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Don&#8217t let anyone get away!&#8221 They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Elijah commanded, “Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape!” So the people seized them all, and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there. <a href="/esv/1_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. <a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there. <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a> And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slaughtered them there. <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Elijah said to them, &#8220Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.&#8221 So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/lsb/1_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slaughtered them there. <a href="/amp/1_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” They seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and [as God’s law required] killed them there. <a href="/csb/1_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there. <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah ordered them, &#8220Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.&#8221 So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there. <a href="/asv/1_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/cev/1_kings/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Just then, Elijah said, "Grab the prophets of Baal! Don't let any of them get away." So the people captured the prophets and took them to Kishon River, where Elijah killed every one of them. <a href="/erv/1_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> and Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Elijah told them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let any of them escape." The people seized them, and Elijah took them to the Kishon River and slaughtered them there. <a href="/gnt/1_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> Elijah ordered, "Seize the prophets of Baal; don't let any of them get away!" The people seized them all, and Elijah led them down to Kishon Brook and killed them. <a href="/isv/1_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Elijah said, "Arrest the prophets of Baal. Don't let even one of them get away." So the people seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and executed them there. <a href="/msb/1_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah ordered them, ?Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.? So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there. <a href="/net/1_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a> Elijah told them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Don't let even one of them escape!" So they seized them, and Elijah led them down to the Kishon Valley and executed them there. <a href="/nheb/1_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape." And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon, and killed them there. <a href="/wbt/1_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/web/1_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a> Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let one of them escape!” They seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Elijah says to them, “Catch the prophets of Ba‘al; do not let a man escape from them”; and they catch them, and Elijah brings them down to the Brook of Kishon, and slaughters them there. <a href="/ylt/1_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Elijah saith to them, 'Catch ye the prophets of Baal; let not a man escape of them;' and they catch them, and Elijah bringeth them down unto the stream Kishon, and doth slaughter them there. <a href="/slt/1_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Elijah will say to them, Seize the prophets of Baal; a man shall not escape from them. And they will seize them, and Elijah will bring them down to the torrent Kishon, and they will slaughter them there.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Elias said to them: Take the prophets of Baal, and let not one of them escape. And when they had taken them, Elias brought them down to the torrent Cison, and killed them there. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Elijah said to them, “Apprehend the prophets of Baal, and do not let even one of them escape.” And when they had apprehended them, Elijah led them down to the torrent Kishon, and he put them to death there. <a href="/nabre/1_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Let none of them escape!” They seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and there he slaughtered them. <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” Then they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon, and killed them there.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Elijah said to them, Seize the prophets of Baal, and let not one of them escape. And they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slew them there. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Elyah said to them: “Seize the Prophets of Baala, and not a man of them shall escape!” And they seized them and Elyah brought them down to the valley of Qishon, and he slaughtered them there.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Elijah said unto them: 'Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.' And they took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. <a href="/sep/1_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Eliu said to the people, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them; and Eliu brings them down to the brook Kisson, and he slew them there. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/18-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=7389" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Elijah's Prayer</a> …39When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” 40<a href="/hebrew/452.htm" title="452: ’ê·lî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged teliyahuw; from 'el and Yahh; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites.">Then Elijah</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">ordered</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8610.htm" title="8610: tip̄·śū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably.">“Seize</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: nə·ḇî·’ê (N-mpc) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">the prophets</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: hab·ba·‘al (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">of Baal!</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">let a single one</a> <a href="/hebrew/4422.htm" title="4422: yim·mā·lêṭ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. to escape; causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks.">escape.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/mê·hem (Prep-m:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8610.htm" title="8610: way·yiṯ·pə·śūm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably.">So they seized them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/452.htm" title="452: ’ê·lî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Or prolonged teliyahuw; from 'el and Yahh; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites.">and Elijah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yō·w·ri·ḏêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">brought them down</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7028.htm" title="7028: qî·šō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- A wadi in the plain of Megiddo. From qowsh; winding; Kishon, a river of Palestine.">the Kishon</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: na·ḥal (N-msc) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft.">Valley</a> <a href="/hebrew/7819.htm" title="7819: way·yiš·ḥā·ṭêm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To slaughter, beat. A primitive root; to slaughter.">and slaughtered them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-5.htm">Deuteronomy 13:5</a> Such a prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has advocated rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way in which the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. So you must purge the evil from among you. