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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_kings/18.htm">New International Version</a> Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, &#8220Your name shall be Israel.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, <a href="/esv/1_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, &#8220Israel shall be your name.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of Yahweh had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Elijah took twelve stones in accordance with the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Elijah took twelve stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel will be your name” — <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Elijah took 12 stones—according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, &#8220Israel will be your name"— <a href="/asv/1_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel shall be thy name. <a href="/erv/1_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Elijah took 12 stones, one for each of the tribes named after Jacob's sons. (The LORD had spoken his word to Jacob: "Your name will be Israel.") <a href="/gnt/1_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> He took twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob, the man to whom the LORD had given the name Israel. <a href="/isv/1_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob's descendants, to whom the message from the LORD had come that "Israel is to be your name." <a href="/msb/1_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, ?Israel shall be your name.? <a href="/net/1_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes that descended from Jacob, to whom the LORD had said, "Israel will be your new name." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: <a href="/web/1_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a> Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom Yahweh’s word came, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Elijah takes twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of YHWH was, saying, “Israel is your name”; <a href="/ylt/1_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Elijah taketh twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Jehovah was, saying, 'Israel is thy name;' <a href="/slt/1_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Elijah will take twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, whom was the word of Jehovah to him, saying, Israel shall be thy name:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying: Israel shall be thy name. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he took twelve stones, in accord with the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a> He took twelve stones, for the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the LORD had said: Israel shall be your name. <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name”;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be your name; <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Elyah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Yaqob, he upon whom the word of LORD JEHOVAH was, and he had said to him: “Israel shall be your name.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying: 'Israel shall be thy name.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Eliu took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, as the Lord spoke to him, saying, Israel shall be thy name. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/18-31.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=7286" 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 on Mount Carmel</a> …30Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. 31<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/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·têm (Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">twelve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘eś·rêh (Number-fsc) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">stones,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: kə·mis·par (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">one for each</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">tribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">of Jacob,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had come</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">“Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">shall be</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·me·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">your name.”</a> 32And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.…<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="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a> Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” <a href="/genesis/35-10.htm">Genesis 35:10</a> And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel. <a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a> And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. <a href="/joshua/4-5.htm">Joshua 4:5-9</a> and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, / to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ / you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” ... <a href="/2_kings/17-34.htm">2 Kings 17:34</a> To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">2 Kings 17:35</a> For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. <a href="/2_kings/17-36.htm">2 Kings 17:36</a> Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. <a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">2 Kings 17:37</a> And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. <a href="/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38</a> Do not forget the covenant I have made with you. Do not worship other gods, <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm">2 Kings 17:39</a> but worship the LORD your God, and He will deliver you from the hands of all your enemies.” <a href="/2_kings/17-40.htm">2 Kings 17:40</a> But they would not listen, and they persisted in their former customs. <a href="/2_kings/17-41.htm">2 Kings 17:41</a> So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">2 Kings 23:3</a> So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant. <a href="/2_chronicles/15-8.htm">2 Chronicles 15:8</a> When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-16.htm">2 Chronicles 33:16</a> Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be your name:twelve stones<a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a> And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.<a href="/joshua/4-3.htm">Joshua 4:3,4</a> And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night… <a href="/ezra/6-17.htm">Ezra 6:17</a> And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.saying<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a> And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.<a href="/genesis/33-20.htm">Genesis 33:20</a> And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.<a href="/genesis/35-10.htm">Genesis 35:10</a> And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/21-22.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-30.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-30.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-22.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-23.