1 Kings 18:36
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 thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּֽעֲל֣וֹת
And it came to pass at the time of the offering
H5927
בַּֽעֲל֣וֹת
And it came to pass at the time of the offering
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה
of the evening sacrifice
H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֗ה
of the evening sacrifice
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
3 of 26
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ
came near
H5066
וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ
came near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
4 of 26
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
אֵֽלִיָּ֣הוּ
that Elijah
H452
אֵֽלִיָּ֣הוּ
that Elijah
Strong's:
H452
Word #:
5 of 26
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
יְהוָ֗ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 26
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
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and of Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיּ֣וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יִוָּדַ֗ע
let it be known
H3045
יִוָּדַ֗ע
let it be known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 26
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 26
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
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and of Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these things at thy word
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these things at thy word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
21 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עָשִׂ֔יתִי
and that I have done
H6213
עָשִׂ֔יתִי
and that I have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
22 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
1 Kings 18:29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.Exodus 3:6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.2 Kings 19:19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.1 Kings 8:43Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.Psalms 83:18That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.Ephesians 3:14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,Matthew 22:32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.Acts 3:1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:John 11:42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
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?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
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 prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).
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.