1-Kings - 18:22



22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal's prophets are four hundred fifty men.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 1-Kings 18:22.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
And Elias said again to the people: I only remain a prophet of the Lord: but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men.
And Elijah said to the people, I, only I, remain a prophet of Jehovah; and Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
And Elijah saith unto the people, 'I, I have been left a prophet of Jehovah, by myself; and the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men;
Then Elijah said to the people, I, even I, am the only living prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
Then Elijah said to the people, 'I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of Asherah four hundred.
And Elijah said again to the people: "I alone remain as a prophet of the Lord. But the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

I, even I, only remain - He means, "I only remain in the exercise of the office of a prophet." The others (Compare 1-Kings 18:4) had been forced to fly and hide themselves in dens and caves of the earth; their voices were silenced; they had not ventured to come to Carmel. Elijah contrasts his solitary appearance on the side of Yahweh at the great gathering with the crowd of those opposed to him.

I only, remain a prophet of the Lord - That is, I am the only prophet of God present, and can have but the influence of an individual; while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men! It appears that the queen's prophets, amounting to four hundred, were not at this great assembly; and these are they whom we meet with 1-Kings 22:6, and whom the king consulted relative to the battle at Ramoth-gilead.

Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only remain a prophet of the Lord,.... At least as he thought, all the rest being slain, as he supposed; however there were none present but himself:
but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men; which were very great odds he had to contend with.

I only - Here present, to own the cause of God. As far the other prophets of the Lord, many of them were slain, others banished, or hid in caves.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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