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/2-53.htm">Descended</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">Eli'jah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">Word</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>And Elijah took twelve stones Elijah's use of twelve stones is significant, symbolizing the unity and completeness of the nation of Israel, which was originally composed of twelve tribes. This act recalls the construction of altars by the patriarchs, such as Jacob, who also used stones to commemorate divine encounters (<a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Genesis 28:18</a>). The number twelve is often associated with God's covenant people, as seen in the twelve apostles in the New Testament.one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob The reference to the "sons of Jacob" emphasizes the historical and covenantal roots of the nation. Jacob, later named Israel, had twelve sons who became the progenitors of the twelve tribes. This act by Elijah serves as a reminder of the original unity and purpose of the nation, despite the current division into the northern and southern kingdoms. It underscores the call to return to the covenant faithfulness of their ancestors.to whom the word of the LORD had come This phrase highlights the divine revelation and covenant relationship that God established with Jacob and his descendants. The "word of the LORD" signifies God's promises and commands, which were foundational to Israel's identity and mission. It also points to the prophetic tradition, where God's word is delivered through chosen messengers like Elijah, calling the people back to faithfulness.and said, “Israel shall be your name.” The renaming of Jacob to Israel (<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a>) is a pivotal moment, signifying transformation and divine purpose. "Israel" means "he struggles with God," reflecting both Jacob's personal encounter with God and the nation's ongoing relationship with Him. This name carries the promise of being God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. Elijah's reference to this name serves as a call to remember their identity and destiny as God's covenant people, urging them to forsake idolatry and return to the LORD.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God who played a crucial role in challenging the worship of Baal in Israel and demonstrating the power of the one true God. 2. <a href="/topical/t/twelve_stones.htm">Twelve Stones</a> Symbolic representation of the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying unity and the covenant relationship between God and His people. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sons_of_jacob.htm">Sons of Jacob</a> Refers to the twelve tribes of Israel, descendants of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mount_carmel.htm">Mount Carmel</a> The location where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal and demonstrated God's power through the miraculous fire from heaven. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_word_of_the_lord.htm">The Word of the LORD</a> Represents God's covenant and promises to the people of Israel, emphasizing their identity and calling as His chosen people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The twelve stones represent the unity of the twelve tribes, despite their differences. In the body of Christ, believers are called to unity, reflecting the diverse yet unified nature of God's people. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_remembrance.htm">Covenant Remembrance</a> Just as Elijah used the stones to remind Israel of their covenant with God, believers are encouraged to remember and live by the promises and commitments made to God. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_god.htm">Identity in God</a> The name "Israel" signifies a new identity given by God. Christians are reminded of their identity in Christ, which calls for a life that reflects His character and purposes. <a href="/topical/f/faithful_witness.htm">Faithful Witness</a> Elijah's actions on Mount Carmel serve as a powerful witness to God's sovereignty. Believers are called to be bold in their faith, standing firm in the truth of God's Word. <a href="/topical/s/symbolic_acts_of_faith.htm">Symbolic Acts of Faith</a> The use of physical symbols, like the stones, can serve as powerful reminders of spiritual truths. Christians can incorporate meaningful symbols in their spiritual practices to reinforce their faith.<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/is_adoram's_stoning_in_1_kings_12_18_verified.htm">Is there any external record confirming the swift stoning of Adoram in 1 Kings 12:18, or does this raise doubts about the event's historicity?</a> <a href="/q/can_1_kings_18_38's_fire_be_explained.htm">In 1 Kings 18:38, how can the sudden 'fire from the LORD' be explained scientifically or verified historically?</a> <a href="/q/why_didn't_jesus_write_his_message.htm">Why didn't Jesus write anything Himself if His message was the most important revelation in history?</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>(31) Twelve stones.--The emphatic notice of these, as emblematic of the twelve tribes, is significant. In spite of political division, and even religious separation, the tribes were still united in the covenant of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - And Elijah took twelve stones [This number, too, was full of significance. Not only would it carry back their thoughts to the giving of the law (<a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a>; <a href="/exodus/28-21.htm">Exodus 28:21</a>), and to their fathers' entrance into the promised land (<a href="/joshua/4-3.htm">Joshua 4:3, 9</a>), but it would remind them of the essential unity of the people, notwithstanding the division of the kingdom. The act was thus a protest against the schism. We cannot hold with Keil, Wordsworth, al. that it was "a practical declaration on the part of the prophet that the division of the nation into two kingdoms was at variance with the will of God," because we are distinctly told that that division was "from the Lord" (<a href="/1_kings/12-15.htm">1 Kings 12:15</a>). But it was certainly a witness against a divided Church, and a reminder of the unity of the race], according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came [<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a>], saying, Israel shall be thy name. [He thus protests against the exclusive assumption of the name of Israel, and the exception of the southern kingdom from the glorious heritage and calling of Israel, by the ten tribes. But we cannot follow Bahr in the belief that Jacob received "from Jehovah the name of Israel," i.e., the "soldier of God," because he commanded his house to "put away the strange gods" (<a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Genesis 35:2, 10</a> sqq.), or that Elijah would teach that "only those who did as Jacob did had a claim to his name." The great idea is that the people are one, and are the Lord's.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/18-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And Elijah אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ (’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 took וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take twelve שְׁתֵּ֤ים (šə·têm) Number - fd <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) stones— אֲבָנִ֔ים (’ă·ḇā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone one for each כְּמִסְפַּ֖ר (kə·mis·par) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> A number, definite, indefinite, narration tribe שִׁבְטֵ֣י (šiḇ·ṭê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe of Jacob's יַעֲקֹ֑ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc descendants בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son to אֵלָיו֙ (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to whom אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the word דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had come הָיָ֨ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be and said, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc shall be יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be your name.” שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (šə·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 18:31 Elijah took twelve stones according to (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/18-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 18:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 18:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:32" /></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>