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20</a> But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” <a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a> If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Numbers 25:4-5</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.” / So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.” <a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Deuteronomy 17:2-5</a> If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant / and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— / and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, ... <a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">2 Kings 10:25-28</a> When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.” So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal. / They brought out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it. / They also demolished the sacred pillar of Baal. Then they tore down the temple of Baal and made it into a latrine, which it is to this day. ... <a href="/jeremiah/29-21.htm">Jeremiah 29:21-23</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you lies in My name: “I will deliver them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes. / Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ / For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.” <a href="/2_chronicles/15-13.htm">2 Chronicles 15:13</a> And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Leviticus 20:27</a> A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist must surely be put to death. They shall be stoned; their blood is upon them.’” <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Deuteronomy 13:9-10</a> Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people. / Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ... <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. <a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Revelation 19:20</a> But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. <a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-11</a> They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ... <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.Take.<a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">2 Kings 10:25</a> And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.Kishon<a href="/judges/5-21.htm">Judges 5:21</a> The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.slew them there<a href="/deuteronomy/13-5.htm">Deuteronomy 13:5</a> And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20</a> But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.<a href="/jeremiah/48-10.htm">Jeremiah 48:10</a> Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-25.htm">Ba'al</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-7.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Catch</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-9.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-6.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-13.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/5-21.htm">Kishon</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-25.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-21.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-30.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-17.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-13.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-7.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-7.htm">Torrent</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm">Ba'al</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-18.htm">Catch</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-17.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/psalms/83-9.htm">Kishon</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-6.htm">Seize</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-21.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-20.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-7.htm">Torrent</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 18</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/18-1.htm">In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah</a> 9. <a href="/1_kings/18-9.htm">Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah</a> 17. <a href="/1_kings/18-17.htm">Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets</a> 41. <a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm">Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Elijah, a prophet of Yahweh, takes decisive action against the prophets of Baal after the demonstration of God's power on Mount Carmel. This command reflects the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, which demanded the execution of false prophets (<a href="/deuteronomy/13.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-5</a>). The confrontation on Mount Carmel was a direct challenge to Baal worship, which had been promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah's authority here is significant, as he acts as God's representative to restore true worship in Israel.Do not let a single one escape.” This phrase underscores the totality of the judgment against the prophets of Baal. It reflects the seriousness of idolatry in Israel and the need for complete eradication of false worship to prevent further spiritual corruption. The command for none to escape is reminiscent of the instructions given to Israel during the conquest of Canaan, where complete obedience was required to maintain purity and devotion to God (<a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-21</a>).So they seized them, The people, having witnessed the power of Yahweh, comply with Elijah's command. This act of seizing the prophets indicates a turning point for the Israelites, who had been wavering between worshiping Yahweh and Baal. The people's participation in this act signifies their acknowledgment of Yahweh as the true God, aligning with the covenantal call to serve Him alone (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>).and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley The Kishon Valley, located near Mount Carmel, serves as the geographical setting for the execution of judgment. This valley, which runs through the Jezreel Valley, is historically significant as a site of divine intervention and victory for Israel (<a href="/judges/4-13.htm">Judges 4:13-16</a>). The choice of this location may symbolize the cleansing of the land from idolatry and the restoration of God's authority.and slaughtered them there. The execution of the prophets of Baal is a sobering reminder of the consequences of leading Israel into idolatry. This act of judgment is consistent with the Old Testament's emphasis on the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It prefigures the ultimate judgment against all falsehood and evil, which will be fully realized in the eschatological fulfillment of God's kingdom. The slaughter also typologically points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as He triumphs over all spiritual forces opposed to God (<a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God who played a pivotal role in challenging the worship of Baal in Israel. He demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel. 2. <a href="/topical/p/prophets_of_baal.htm">Prophets of Baal</a> These were the false prophets who led Israel into idolatry, worshiping Baal instead of the one true God. 3. <a href="/topical/k/kishon_valley.htm">Kishon Valley</a> A location where Elijah executed the prophets of Baal, symbolizing the purging of idolatry from Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mount_carmel.htm">Mount Carmel</a> The site of the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, where God demonstrated His power by sending fire from heaven. 