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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they cried out with a loud voice, and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they cried with a loud voice and gashed themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they cried out with a loud voice [to get Baal’s attention] and cut themselves with swords and lances in accordance with their custom, until the blood flowed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So they shouted louder. They also cut themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed. (This is what their ritual called for.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So the prophets prayed louder and cut themselves with knives and daggers, according to their ritual, until blood flowed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the prophets of Baal cried even louder and slashed themselves with swords and lances until their blood gushed out all over them, as was their custom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So they yelled louder and, in accordance with their prescribed ritual, mutilated themselves with swords and spears until their bodies were covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with swords and spears, until the blood gushed out on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They cried aloud, and cut themselves in their way with knives and lances until the blood gushed out on them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they call with a loud voice, and cut themselves, according to their ordinance, with swords and with spears, until a flowing of blood [is] on them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they call with a loud voice, and cut themselves, according to their ordinance, with swords and with spears, till a flowing of blood is on them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will call with a great voice, and they will cut themselves according to their judgment, with swords and with spears, even to the pouring out of blood upon them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So they cried with a loud voice, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till they were all covered with blood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then they cried out with a loud voice, and they cut themselves, in accord with their ritual, with knives and lancets, until they were entirely covered in blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears according to their ritual until blood gushed over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they cried with a loud voice and they cut themselves after their custom with daggers and lances, until their blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they called in a loud voice, and they fought, according to their custom, with swords and with lances, until their blood poured out upon them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with swords and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they cried with a loud voice, and cut themselves according to their custom with knives and lancets until the blood gushed out upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/18-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=7253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/18.htm">Elijah on Mount Carmel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">So they shouted louder</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·wl (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1413.htm" title="1413: way·yiṯ·gō·ḏə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To penetrate, cut. A primitive root; to crowd; also to gash.">and cut</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ba·ḥă·rā·ḇō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">themselves with knives</a> <a href="/hebrew/7420.htm" title="7420: ū·ḇā·rə·mā·ḥîm (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A spear, lance. From an unused root meaning to hurl; a lance; especially the iron point.">and lances,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: kə·miš·pā·ṭām (Prep-k:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Judgment. ">as was their custom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dām (N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">the blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: šə·p̄āḵ- (V-Qal-Inf) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">gushed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Leviticus 19:28</a></span><br />You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1</a></span><br />You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-37.htm">Jeremiah 48:37</a></span><br />For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-5.htm">Mark 5:5</a></span><br />Night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he kept crying out and cutting himself with stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/5-30.htm">Judges 5:30</a></span><br />‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a></span><br />He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-14.htm">Hosea 7:14</a></span><br />They do not cry out to Me from their hearts when they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a></span><br />And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-34.htm">Acts 19:34</a></span><br />But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm">2 Kings 1:2-3</a></span><br />Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.” / But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">2 Kings 3:27</a></span><br />So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. And there was great fury against the Israelites, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a></span><br />He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37-38</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">Ezekiel 8:14</a></span><br />Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Micah 5:12</a></span><br />I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out on them.</p><p class="hdg">cut themselves</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Leviticus 19:28</a></b></br> Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1</a></b></br> Ye <i>are</i> the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7</a></b></br> Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, <i>or</i> with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn <i>for</i> my transgression, the fruit of my body <i>for</i> the sin of my soul?</p><p class="hdg">the blood gushed out upon them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-19.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-21.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-15.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Custom</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-23.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-16.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Gushed</a> <a href="/joshua/5-3.htm">Knives</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm">Louder</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-37.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-28.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-39.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-37.htm">Slashed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">Spears</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Streaming</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-13.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-23.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-7.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/15-16.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-39.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-28.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-14.htm">Custom</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-33.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">Flowing</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Gushed</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-13.htm">Knives</a> <a href="/matthew/20-31.htm">Louder</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-13.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-11.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-37.htm">Slashed</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-10.htm">Spears</a> <a href="/psalms/68-8.htm">Streaming</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-12.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-29.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-43.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/18-1.htm">In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/18-9.htm">Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/18-17.htm">Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/18-41.htm">Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>So they shouted louder</b><br>This phrase refers to the prophets of Baal, who were attempting to invoke their god to send fire upon their sacrifice. The shouting indicates their desperation and fervor, as they believed that increased volume and intensity might gain Baal's attention. This reflects the practices of pagan worship, where emotional and physical displays were thought to appease or manipulate deities. In contrast, the God of Israel is depicted as one who hears the prayers of His people without the need for such displays (<a href="/1_kings/18-24.htm">1 Kings 18:24, 36</a>-37).