1 Kings 18:24

Authorized King James Version

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And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

Original Language Analysis

אֶקְרָ֣א And call H7121
אֶקְרָ֣א And call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 1 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בְשֵׁם on the ~ H8034
בְשֵׁם on the ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 2 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַֽאֲנִי֙ H589
וַֽאֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 4 of 20
i
אֶקְרָ֣א And call H7121
אֶקְרָ֣א And call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 5 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בְשֵׁם on the ~ H8034
בְשֵׁם on the ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 6 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהָיָ֧ה H1961
וְהָיָ֧ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיַּ֧עַן answered H6030
וַיַּ֧עַן answered
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
בָאֵ֖שׁ by fire H784
בָאֵ֖שׁ by fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 12 of 20
fire (literally or figuratively)
ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים and the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיַּ֧עַן answered H6030
וַיַּ֧עַן answered
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם And all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 17 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said H559
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 18 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
ט֥וֹב It is well H2896
ט֥וֹב It is well
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 19 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
הַדָּבָֽר׃ spoken H1697
הַדָּבָֽר׃ spoken
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 20 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Analysis & Commentary

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the prophets of baal, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Questions for Reflection

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