1 Kings 18 44

1 Kings 18:44 kjv

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.

1 Kings 18:44 nkjv

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' "

1 Kings 18:44 niv

The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." So Elijah said, "Go and tell Ahab, 'Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'?"

1 Kings 18:44 esv

And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'"

1 Kings 18:44 nlt

Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, "I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea." Then Elijah shouted, "Hurry to Ahab and tell him, 'Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don't hurry, the rain will stop you!'"

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 44 Meaning

1 Kings 18:44 describes the moment when, after Elijah's persistent prayers, his servant reported the first visible sign of approaching rain, a tiny cloud no bigger than a man's hand appearing out of the sea. This seemingly insignificant sign signaled the imminent end of the long drought, confirming the divine power of Yahweh and the efficacy of Elijah's fervent prayer.

1 Kings 18 44 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Elijah's monumental triumph over the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel, where Yahweh spectacularly consumed the sacrifice with fire, demonstrating His sole deity and power over Baal, the purported storm god. Following this display, Elijah instructs Ahab to eat and drink, proclaiming the "sound of a heavy rain." Though there was no visible sign of rain at this point, Elijah's words were rooted in absolute faith in Yahweh's promise. He then went to the top of Carmel, sending his servant to look towards the sea for a sign of rain. The drought, which had lasted three and a half years, was a divine judgment on Israel for their idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, particularly their promotion of Baal worship (1 Kgs 17:1, 1 Kgs 18:1). Elijah's prayer for rain thus serves as a powerful testament to Yahweh's authority over nature, directly refuting the claims of Baal's dominion over weather and fertility, thereby reinforcing God's supremacy as the true sovereign.

1 Kings 18 44 Word analysis

• And it came to pass at the seventh time,

  • "seventh time": (Heb. שֶׁבַע, sheva, meaning "seven") - This numerical detail holds significant spiritual weight beyond mere sequential counting. In Hebrew culture and biblical typology, the number seven often signifies completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or the culmination of a divine process (e.g., creation in seven days, the Sabbath). Here, it suggests that the delay was not due to God's hesitation but part of a divinely appointed process or testing of perseverance and faith. It underscores the concept of persistent prayer until a visible manifestation occurs, implying that God's timing is perfect.

• that he said,

  • "he said": This refers to Elijah, instructing his servant for the seventh time. Elijah, though a prophet, does not perform miracles on command; he relies on and discerns God's timing. His continuous instruction indicates a firm expectation born of faith.

• Behold,

  • "Behold": (Heb. הִנֵּה, hinnêh, "look," "see") - An interjection calling for immediate attention to something newly revealed or significant. It highlights the sudden appearance of the previously non-existent sign and marks a turning point in the narrative.

• there ariseth

  • "ariseth": (Heb. עָלָה, ʿalah, "to go up," "to ascend") - Suggests a slow, gradual, and seemingly insignificant emergence, yet implying a powerful process beginning to unfold.

• a little cloud

  • "a little cloud": (Heb. עָב קְטַנָּה, ʿāv qeṭannāh, "a small cloud") - The smallness is crucial. It stands in stark contrast to the promised "heavy rain." It is barely perceptible, symbolizing how God often starts His greatest works from humble or seemingly insignificant beginnings. It tests faith and teaches reliance on God's word rather than on immediate grand signs.

• out of the sea,

  • "out of the sea": (Heb. מִיָּם, miyyam, "from the sea") - The literal origin of the cloud, reinforcing the natural source (evaporation) through which God performs His supernatural work. It signifies that even nature bows to God's command.

• like a man's hand.

  • "like a man's hand": (Heb. כְּכַף־אִישׁ, k'chaph-ʾîsh, "like the palm of a man," or "hollow of a man's hand") - This vivid, specific imagery further emphasizes the minuscule size of the cloud. The 'palm of a hand' is small, but it is also a recipient. It hints at the divine act being precise and perfectly proportioned for its initial stage. It directly challenges any doubt that such a tiny formation could produce a deluge, pointing to God's boundless power.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "at the seventh time": This phrase underlines Elijah's extraordinary perseverance and faith. His consistent instruction to his servant highlights an unwavering belief that God would answer, even after six times of seeing nothing. It's not mere repetition but a focused anticipation of a divine moment. The significance of "seven" suggests a complete and divinely orchestrated process leading to a climatic divine response, demonstrating that God works in His perfect time, which often requires steadfast waiting from humanity.
  • "a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand": This powerful description juxtaposes insignificance with immensity. The initial sign is so tiny, easily dismissible as inconsequential. Yet, from this minute beginning, a deluge is about to unleash (1 Kgs 18:45). This is a profound biblical principle: God often begins His greatest works in humble, unseen, or seemingly inadequate ways, thereby ensuring that the credit and glory go entirely to Him. It also serves as a potent polemic against Baal worship, which involved grand, ineffective rituals. Yahweh, the true God, responds to simple, faithful prayer with a small, unassuming sign that culminates in overwhelming power.

1 Kings 18 44 Bonus section

Elijah's actions here teach profound lessons about discerning God's activity. He knew rain was coming not because of visible signs, but because he had heard "the sound of a heavy rain" in his spirit (1 Kgs 18:41), a testament to deep prophetic assurance. He then instructed his servant to search for external confirmation. The initial lack of a sign, even after repeated attempts, did not deter Elijah's faith; instead, he commanded continued observation. This illustrates that faith often precedes sight, and obedience, even when there's no visible evidence, can lead to powerful manifestations of God's promises. The immediate instruction to Ahab to descend quickly ("Get down before the rain stops you") before the cloud had even begun to fully form underscores Elijah's unwavering conviction and prophetic foresight of God's swift and mighty intervention.

1 Kings 18 44 Commentary

1 Kings 18:44 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Elijah's confrontation with Baalism. After enduring a long drought, which was God's judgment against Israel's idolatry, Elijah's prayer for rain required remarkable persistence. He prayed seven times, sending his servant to look for a sign. The "seventh time" denotes not merely numerical repetition but a divine culmination, where the completion of faith meets the perfection of God's timing. The report of "a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand" is profoundly significant. It portrays God's method: starting small, almost imperceptibly, to accomplish a great work. This seemingly insignificant speck on the horizon quickly developed into a torrential downpour, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy and confirming Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over nature—a direct challenge to Baal, who was impotent to bring rain despite the fervent pleas of his prophets. This verse encapsulates the themes of tenacious faith, God's unexpected ways of working, the power of prayer, and the undeniable victory of Yahweh over false deities, emphasizing that divine answers often begin with signs so humble that they demand true spiritual discernment to recognize.