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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 18:43 "Go and look toward the sea," he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, "There is nothing there." Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/18-43.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/11_1Ki_18_43.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 18:43 - The LORD Sends Rain" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Go and look toward the sea, he said to his servant. 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And he went up and looked. &#8220There is nothing there,&#8221 he said. Seven times Elijah said, &#8220Go back.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. <a href="/esv/1_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. <a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a> and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, but he said, “There is nothing.” Yet Elijah said, “Go back” seven times. <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said to his servant, &#8220Go up now, look toward the sea.&#8221 So he went up and looked and said, &#8220There is nothing.&#8221 And he said, &#8220Go back &#8220 seven times. <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. <a href="/lsb/1_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he said to his young man, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. <a href="/amp/1_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and he said to his servant, “Go up, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” Elijah said, “Go back” seven times. <a href="/csb/1_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he said to his servant, “Go up and look toward the sea.” So he went up, looked, and said, “There’s nothing.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he said to his servant, &#8220Go up and look toward the sea.&#8221 So he went up, looked, and said, &#8220There&#8217s nothing.&#8221 Seven times Elijah said, &#8220Go back.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. <a href="/cev/1_kings/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and said to his servant, "Look toward the sea." The servant left. And when he came back, he said, "I looked, but I didn't see anything." Elijah told him to look seven more times. <a href="/erv/1_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He said to his servant, "Please go back to [Mount Carmel], and look toward the sea." He went up, looked, [came back,] and said, "There's nothing." Seven times Elijah told him, "Go back." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> He said to his servant, "Go and look toward the sea." The servant went and returned, saying, "I didn't see a thing." Seven times in all Elijah told him to go and look. <a href="/isv/1_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he told his young servant, "Go and look toward the sea." So he went and looked out to sea. "Nothing there," he said. But Elijah told him to go back seven times. <a href="/msb/1_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Go and look toward the sea,? he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, ?There is nothing there.? Seven times Elijah said, ?Go back.? <a href="/net/1_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a> He told his servant, "Go on up and look in the direction of the sea." So he went on up, looked, and reported, "There is nothing." Seven times Elijah sent him to look. <a href="/nheb/1_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up, and looked, and said, "There is nothing." Then he said, "Go again" seven times. And the servant went again seven times. <a href="/wbt/1_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And said to his servant, Go up now, look towards the sea. And he went up and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. <a href="/web/1_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to his servant, “Go up now and look toward the sea.” He went up and looked, then said, “There is nothing.” He said, “Go again” seven times. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and says to his young man, “Now go up, look attentively [toward] the way of the sea”; and he goes up and looks attentively, and says, “There is nothing”; and he says, “Turn back,” seven times. <a href="/ylt/1_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and saith unto his young man, 'Go up, I pray thee, look attentively the way of the sea;' and he goeth up and looketh attentively, and saith, 'There is nothing;' and he saith, 'Turn back,' seven times. <a href="/slt/1_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say to his boy, Go up now, look the way of the sea. And he will go up and look, and say, Not any thing. And he will say, Turn back seven times.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to his servant: Go up, and look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said: There is nothing. And again he said to him: Return seven times. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to his servant, “Ascend, and gaze out toward the sea.” And when he had ascended, and had contemplated, he said, “There is nothing.” And again, he said to him, “Return seven times.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to his servant, “Go up and look out to sea.” He went up and looked, but reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times he said, “Go look again!” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” He went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” Then he said, “Go again seven times.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And said to his servant, Go up now, and look toward the sea. And he went up and looked, and said, There is nothing. And Elijah said to him, Go again seven times. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said to his disciple: “Come up! Look to the way of the sea!” And he came up and he gazed and said, “There is nothing!” He said to him, “Return” seven times.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he said to his servant: 'Go up now, look toward the sea.' And he went up, and looked, and said: 'There is nothing.' And he said: 'Go again seven times.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and said to his servant, Go up, and look toward the sea. And the servant looked, and said, There is nothing: and Eliu said, Do thou then go again seven times. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/18-43.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=7422" 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">The LORD Sends Rain</a> …42So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. 43<a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ă·lêh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">“Go</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5027.htm" title="5027: hab·bêṭ (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To look. A primitive root; to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care.">and look</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ- (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">toward</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: yām (N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">the sea,”</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.">he said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ă·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">his servant.