God's Response to Elijah and New Commissions
1 Kings 19:10-18
1 K.19.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קנא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- קנאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בריתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבחתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- הרסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- נביאיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- הרגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואותר: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- ויבקשו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- לקחתה: VERB,qal,inf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Romans 11:3 (quotation): Paul quotes Elijah's words nearly verbatim ('They have killed thy prophets, and digged down thy altars; and I am left alone…') to introduce Israel's unbelief.
- 1 Kings 19:14 (verbal): Elijah repeats the same complaint to God ('I have been very jealous for the LORD… I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life'), a close verbal parallel within the narrative.
- Matthew 23:29-37 (thematic): Jesus accuses Israel's leaders of persecuting and killing the prophets and laments that pattern of rejecting God's messengers—echoing Elijah's charge that prophets were slain.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (thematic): The murder of the prophet Zechariah by the people of Judah is an example of Israel killing a prophet, paralleling Elijah's claim that 'they have slain thy prophets.'
Alternative generated candidates
- I have been zealous—zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.
- I have been zealous, zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it.
1 K.19.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- צא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ועמדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וחזק: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מפרק: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
- הרים: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ומשבר: CONJ+VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
- סלעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ברוח: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואחר: CONJ
- הרוח: NOUN,f,sg,def
- רעש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ברעש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 19:16-19 (structural): Sinai theophany: mountain before Yahweh with thunder, lightning, trumpet blast and smoke—another mountain manifestation where divine presence is accompanied by violent phenomena, providing a clear intertextual context for Elijah’s experience.
- Psalm 29:3-9 (verbal): Refrain 'the voice of the LORD' over the waters/cedars and causing thunder, flashes of fire and earthquakes parallels the catalogue of wind, earthquake and fire in 1 Kgs 19 and highlights the LORD’s revelation through powerful natural forces.
- Psalm 18:7-16 (2 Sam 22:7-16) (thematic): A theophany describing earth shaking, smoke, fire, and the LORD’s coming with tempestuous forces—shares language and imagery of divine action by wind, earthquake and fire surrounding God’s appearance.
- Habakkuk 3:3-6 (thematic): A visionary theophany in which God comes from Teman with earthquake, mountains trembling, and plagues—echoes the cosmic, seismic imagery used to portray divine presence in Elijah’s mountain scene.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by. A great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.
- The LORD said to him, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by. A great and mighty wind that tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD — yet the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake — yet the LORD was not in the earthquake.
1 K.19.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחר: CONJ
- הרעש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואחר: CONJ
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דממה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 19:16-19 (allusion): Sinai theophany with earthquake, thunder, fire and smoke—1 Kings 19 contrasts the same cosmic phenomena with God’s presence, implying an intentional echo of Moses’ encounter at Horeb/Sinai.
- Psalm 29:3-9 (thematic): Describes the 'voice of the LORD' in storms, thunder and fire; parallels the motif of divine voice amid powerful natural phenomena and sets up the contrast with the 'still small voice'.
- Psalm 46:10 (thematic): “Be still, and know that I am God”—emphasizes quietness/ceasing as the setting for encountering God, resonant with the 'demāmâh daqâh' (still small voice) of 1 Kings 19:12.
- Habakkuk 2:20 (verbal): “But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” — links divine presence with silence and the call for the earth to keep still before God, echoing the motif of a quiet revelation.
- Isaiah 30:15 (thematic): “In returning and rest... in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” — presents quietness/rest as the locus of salvation and strength, thematically related to encountering God in a gentle, silent word rather than in upheaval.
Alternative generated candidates
- After the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of thin stillness.
- And after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness.
1 K.19.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וילט: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- באדרתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff:3,m
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- פה: ADV
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.3:4-6 (verbal): God calls Moses from the burning bush; Moses hides his face and the voice addresses him by name—parallel motifs of divine address and the human covering of the face in the presence of God.
- Exod.33:20-23 (thematic): Moses is told no one may see God's face and hides in the cleft of the rock—echoes the motif of a prophet shielding his face before a divine manifestation.
- 1 Sam.3:4-10 (structural): The LORD calls the young Samuel repeatedly until Samuel recognizes and answers—parallels the form of divine calling a prophet and the prophetic response.
- Isa.6:5-8 (thematic): Isaiah's visionary encounter produces awe and a commission ('Whom shall I send?'); thematically parallels Elijah's encounter with a divine voice that confronts and reorients the prophet.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
- When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood at the mouth of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
1 K.19.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קנא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- קנאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בריתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבחתיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PS:2,m,sg
- הרסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- נביאיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PS:2,m,sg
- הרגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואותר: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- ויבקשו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- לקחתה: VERB,qal,inf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 19:10 (verbal): Essentially the same complaint earlier in the narrative — Elijah declares his zeal for the LORD and laments that Israel has forsaken the covenant, destroyed altars, slain prophets, and that he alone remains and is sought.
