1 Kings 18 7

1 Kings 18:7 kjv

And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?

1 Kings 18:7 nkjv

Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, "Is that you, my lord Elijah?"

1 Kings 18:7 niv

As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?"

1 Kings 18:7 esv

And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?"

1 Kings 18:7 nlt

As Obadiah was walking along, he suddenly saw Elijah coming toward him. Obadiah recognized him at once and bowed low to the ground before him. "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?" he asked.

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 7 Meaning

1 Kings 18:7 describes the highly anticipated encounter between Obadiah, the manager of King Ahab's palace who feared the Lord, and the prophet Elijah. As Obadiah was searching for water and pasture for the king's animals, he suddenly came upon Elijah, whom he immediately recognized. In an act of profound reverence and submission, Obadiah prostrated himself before the prophet, expressing his shock and awe with the question, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?" This meeting, orchestrated by God, marks the pivotal moment for Elijah to confront Ahab and initiate the dramatic showdown against Baal worship.

1 Kings 18 7 Context

1 Kings 18:7 is situated during a severe three-year drought, divinely sent as judgment upon Israel for King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's pervasive promotion of Baal worship. Elijah had pronounced the drought in 1 Kings 17:1 and then hid at God's command. In 1 Kings 18:1, the word of the Lord comes to Elijah to "show himself to Ahab," signaling an end to the drought and the beginning of a decisive confrontation. At this very time (1 Kgs 18:5-6), Ahab and Obadiah are desperately searching the land for any remaining water and pasture to save their animals, reflecting the severe impact of the famine. It is in this context of widespread apostasy and deep despair over the famine that Obadiah, a devout believer in Yahweh who secretly saved one hundred prophets from Jezebel (1 Kgs 18:4), unexpectedly encounters the very prophet whom Ahab has been relentlessly searching for to kill.

1 Kings 18 7 Word analysis

• As Obadiah: (Hebrew: עֹבַדְיָהוּ, ʿOvadyahu) Meaning "Servant of Yahweh" or "Worshiper of Yahweh." This name holds deep theological significance and dramatic irony, as Obadiah, a loyal servant of the apostate King Ahab, is concurrently a faithful servant of the True God, Yahweh. He stands as an example of a righteous remnant within a corrupt system, demonstrating steadfast faith despite immense pressure and danger. His service to an earthly king never compromises his service to the Divine King.

• was on the way: Implies purposeful movement, here driven by Ahab's desperate mission to find water. This specific route was orchestrated by God, setting up the meeting at His appointed time, emphasizing divine providence over human intention.

• behold: (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה, wəhinnēh) An interjection signaling immediate attention and surprise, highlighting the suddenness and profound significance of the encounter. It functions as a narrative marker, drawing the reader into the scene's unexpected revelation. This meeting is not by chance but by divine arrangement.

• Elijah: (Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ, ʾĒliyyahu) Meaning "My God is Yahweh." Elijah's name directly reflects his life's mission and the central conflict of 1 Kings 18—to unequivocally declare Yahweh as the one true God against the false god Baal. His sudden appearance embodies the powerful and active presence of Yahweh in a land that had forgotten Him.

• met him: Suggests an appointed encounter, not a random chance meeting. This divine orchestration emphasizes God's sovereign control over seemingly mundane events to bring about His purposes, particularly the impending challenge to Baal.

• and Obadiah recognized him: More than a simple visual identification, this implies a deep, intuitive understanding of Elijah's identity, importance, and connection to God. Despite Elijah's long absence, Obadiah instantly grasped the gravity of meeting the feared and sought-after prophet. His prior faith would have prepared him to discern Elijah's prophetic authority.

• and fell on his face: (Hebrew: וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו, wayyippōl ʿal-pānāyw) This posture signifies extreme deference, profound humility, respect, and reverence in the presence of someone of significantly higher authority, dignity, or divine anointing. It conveys deep awe, submission, and even fear before a man of God who embodies divine power.

• and said, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?": A rhetorical question filled with utter surprise, awe, and perhaps a touch of disbelief given Elijah's long absence and his perilous status as Ahab's most wanted. The address "my lord" (Hebrew: אֲדֹנִי, ʾăḏōnī) further emphasizes Obadiah's deep respect for Elijah as God's representative, acknowledging his spiritual authority even above his own considerable temporal rank.

1 Kings 18 7 Bonus section

• This verse vividly portrays a moment of divine alignment. Obadiah's critical mission to save the king's animals converges with God's timing for Elijah to reveal himself, highlighting Yahweh's intricate control over the movements of His servants.
• The surprise in Obadiah's question ("Is it you...?") underscores Elijah's formidable reputation and the extreme danger associated with his presence. To be seen with Elijah would invite Ahab's wrath and accusations of aiding the prophet.
• Obadiah’s recognition and reverential posture implicitly serve as a mini-polemic against Baal. His profound respect for Yahweh’s prophet, rather than for the idolatrous King Ahab or his pagan priests, demonstrates where true allegiance and power lie. It silently declares Yahweh's supremacy even before the Mount Carmel confrontation begins.

1 Kings 18 7 Commentary

1 Kings 18:7 initiates one of the most dramatic confrontations in biblical history by detailing the providential meeting between the faithful Obadiah and the bold prophet Elijah. This encounter is strategically placed at the climax of Israel's three-year drought, emphasizing that Yahweh, not Baal, controls the natural elements and human destinies. Obadiah, a man of quiet, consistent faith who courageously protected Yahweh's prophets within the wicked royal court, instantly recognizes Elijah, underscoring the deep reverence held for God's true messengers. His prostration is not merely polite greeting but a visceral expression of humility and profound respect for Elijah's divine commission and prophetic stature, highlighting the stark contrast between Obadiah's piety and Ahab's rebellious defiance. The entire scene serves to set the stage for Elijah to challenge Ahab directly, thus orchestrating the monumental contest on Mount Carmel that will undeniably reveal Yahweh as the one true God, stripping away all claims of Baal. The dialogue reveals the awe that a genuine man of God commands, even from those in positions of power.