5. <a href="/topical/a/ahab.htm">Ahab</a> The king of Israel at the time, who, along with his wife Jezebel, promoted the worship of Baal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_zeal_for_god's_honor.htm">The Zeal for God's Honor</a> Elijah's actions demonstrate a profound zeal for God's honor and purity in worship. Believers today are called to uphold the truth of God's Word and reject false teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> The slaughter of the prophets of Baal serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of idolatry. Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for anything that might take precedence over their relationship with God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a> The events on Mount Carmel and the subsequent actions in the Kishon Valley highlight God's sovereignty and power over false gods. Believers can trust in God's ultimate authority and power in their lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_righteous_leadership.htm">The Role of Righteous Leadership</a> Elijah's leadership in confronting idolatry shows the importance of righteous leadership in guiding others toward truth and away from sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 18</a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_kings_19_fit_with_elijah's_story.htm">How does 1 Kings 19 fit with other biblical accounts of Elijah and the broader historical context, considering potential timeline or narrative discrepancies? (1 Kings 19)</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_baal's_altar_destruction.htm">Judges 6:25–27: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Baal’s altar in Gideon’s hometown? </a> <a href="/q/where_did_elijah_challenge_baal's_prophets.htm">Where did Elijah challenge the prophets of Baal?</a> <a href="/q/does_elijah's_challenge_align_with_monotheism.htm">How does Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21-24 align or conflict with other biblical teachings on monotheism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) Slew them.--This ruthless slaughter of Baal's prophets, as a judgment on their idolatry and perversion of the people, belongs alike to the fierce righteousness of the character of Elijah, and to the spirit of the old Law. (See, for example, <a href="/context/deuteronomy/13-6.htm" title="If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;">Deuteronomy 13:6-18</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/17-2.htm" title="If there be found among you, within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you, man or woman, that has worked wickedness in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant,">Deuteronomy 17:2-7</a>.) The law was adapted (as in the terrible crucial example of the slaughter of the Canaanites) to the "hardness of men's hearts." In the imperfect moral and religious education of those times, it did not recognise the difference between moral and political offences punishable by human law, and the religious sin or apostasy which we have been taught to leave to the judgment of God alone; and it enjoined an unrelenting severity in the execution of righteous vengeance, which would be morally impossible to us, who have been taught to hate the sin, and yet spare, as far as possible, the sinner. The frequent quotation of such examples by Christians--of which <a href="/luke/9-54.htm" title="And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, will you that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?">Luke 9:54</a> is the first example--is a spiritual anachronism. In this particular case, however, it is also to be remembered that those slain were no doubt implicated in the persecution headed by Jezebel, and that the Baal-worship was a licentious and perhaps bloody system. Elijah, presiding over the slaughter which dyed the waters of the Kishon with blood, felt himself the avenger of the slaughtered prophets, as well as the instrument of the judgment of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 40. - And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. [Elijah's promptitude is extremely striking. The people had hardly recovered from their terror and awe before he proceeds to judgment. The narrative has the air of truth, and was doubtless reduced to writing by an eye-witness.] And they took them: and Elijah brought them down [Heb. caused them to go down, i.e., had them brought down. He could but lead the way, as they numbered 450] to the brook [Wady. "Like most of the so called ' rivers of Palestine,' the perennial stream forms but a small part of the Kishon" (Grove)] Kishon ["Tortuous," now called Nahr el Mukatta, the "river of slaughter." See Thomson, L. and B. 2. pp. 140, 141; Porter, pp. 383-4; Dict. Bib. 2. p. 45. It flows directly under Carmel], and slew them there. [Obviously, he merely superintended the slaughter. That he slew them all with his own hand is altogether out of the question. Nor is it clear that" sword in hand he stood over them" (Stanley). Josephus rightly explains: "they slew the prophets at Elijah's instigation." It is almost certain, from their resorting to the Kishon for this purpose, that it was not quite dry at the time. Their blood would mingle with its waters, and the flood which the "great rain" would presently produce (cf. <a href="/judges/5-21.htm">Judges 5:21</a>) would carry their corpses down to the sea. It has often been supposed that the mound near the Kishon, known as Tell el Cassis, "the mound of the priests," derives its name from this slaughter of the prophets of Baal. But Conder (p. 90) remarks that "Kassis is the word applied to a Christian priest, and the word Kohen or Kamir would more naturally be expected if there was any real connexion with the idolatrous priests of Baal."] This action of the prophet Elijah in instituting this wholesale slaughter in the hour of his triumph has been repeatedly arraigned and denounced, but most unjustly. According to some, it was an act of gross fanaticism and cruelty; others have seen it in a wild and terrible vendetta for the murder of the Lord's prophets. By some, indeed, it has been justified on the principles of the lex talionis (<a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>, etc.); on the ground, that is to say, that the men who had instigated Jezebel in her attempted extermination of the prophetic schools had merited extermination in their turn. But it is a fatal objection to their view, first, that we not only have no proof, but no reason for thinking, that it was at their instigation that the queen "cut off the prophets of the Lord;" and, secondly, that it is not clear that she succeeded in her sanguinary purpose, or that many lives were sacrificed to her fury. And Elljah's action needs no such lame