- Rom 11:2-4 (quotation): Paul cites Elijah's complaint and God's reply (the remnant of 7,000) as an Old Testament example when discussing God’s preservation of a faithful remnant.
- 1 Kgs 18:4 (thematic): Background detail about Jezebel cutting off the prophets of the LORD explains the historical context for Elijah’s claim that Israel’s prophets have been killed.
- 1 Kgs 19:18 (structural): The immediate divine response to Elijah’s lament: God reveals that He has preserved a remnant of 7,000 in Israel, directly answering Elijah’s ‘I alone am left’ complaint.
Alternative generated candidates
- He answered, “I have been zealous—zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.”
- He answered, "I have been zealous, zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it."
1 K.19.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שוב: ADV
- לדרכך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מדברה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דמשק: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ובאת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ומשחת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 19:16 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same prophetic commission — God also instructs Elijah to anoint Jehu as king of Israel and Elisha as prophet, part of the same sequence of successor appointments.
- 2 Kgs 8:7-15 (quotation): Narrative recapitulation of Elisha’s encounter with Hazael and the rise of Hazael to the Aramean throne; parallels the instruction in 1 Kgs 19:15 and reports its fulfillment.
- 2 Kgs 9:1-10 (structural): Account of Jehu’s anointing as king of Israel by a prophet sent by Elisha — the fulfillment of the commissioning mentioned in 1 Kgs 19:15–16.
- 1 Sam 16:13 (thematic): Samuel’s prophetic anointing of David as king — shares the broader motif of prophetic anointing/installation of rulers by God’s prophet.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Aram.
- The LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Aram.
1 K.19.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נמשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמשח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפט: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מאבל: PREP
- מחולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תמשח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לנביא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחתיך: PREP,suff-2ms
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 19:19-21 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment in the same episode: Elijah calls Elisha and effectively designates him as his successor (Elisha takes Elijah's mantle and follows him).
- 2 Kgs 9:1-13 (structural): Fulfillment of the command to anoint Jehu as king: a prophet (sent by Elisha) anoints Jehu at God’s instigation, bringing about the royal succession promised in 1 Kgs 19:16.
- 2 Kgs 2:9-15 (structural): Elisha’s reception of Elijah’s mantle and spirit—narrative parallel showing the prophetic succession and transfer of authority promised in 1 Kgs 19:16 (Elisha replacing Elijah).
- Num 27:18-23 (thematic): God’s appointment of Joshua as Moses’ successor through a prophetic, ceremonial commission (laying on of hands) — a parallel pattern of divine designation of a successor leader.
- 1 Sam 16:1-13 (thematic): Samuel anoints David as king at God’s direction: parallels the motif of a prophet anointing a divinely chosen successor (anointing as legitimating ceremony).
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel‑meholah to be prophet in your place.
- And Jehu son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
1 K.19.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- הנמלט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מחרב: PREP
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והנמלט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מחרב: PREP
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ימית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 19:15-16 (structural): Immediate context of the prophecy: God commissions Elijah to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha—verse 17 is the continuing clause predicting the sequence of killings.
- 2 Kings 9:1-10 (allusion): Narrative fulfillment: Jehu is anointed and subsequently slays the house of Ahab, fulfilling the prediction that ‘him that escapes the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay.’
- 2 Kings 8:7-15 (allusion): Elisha’s oracle to Hazael and the account of Hazael’s rise to power and violent deeds (including Ben‑Hadad’s death) correspond to the prediction that Hazael would be king over Aram and bring deadly violence.
- 2 Kings 2:9-15 (thematic): Elisha’s succession to Elijah (receiving the prophetic mantle and authority) connects to the role assigned him in 1 Kgs 19:17 — the prophetic succession and enacted judgments following Elijah’s commission.
Alternative generated candidates
- The one who escapes the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.
- And it shall be: whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death.
1 K.19.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והשארתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כל: DET
- הברכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- כרעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- נשק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Romans 11:4 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Elijah’s claim and God’s answer — ‘seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal’ — echoing 1 Kgs 19:18 as a direct scriptural reference.
- 1 Kings 19:10 (structural): Elijah’s complaint in v.10 that ‘I, even I only, am left’ is directly answered by v.18’s report that 7,000 have not worshiped Baal; the two verses form a contextual contrast.
- 1 Kings 18:21 (thematic): Elijah’s challenge to Israel — ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? … if Baal is God, follow him’ — addresses the same crisis of Baal-worship that 19:18 responds to.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Describes Israel’s recurring apostasy in serving the Baals, providing a broader historical and theological backdrop to the situation 1 Kgs 19:18 confronts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet I will leave in Israel seven thousand—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
- Yet I will leave in Israel seven thousand—every knee that has not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
I have been zealous—zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by. A great and strong wind tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD—yet the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake—yet the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire—yet the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness.
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He answered, “I have been zealous—zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.”
The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Aram. And you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place.
It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will put to death; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will put to death.
Yet I will leave in Israel seven thousand—every knee that has not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.