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">So the servant went</a> <a href="/hebrew/5027.htm" title="5027: way·yab·bêṭ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To look. A primitive root; to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care.">and looked,</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.">and he said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">“There is nothing there.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3972.htm" title="3972: mə·’ū·māh (N-ms) -- Anything. Apparently a form of m'uwm; properly, a speck or point, i.e. something; with negative, nothing."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">Seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: pə·‘ā·mîm (N-fp) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">times</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.">Elijah said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šuḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“Go back.”</a> 44On the seventh time the servant reported, “There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” And Elijah replied, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”…<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="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17-18</a> Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops. <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. <a href="/2_kings/4-35.htm">2 Kings 4:35</a> Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. <a href="/genesis/8-10.htm">Genesis 8:10-11</a> Noah waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. / And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a> “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” <a href="/mark/11-23.htm">Mark 11:23-24</a> “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. / Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1</a> Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. <a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a> Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. <a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10-11</a> For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. <a href="/psalms/130-5.htm">Psalm 130:5-6</a> I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. / My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning. <a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Habakkuk 2:3</a> For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay. <a href="/romans/8-25.htm">Romans 8:25</a> But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a> For we walk by faith, not by sight. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a> Pray without ceasing.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.Go up<a href="/psalms/5-3.htm">Psalm 5:3</a> My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.<a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1</a> And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;Go again<a href="/genesis/32-26.htm">Genesis 32:26</a> And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.<a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Habakkuk 2:3</a> For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.<a href="/luke/18-7.htm">Luke 18:7</a> And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">Attentively</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-6.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-42.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-22.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-15.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-21.htm">Times</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-13.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-37.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-28.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-14.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/19-6.htm">Attentively</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-44.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-2.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-16.htm">Times</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-15.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-3.htm">Young</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>“Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. This command from Elijah to his servant takes place on Mount Carmel, a significant location in biblical history. Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel, providing a vantage point to view the Mediterranean Sea. The sea often symbolizes vastness and mystery in Scripture, and here it represents the source of anticipated rain. Elijah's instruction to look toward the sea reflects his faith in God's promise to end the drought, as he had previously declared that rain would come (<a href="/1_kings/18.htm">1 Kings 18:1</a>). This act of looking toward the sea is an expression of hope and expectation, rooted in the prophetic word.So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” The servant's report of seeing nothing underscores the testing of faith and patience. Despite Elijah's confidence in God's promise, the initial absence of any visible sign of rain challenges human perception and understanding. This moment parallels other biblical instances where faith is tested, such as Abraham waiting for the promised son (<a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2-6</a>) or the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit (<a href="/acts/1-4.htm">Acts 1:4-5</a>). The servant's report highlights the tension between divine promise and human experience, a common theme in the life of faith.Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The number seven in the Bible often signifies completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation week (<a href="/genesis/2-2.htm">Genesis 2:2-3</a>) and the seven churches in Revelation (<a href="/revelation/1-4.htm">Revelation 1:4</a>). Elijah's insistence on sending his servant back seven times indicates perseverance and unwavering faith in God's word. This persistence is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching on prayer, encouraging believers to pray without ceasing (<a href="/luke/18.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a>). Elijah's repeated command to "go back" reflects a deep trust in God's timing and serves as a model for believers to remain steadfast in prayer and faith, even when immediate results are not visible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God who played a significant role in demonstrating God's power over the false god Baal. He is central to the events of <a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">1 Kings 18</a>, where he challenges the prophets of Baal and prays for rain after a long drought. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elijah's_servant.htm">Elijah's Servant</a> An unnamed servant who assists Elijah. He is obedient to Elijah's instructions to repeatedly check for signs of rain. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mount_carmel.htm">Mount Carmel</a> The location where Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal and later prays for rain. It is a significant site for demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a> Refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which Elijah's servant is instructed to look toward for signs of rain. