1 Kings Chapter 18 · Verse 28
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙
And they cried
H7121
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙
And they cried
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
גָּד֔וֹל
H1419
וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙
and cut
H1413
וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙
and cut
Strong's:
H1413
Word #:
4 of 11
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם
themselves after their manner
H4941
כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם
themselves after their manner
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
בַּֽחֲרָב֖וֹת
with knives
H2719
בַּֽחֲרָב֖וֹת
with knives
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
6 of 11
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וּבָֽרְמָחִ֑ים
and lancets
H7420
וּבָֽרְמָחִ֑ים
and lancets
Strong's:
H7420
Word #:
7 of 11
a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שְׁפָךְ
gushed out
H8210
שְׁפָךְ
gushed out
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
9 of 11
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
Cross References
Leviticus 19:28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.Deuteronomy 14:1Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.Mark 5:5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.Mark 9:22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.Micah 6:7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
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
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
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.