personal power. This prayer encapsulates the central conflict: the sovereignty of Yahweh versus the emptiness of idols, aiming for the restoration of Israel's faith.

1 Kings 18 36 Context

1 Kings 18 describes the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel during a severe drought that gripped Israel, a direct consequence of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s promotion of Baal worship. This climactic showdown was instigated by Elijah to definitively settle the spiritual allegiance of the Israelites. Prior to verse 36, the 450 prophets of Baal had cried out to their god from morning until midday, cutting themselves in futile attempts to invoke fire upon their altar, proving Baal's impotence. Elijah, after ridiculing them, repaired the Lord's broken altar, prepared the sacrifice, and then strategically poured twelve jars of water over it and the trench, making human intervention seem impossible. This particular verse immediately precedes Yahweh's powerful and instantaneous demonstration of sovereignty, sending fire from heaven. Historically, this event took place in a deeply apostate Israel, under the reign of King Ahab, who “did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him.” (1 Kgs 16:30) It was a moment of profound spiritual crisis and decision for the nation, setting Yahweh's true power and identity against the impotent nature of pagan deities and false prophets.

1 Kings 18 36 Word analysis

• At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice:
  • Hebrew: בַּעֲלוֹת (bāʿǎlôṯ) – literally, "at the going up" (of the offering smoke). This refers to the traditional daily burnt offering prescribed in the Mosaic Law (Ex 29:38-42), occurring "at twilight" (around 3 PM). This timing was significant, aligning Elijah's prayer with Israel’s established, though often neglected, covenant worship system. It contrasts the frantic, extended performance of the Baal prophets with the reverent and timely prayer connected to divine ordination.
• Elijah the prophet:
  • Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא (Eliyyahu haNavi) – "My God is Yahweh, the Prophet." Elijah's name itself is a theological statement, meaning "My God is Yahweh," reinforcing the central message of the confrontation. His title "the prophet" identifies him as a messenger commissioned by God, setting him apart from false prophets.
• came forward: Indicates deliberate and public action, positioning himself for a direct address to God and an audience with Israel.
• O Lord:
  • Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH) – The covenant name of God, God's personal, revealed name, often translated "LORD" in English Bibles (in all caps) to distinguish it from Adonai. Elijah invokes God’s faithful covenant character, the One who is truly sovereign and active. This directly opposes Baal, whose name means "lord" but signifies an idol with no true power.
• God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: This formula connects Yahweh to the foundational covenant promises made to Israel's patriarchs (Gen 12, 26, 28). It emphasizes His unchanging nature, faithfulness, and historical continuity with Israel’s sacred heritage. It also underscores His unique relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from any pagan deity. This phrase often signifies the living God, capable of resurrecting the dead.
• let it be known this day:
  • Hebrew: יִוָּדַע הַיּוֹם (yivada' hayyom) – "let it be known today/this day." This is an urgent plea for an immediate, undeniable, and public demonstration of God's power and identity. The emphasis on "this day" signifies the urgency of Israel's spiritual decision and the definitive nature of God's impending revelation.
• that you are God in Israel:
  • Hebrew: כִּי אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל (ki attah Elohim b'Yisra'el) – "that You are God in Israel." This is the core petition: to reveal Yahweh's exclusive deity over and among His people. It directly refutes the pagan notion of many gods or that Baal had any authority in Israel. It implies God's omnipresence and singular authority over His chosen land.
• and that I am your servant:
  • Hebrew: וַאֲנִי עַבְדֶּךָ (va'ani avdekha) – "and I am Your servant." Elijah humbly yet confidently asserts his divinely appointed role and commission. This contrasts him with the self-appointed or pagan prophets, demonstrating that his authority derives solely from God, not personal ambition or power. It protects God's glory by showing Elijah acts only as a vessel.
• and that I have done all these things at your word:
  • Hebrew: וּבִדְבָרְךָ עָשִׂיתִי אֵת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה (u'vidvarekha asiti et kol-haDvarim ha'elleh) – "and by/according to Your word I have done all these things." This crucial clause attributes every action on Mount Carmel (challenging Baal, preparing the altar, drenching it) directly to divine command, dispelling any accusation of independent magical acts or prophetic presumption. It reinforces the authority of God’s spoken word, contrasting with the empty words of the Baal prophets.

Words-group analysis:

• "At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice": This phrase ties Elijah's extraordinary actions to the ordinary, prescribed worship of Israel, demonstrating continuity with covenant practice rather than radical departure. It highlights God's faithfulness to His established ways, even in times of apostasy.
• "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob": This invocation stresses God's covenant identity, historic faithfulness, and the continuity of His redemptive plan through generations, powerfully appealing to His established relationship with Israel. It reminded the people of their ancestral faith versus current idolatry.
• "let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and that I have done all these things at your word": This threefold request is a direct, public challenge to the prevalent idolatry, seeking immediate divine vindication for God's supremacy, Elijah's authenticity as His prophet, and the divine origin of all the day's actions. It defines the stakes and the specific demonstrations Elijah prays for, proving who is God and who speaks for Him.

1 Kings 18 36 Bonus section

The specific time of the "evening sacrifice" (minchah) aligns prophetically with other significant events in God’s redemptive plan, such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which occurred around the ninth hour (3 PM), also marking the climax of a unique sacrifice. This subtle connection emphasizes that God's great interventions often align with specific, Divinely ordained moments or previous typological shadows within His covenant history. Furthermore, Elijah’s careful assertion that "I have done all these things at your word" underscores the theological principle of prophetic authenticity: true prophets do not act on their own authority or divination, but as direct conduits for God's revealed will. This contrasts sharply with the frantic, self-driven efforts of the Baal prophets, who relied on ritualistic magic and their own human exertions rather than a divine word.

1 Kings 18 36 Commentary

Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18:36 is a pivotal moment embodying faith, theological precision, and prophetic boldness. By invoking "YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," Elijah anchors his plea in God's covenant faithfulness and unique relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from pagan deities like Baal who had no historical covenant. The timing, "at the offering of the evening sacrifice," subtly critiques Israel’s abandonment of Mosaic worship, reminding them of God’s established ritual and covenantal promises while aligning his prayer with divine ordinance rather than human invention. The prayer's central purpose is a direct challenge to the theological crisis in Israel: God's demand for monotheism ("that You are God in Israel") versus the syncretism of Baal worship. Elijah’s threefold petition for public knowledge—God’s exclusive deity, his own authentic servanthood, and the divine origin of his actions—leaves no room for ambiguity. This concise yet powerful prayer ultimately serves as a conduit for God to manifest His unrivaled power, vindicating Himself and His true prophet, and calling His apostate people back to singular allegiance.