apologies. As the Lord's prophet, as the vindicator and restorer of the law, there was no other course open to him. If the Mosaic law was then written, and this very incident is one of the proofs that it was then written; if, however it had fallen into contempt or desuetude, it was still binding upon Israel; and if Elijah was justified in executing its provisions, and was required to execute them, however repugnant they might be to his inclinations (<a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a>), then he could not have done otherwise than he did. For it was an essential part of that law, it was an obligation that was laid, not once or twice, but on three separate occasions (<a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/13.htm">Deuteronomy 13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Deuteronomy 17:2-7</a>), on the Jewish people, it was a duty they were to perform, however distressing and harrowing it might be (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6-9</a>), to provide that the worshipper of false gods, and especially the teacher of such worship, should be put to death. It was primarily, of course, the duty of the authorities, of the theocratic king and his subordinates, to execute these injunctions. But the king of that age was corrupt and powerless - nay, was himself idolatrous. So great was the depravity of the time that the false prophet enjoyed the favour and protection of the court, and the true prophet was everywhere being hunted to death. The execution of this law, consequently, could not be expected from the king. It must be executed, if at all, in spite of him, and in disregard of his protests. It was only Elijah, therefore, could put it into force, and Elijah only in the hour of his triumph. And the jus zelotyparum, the right claimed by every faithful Jew to execute vengeance, after the example of Phinehas (<a href="/numbers/25-11.htm">Numbers 25:11</a>), upon any gross breach of the Divine law committed in his presence, was not his only warranty; he held a commission, higher than the king's, as the prophet of the Most High. He had just proved that the Lord He was God. It was now for him to prove that God's law was no dead letter. It was for him to cut off the men - some of them renegades from the faith of Israel, some of them foreign emissaries introduced into the land who had corrupted his countrymen, and threatened the very existence of the true religion. It is necessary, therefore, for those who challenge his conduct in this respect, who call him sanguinary, vindictive, etc., to settle their account with the law which he obeyed, and, indeed, with Him who has approved this deed, and has forewarned us that He too will act in like manner (<a href="/luke/19-27.htm">Luke 19:27</a>). For this terrible retribution is by no means an exceptional or isolated act, in contrast to the general spirit of that dispensation; on the contrary, it is in thorough accord with the system out of which it sprung. We gain nothing, therefore, by repudiating this one transaction. For clearly, in the first place, it was allowed and approved of God, who otherwise would hardly have answered the prayer which Elijah presently offered, and (2) other similar acts have distinctly received Divine commendation (<a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Exodus 32:25-28</a>; <a href="/numbers/25-7.htm">Numbers 25:7-13</a>; <a href="/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9</a> sqq.) It is true that the spirit of Elias was not the spirit of Christianity (<a href="/luke/9-56.htm">Luke 9:56</a>), but it is forgotten how different was the dispensation of Elijah from that of the New Covenant. In that age idolaters must receive their just recompense of reward, because the judgment to come had not then been revealed; because justice must be measured out to men in this life. We do not avenge idolatry or irreligion now with fire and sword, not because the thing is any the less sinful, but because the duty has been taken out of our hands; because our religion instructs us to leave it to Him who has said, "Vengeance is Mine," etc. It is perhaps worth remarking here that there is nothing in this history half so dreadful as might be seen on a thousand battlefields - and those not battlefields for truth and right - on which, nevertheless, Elijah's critics have learned to look with complacency. It may, however, be objected to this view that the punishment denounced by the law was stoning (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-10.htm">Deuteronomy 13:10</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/17-5.htm">Deuteronomy 17:5</a>). But surely it is easy to see why, in this particular, the law was not kept. It was simply that the exigency of the occasion did not permit of its being kept. It was because the 450 traitors to God and their country could not be stoned within the few hours that remained before the night closed in and the multitude dispersed, that a more speedy punishment, that of the sword, was adopted. And it would have been a sacrifice of the spirit of the law to the letter had some few false prophets been stoned and the rest thereby been afforded the opportunity to escape, and, under Jezebel's protection, to renew their efforts against truth and morality and religion. <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/18-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Elijah אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ (’ê·lî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_452.htm">Strong's 452: </a> Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites ordered them, וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Seize תִּפְשׂ֣וּ ׀ (tip̄·śū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8610.htm">Strong's 8610: </a> To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably the prophets נְבִיאֵ֣י (nə·ḇî·’ê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet of Baal! הַבַּ֗עַל (hab·ba·‘al) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> Baal -- a heathen god Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not let a single one אִ֛ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person escape.” יִמָּלֵ֥ט (yim·mā·lêṭ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4422.htm">Strong's 4422: </a> To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks So they seized them, וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם (way·yiṯ·pə·śūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8610.htm">Strong's 8610: </a> To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably and Elijah אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_452.htm">Strong's 452: </a> Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites brought them down וַיּוֹרִדֵ֤ם (way·yō·w·ri·ḏêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the Kishon קִישׁ֔וֹן (qî·šō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7028.htm">Strong's 7028: </a> Kishon -- a wadi in the plain of Megiddo Valley נַ֣חַל (na·ḥal) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5158.htm">Strong's 5158: </a> A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft and slaughtered וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם (way·yiš·ḥā·ṭêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7819.htm">Strong's 7819: </a> To slaughter, beat them there. שָֽׁם׃ (šām) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 18:40 And Elijah said to them Take (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/18-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 18:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 18:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>