1 Kings 18:28

Translations

Modern

So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.

Traditional

And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Literal

And they called out in a loud voice, and they cut themselves according to their custom with the swords and with the spears, until the blood gushed out over them.

Latin

Clamabant ergo voce magna, et incidebant se juxta ritum suum cultris et lanceolis, donec perfunderentur sanguine.

Original

Hebrew

English

So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.

Notes

1 Kings 18:28–29

shouted … cut themselves … raving: This behavior was typical in ancient pagan religions, but their actions received no response. There is only one true God (Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4; Isaiah 44:8), and all other hopes will fail (Isaiah 45:22).

1 Kings 17:1–19:21

The prophet Elijah's work was closely tied to his spiritual growth. Elijah challenged Israel's interest in Baal, the Canaanite storm god. During this conflict, Elijah saw God's power and support, unlike Baal's weakness. This was shown in Elijah's contest with Baal's prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1–46). After fleeing from Jezebel, God renewed Elijah's mission at Mount Sinai (1 Kings 19:1–18). Elijah's mission was finished by his successor, Elisha (1 Kings 19:19–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Elijah Jezebel Altars Prophets in 1 Kings

Events

Prophecies of Elijah

Related verses

Leviticus 19:28
You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 14:1
You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,
Mark 5:5
Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Micah 6:7
Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Mark 9:22
“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Glossary

Ahab (King) Baal (Idol) Carmel Idols, Idolatry Jehu Jezebel Kings, Books of First and Second Miracle Pagans Prophecy Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Ahab: King of Israel: Reproved by Elijah; Assembles the Prophets of Baal Carmel: A Fertile and Picturesque Mountain in Palestine: An Idolatrous High Place Upon Derisively Challenges the Priests of Baal to offer Sacrifices Idol: Prayer To, Unanswered Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Cutting the Flesh Idolatry: Other Customs of Cutting the Flesh Knife: Self-Flagellation With, in Idolatrous Worship Prayer: Importunity in Elijah Prayer: Prayer Test Proposed by Elijah Prayer: To Idols Revivals: Elijah

1 Kings 18:28

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