1 Kings 19 11

1 Kings 19:11 kjv

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

1 Kings 19:11 nkjv

Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;

1 Kings 19:11 niv

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

1 Kings 19:11 esv

And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

1 Kings 19:11 nlt

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 11 Meaning

This verse describes the preliminary phenomena that occurred before the Lord revealed Himself to Elijah on Mount Horeb. It emphasizes that despite a display of overwhelming natural forces—a powerful wind shattering mountains, and an earthquake—the Lord's presence was notably absent from these destructive manifestations. This sets the stage for a revelation of God that defies common expectations of raw power and thunderous might.

1 Kings 19 11 Context

This verse occurs after Elijah's triumph over the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel, a powerful display of God's might. However, following this great victory, Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah's life, causing him to flee into the wilderness in despair. He wished for death (1 Ki 19:4). After divine provision and strengthening, he travels for forty days to Horeb, the "mountain of God" (Mount Sinai). This journey signifies a return to the foundational place of Israel's covenant with God, recalling Moses' encounters there. Elijah is depressed and believes himself to be the only faithful prophet left. God brings him to this sacred site to re-orient him, not by repeating the grand, fearful display of Sinai (Exod 19), but by revealing a different aspect of His nature, preparing for the profound encounter described in this verse and the one following it. The immediate context of Elijah's emotional state—disheartened and overwhelmed—is crucial for understanding God's method of revelation here.

1 Kings 19 11 Word analysis

• Then He said: This indicates a direct divine instruction given to Elijah.
• Go out (יֵצֵא, yetze): A command to move from the cave where Elijah was dwelling. It suggests stepping out of his immediate confinement, both physically and perhaps spiritually from his despair.
• and stand on the mountain: Refers to Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai. This is a place of significant theological encounters with God for Moses and Israel, adding weight to Elijah's experience. Standing implies readiness and attentiveness for divine communication.
• before the Lord: (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei YHWH) This signifies a direct, personal encounter with the presence of God Himself, often indicating a place or time of divine manifestation. YHWH is the covenant name of God, indicating His personal relationship with His people.
• And behold: (וְהִנֵּה, vehineh) An interjection signaling something dramatic, surprising, or noteworthy is about to happen, drawing the reader's immediate attention.
• the Lord passed by: (יְהוָה עֹבֵר, YHWH over) This phrase directly echoes the divine passing by Moses on Mount Sinai where God proclaimed His character (Exod 33:19, 34:6). It suggests a unique, direct, and intimate manifestation of God's presence, though not necessarily a visible form.
• And a great and strong wind: (רוּחַ גְּדוֹלָה וְחָזָק, ruach gedolah v'chazaq)
  • ruach: This Hebrew word can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit." Here, context clearly points to a violent wind, yet its alternative meanings are resonant with God's Spirit.
  • gedolah v'chazaq: "Great and strong," emphasizing its immense destructive power.
• tore into the mountains: (מְפָרֵק הָרִים, mefareq harim) Depicts the wind's immense force, able to reshape the very landscape, indicating supernatural power.
• and broke the rocks in pieces: (וּמְשַׁבֵּר סְלָעִים, um'shaber s'la'im) Further illustration of the extreme, destructive force. This imagery often accompanies divine judgment or overwhelming power in the Bible.
• before the Lord: Again, reiterates God's presence, observing these phenomena.
• but the Lord was not in the wind: (וְלֹא בָרוּחַ יְהוָה, v'lo varuach YHWH) This is a crucial, repeated negative statement. It explicitly separates God's immediate presence or core essence from these powerful, destructive natural phenomena, contrasting with common ancient Near Eastern storm-god worship (e.g., Baal, who was associated with thunder and storms). It redefines the expected manner of divine revelation.
• and after the wind an earthquake: (וְאַחַר הָרוּחַ רַעַשׁ, v'achar haruach ra'ash) A seismic event, another natural disaster demonstrating immense power. Earthquakes often accompany divine appearances or judgment in Scripture.
• but the Lord was not in the earthquake: (וְלֹא בָרַעַשׁ יְהוָה, v'lo vara'ash YHWH) The second negation, reinforcing the theme that God's actual presence was distinct from these mighty, unsettling events.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.'": This initial instruction highlights divine initiative and direction for Elijah, summoning him to a sacred, familiar ground for a direct encounter with God's presence.
• "And behold, the Lord passed by!": This mirrors the earlier, climactic encounter between Moses and God on the same mountain (Exod 33:19-22), indicating a deep and personal divine manifestation for Elijah, despite his despair.
• "And a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;": This passage contrasts a typical ancient Near Eastern theophany (manifestation of a god, often linked to storm deities like Baal) with Yahweh's actual presence. The "wind" (ruach) could evoke powerful Spirit, yet God deliberately distinguishes His indwelling presence from the overwhelming force, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation rather than identification with it. This also subtly discredits nature deities worshiped by surrounding cultures.
• "and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;": Continues the same pattern. Earthquakes signify divine power and judgment, yet again, God’s personal presence is deliberately absent from this cataclysmic event. It reinforces the theological point that God's full self-revelation is not defined by these awe-inspiring, fearful displays alone.

1 Kings 19 11 Bonus section

This narrative on Mount Horeb for Elijah serves as a powerful counterpoint to Moses' experience at the same mountain. For Moses, God appeared in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exod 19), reflecting His powerful covenant-making presence. For Elijah, disheartened and needing personal reassurance, God reveals Himself after the immense power displays. This unique manifestation challenged Elijah’s prevailing perception of divine presence. He had just experienced God’s awesome power against Baal, expecting a continued manifestation of overwhelming force to overcome Jezebel. However, God, in His infinite wisdom, sought to minister to Elijah’s spirit through quietness, addressing his fear and loneliness rather than reinforcing external victory. The passage hints at God's gentle, nurturing character, not just His formidable might, which Elijah truly needed at this moment of deep spiritual weariness.

1 Kings 19 11 Commentary

1 Kings 19:11 initiates a pivotal moment in Elijah's life, shifting from external displays of God's power (like the fire on Carmel) to a more internal, intimate understanding of God's presence. Despite Elijah's expectation or prior experiences of God in thunder, fire, or wind, this verse deliberately separates God's essential being from these manifestations of raw, destructive power. The divine purpose here is not to impress Elijah with God's might—Elijah already knows God's power. Rather, God is teaching Elijah about the nuance of His presence and how He chooses to work. The "wind" and "earthquake" are powerful and attention-grabbing, akin to the societal tumult or loud voices that demand attention, but God's true essence or next message is found elsewhere. This narrative serves as a profound theological statement against polemical deities whose power was limited to and identical with natural forces, emphasizing Yahweh's transcendence over creation and His often subtle approach in communicating with His prophets and people. It prepared Elijah to perceive God in a way he hadn't fully before.For practical usage, this passage reminds believers not to equate God's presence or action solely with dramatic, visible, or overwhelming events. Often, God speaks and works in unexpected ways that demand careful listening and spiritual discernment beyond mere power displays.