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_drought.htm">The Drought</a> A severe drought that had afflicted Israel as a consequence of the people's idolatry and disobedience to God. Elijah's prayer for rain marks the end of this drought.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/persistence_in_prayer.htm">Persistence in Prayer</a> Elijah's repeated instruction to his servant to "Go back" underscores the importance of persistence in prayer. We are encouraged to continue seeking God even when immediate results are not visible. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a> Elijah's actions demonstrate unwavering faith in God's promise to send rain. Believers are called to trust in God's faithfulness and timing, even when circumstances seem unchanged. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_service.htm">Obedience and Service</a> The servant's obedience to Elijah's repeated instructions is a model of faithful service. We are reminded to serve diligently and trust in God's greater plan. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vision.htm">Spiritual Vision</a> The servant initially sees "nothing," but Elijah's faith perceives God's impending action. We are challenged to develop spiritual vision, seeing beyond the physical to recognize God's work. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The eventual rain after Elijah's prayer illustrates God's control over nature and His ability to fulfill His promises. This reassures us of God's sovereignty in our lives.<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_daniel_3_compare_to_other_trials.htm">How does the dramatic rescue in Daniel 3 align with other biblical narratives where faithful individuals still suffer or are not saved miraculously?</a> <a href="/q/can_miracles_exist_if_they_defy_nature.htm">How can miracles be real if they defy natural laws?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_faith_comfort_in_sadness.htm">How does God comfort the lonely?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(43) Go again seven times.--From this delay of the answer to prayer Elijah's example became proverbial for intensity and perseverance in supplication (<a href="/james/5-17.htm" title="Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.">James 5:17</a>). The contrast is remarkable between the immediate answer to his earlier prayer (see <a href="/context/1_kings/18-36.htm" title="And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.">1Kings 18:36-37</a>) and the long delay here. The one was for the sake of the people; the other for some lesson--perhaps of humility and patience--to Elijah himself. When the answer does come, it fulfils itself speedily. The "little cloud" becomes all but immediately (for so "in the mean while" should be rendered) a storm blackening the whole heavens, borne by a hurricane from the west.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 43. - And said to his servant [of whom we now hear for the first time. It is an old tradition that this was none other than the son of the Sareptan, who was afterwards known as the prophet Jonah (Jerome, Praef. in Jonam). See note on 1 Kings 17:24], Go up now, look toward [Heb. the way of] the sea. [It is a striking confirmation of the theory which identifies El Murahkah with the scene of Elijah's sacrifice that the sea, though not visible from the plateau itself, is from the crest of the hill, a few feet higher. Van de Velde writes, "On its west and northwest sides the view of the sea is quite intercepted by an adjacent height. That height may be ascended, however, in a few minutes and a full view of the sea obtained from the top." Similarly the latest authority, Mr. Condor: "The peak is a semi-isolated knoll with a cliff some forty feet high, looking southeast .... The sea is invisible, except from the summit, and thus it was only by climbing to the top of Carmel, from the plateau where the altar may have stood, that the prophet's servant could have seen the little cloud," etc.] And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. [Cf. <a href="/joshua/6-15.htm">Joshua 6:15-20</a>; <a href="/2_kings/5-14.htm">2 Kings 5:14</a>; <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-164.htm">Psalm 119:164</a>. The idea here is that of sufficiency, of completion, rather than, as elsewhere, of covenant. And yet it must be remembered that Elijah was only praying for what God had already promised to grant (ver. 1). This earnest prayer for rain under these circumstances suggests that the former prayer "that it might not rain" (<a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17</a>) had also been inspired of God. But it is worth considering whether Elijah's attitude was not one of reverent and assured expectation, as much as of prayer. When Rawlinson says that "the faithfulness and patience shown [by the servant] in executing this order without a murmur, imply devotedness of no common kind," he surely forgets that the drought had lasted for three years and a half, and that the servant had that day seen the fires of God descend at Elijah's prayer. It is inconceivable, under such circumstances, that any man could murmur.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/18-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Go עֲלֵֽה־ (‘ă·lêh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively and look הַבֵּ֣ט (hab·bêṭ) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5027.htm">Strong's 5027: </a> To scan, look intently at, to regard toward דֶּֽרֶךְ־ (de·reḵ-) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action the sea,” יָ֔ם (yām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin he said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (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 to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to his servant. נַעֲר֗וֹ (na·‘ă·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer So [the servant] went וַיַּ֙עַל֙ (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively and looked, וַיַּבֵּ֔ט (way·yab·bêṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5027.htm">Strong's 5027: </a> To scan, look intently at, to regard and he said, וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (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 “[There is] nothing there.” אֵ֣ין (’ên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle Seven שֶׁ֥בַע (še·ḇa‘) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number times פְּעָמִֽים׃ (pə·‘ā·mîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence Elijah said, וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (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 “Go back.” שֻׁ֖ב (šuḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/18-43.htm">1 Kings 18:43 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-43.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 18:43 He said to his servant Go up (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/18-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 18:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/18-44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 18:44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:44" /></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>