<p><b>and cut themselves with knives and lances</b><br>Self-mutilation was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, intended to demonstrate devotion or to provoke a response from the gods. This act of cutting was a ritualistic expression of extreme piety and desperation. The use of knives and lances suggests a violent and chaotic scene, highlighting the futility and despair of idol worship. <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Leviticus 19:28</a> explicitly forbids such practices among the Israelites, emphasizing the distinctiveness of their worship and the sanctity of the human body.<p><b>as was their custom</b><br>The phrase indicates that this was not a spontaneous act but a regular part of Baal worship. It underscores the entrenched nature of these practices within the religious culture of the time. This custom contrasts sharply with the worship of Yahweh, which was based on obedience and faith rather than physical harm or spectacle. The prophets' adherence to such customs reveals the depth of their spiritual blindness and the power of cultural traditions over truth.<p><b>until the blood gushed over them</b><br>The vivid imagery of blood gushing underscores the extreme measures taken by the prophets of Baal. Bloodletting was believed to be a powerful means of gaining divine favor, yet it also symbolizes the life force being drained away, pointing to the ultimate powerlessness of their gods. This scene foreshadows the sacrificial system in Israel, where blood was central but was offered in a controlled, God-ordained manner, ultimately pointing to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed once for all (<a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12-14</a>). The futility of the prophets' actions contrasts with the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice, which brings true atonement and reconciliation with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a></b><br>A prophet of the Lord who challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the true God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophets_of_baal.htm">Prophets of Baal</a></b><br>Pagan prophets who worshiped Baal, a Canaanite deity, and participated in rituals to invoke their god's power.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_carmel.htm">Mount Carmel</a></b><br>The location of the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/baal.htm">Baal</a></b><br>A Canaanite god associated with fertility and weather, often worshiped by the Israelites during times of apostasy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation witnessing the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, representing a people torn between worshiping Yahweh and Baal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>The prophets of Baal demonstrate the emptiness of worshiping false gods. Idolatry leads to destructive practices and ultimately fails to deliver.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_true_worship.htm">The Power of True Worship</a></b><br>In contrast to the prophets of Baal, Elijah's simple prayer to the true God results in a powerful demonstration of divine power. True worship is effective and life-giving.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_syncretism.htm">The Danger of Syncretism</a></b><br>The Israelites' wavering between Yahweh and Baal serves as a warning against mixing true faith with pagan practices. Believers are called to exclusive devotion to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_desperation.htm">The Cost of Desperation</a></b><br>The extreme measures taken by the prophets of Baal reflect the desperation that comes from relying on false gods. Trusting in God brings peace and assurance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_stand_firm.htm">The Call to Stand Firm</a></b><br>Elijah's boldness in confronting the prophets of Baal encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, even when surrounded by opposition.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_self-harm.htm">What does the Bible say about self-harm?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_body_modification.htm">What does the Bible say about body modification?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_chemarim_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Chemarim in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_samuel's_reappearance_explained.htm">How does the narrative explain Samuel's apparent reappearance if 1 Samuel 28:14-20 implies he was genuinely summoned from the dead?</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>(28) <span class= "bld">Lancets</span>--should be <span class= "ital">lances. </span>This self-mutilation, common in Oriental frenzy, was possibly a portion, or a survival, of human sacrifice, in the notion that self-torture and shedding of human blood must win Divine favour--a delusion not confined to heathen religions, though excusable only in them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they cried aloud</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">in a great voice</span>, as above. It was not that they took Elijah's words <span class="accented">au serieux</span>, but his scorn led them to redouble their efforts, if only to testify their faith in their god. The frantic cries of the Greek Easter (see Porter, 1:168; Conder, 176-178) in Jerusalem, the prayers of the pilgrims for the descent of the holy fire, may help us to realize the scene here described], <span class="cmt_word">and cut themselves</span> [cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/16-6.htm">Jeremiah 16:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Jeremiah 41:5</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/47-5.htm">Jeremiah 47:5</a>] <span class="cmt_word">after their manner</span> [Keil quotes from Movers, Phoniz. 1. pp. 682-83, a description of the religious dances offered to the <span class="accented">Dea Syria</span>. "A discordant howling opens the scene. Then they rush wildly about in perfect confusion, with their heads bowed down to the ground, but always revolving in circles, so that the loosened hair drags through the mire; then they begin to bite their arms, and end with cutting themselves with the two-edged swords which they are in the habit of carrying. A new scene then opens. One of them, who surpasses all the rest in frenzy, begins to prophesy with sighs and groans," etc. In the "Contemporary Review," vol. 27, pp. 371 sqq., Bishop Caldwell has graphically described the devil dances of Southern India - a description which may be read with profit in this connexion. One sentence may be transcribed here: "He cuts and hacks and hews himself, and not unfrequently kills himself there and then." Kitto mentions "the furious gashes which the Persians inflict upon themselves in their frantic annual lamentation for Hossein." Rawlinson says this was also common among the Carians and Phrygians] <span class="cmt_word">with knives</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">swords</span>] <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>and lancets</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">lances, spears</span>. The A.V. is misleading. The instruments they used were weapons of heavy-armed troops. For <span class="hebrew">רְמָחִים</span>, see <a href="/numbers/25-7.htm">Numbers 25:7</a>; <a href="/judges/5-8.htm">Judges 5:8</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/46-4.htm">Jeremiah 46:4</a>], <span class="cmt_word">till the blood gushed out upon them.</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">until the shedding of blood upon them</span>. It is perfectly clear that their faith in Baal was sincere and profound. Making due allowance for the fact that they were under the eyes of their king and patron, and of representatives of the entire people, it is still impossible to doubt their sincerity. Some of them, it is probable, were Phoenicians. "Of one thing I am assured - the devil dancer never shams excitement" (Caldwell).] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/18-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So they shouted louder</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and cut</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·gō·ḏə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1413.htm">Strong's 1413: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crowd, to gash</span><br /><br /><span class="word">themselves with knives</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֲרָב֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥă·rā·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lances,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָֽרְמָחִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·rə·mā·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7420.htm">Strong's 7420: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lance, the iron point</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as [was] their custom,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·miš·pā·ṭām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">until</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the blood</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gushed out</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁפָךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·p̄āḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon them.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/18-28.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 18:28 They cried aloud and cut themselves after (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 18:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/18-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 18:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 18:29" /></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>