The prophet Elijah was an interesting man. His names means, “Whose Elohim is Yahweh”. This is a pretty important name for someone that people thought was a nomadic sheepherder. He seems to show up in Ahab’s business from out of nowhere. Elijah was from the northern kingdom, the ten tribes. His family seems to have come from Tishbe, upper Galilee, in Naphtali. Yet he was in Theshbon, or Heshbon. Heshbon was a town or region that borders the tribes of Gad and Ruben and was given to the Levites. It was known as the “city of priests”. Elijah also had some unique characteristics so when people saw him they asked him if he was Elijah because they had heard about him. It seems that his reputation preceded him. Elijah may have been a Nazarene and a Zadok/Zedek priest. Elijah told Ahab that it would not rain until he, Elijah, said so. Ahab hunted for Elijah and Jezebel killed the prophets. People seem to have known about a prophecy given to Elijah regarding his being transported. Elijah has some harsh words for the people of Israel. He tells them that they are lame or hamstrung and that they need to make a decision on who they should serve. Let’s explore.
Josephus Antiquities 8:13:2
2. (319) There was now a prophet of God Almighty, of Thesbon, a country in Gilead, that came to Ahab, and said to him, that God foretold he would not send rain nor dew in those years upon the country but when he should appear. And when he had confirmed this by an oath, he departed into the southern parts, and made his abode by a brook, out of which he had water to drink; for as for his food, ravens brought it to him every day;
Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (p. 236). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Notice how the Septuagint reads. This is what Jeremiah recorded.
1 Kings 17: 1 G2532 And G2036 [4said G* 1Elijah G3588 2the G* 3Tishbite], G3588 the one G1537 from G* Tishbon G3588 G* of Gilead,
“And said Elijah the Tishbite from out of Tishbon, the Gilead…”
If we remember our history, the Levites were to live in every tribe and not have their own land. Epiphanius believed that Elijah was "of the tribe of Aaron," and “grandson of Zadok”. If Elijah was a descendent of Aaron and a grandson of Zadok then he would have served as a Zadok/Zedek priest somewhere, perhaps in Heshbon the city of priests. Remember that David merged the Zadok/Zedek priests with the Levitical priests so that they served side by side in the tabernacle and then in the temple. The Zedeks were of the Melchizedek order, or of the school of Shem in Jerusalem. The Zadok/Zedek priests kept the order of Shem and Eber, living in Gibeon and Jebus. As we know, the Levites lived among every tribe, but we saw a few weeks ago that the altars had been destroyed. There was very little priestly service in Israel at this time.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/04/elijah-yahweh-passes-by-jehu-hazael.html
Moses’ grandson Jonathan, son of Gershom, was a Levite who was already traveling and hired to worship alongside idols in Micah’s house, Judges 18 (Sept)(The Masoretic text attempts to hide the fact that this Levite was Moses’ grandson). We may also remember the story of the Levite who was traveling with his wife (Judges 19), who when he traveled through Benjamin on his way to Mount Ephraim the men of Benjamin wanted to rape him. The Levites lived in every tribe and this man was a Levite from Ephraim. Therefore it is not unusual for people who were Levites or Zadok/Zedek priests to live among all the tribes in Israel. They did not all live and dwell in Judah or Jerusalem only.
By Elijah’s generation the Levitical priesthood performed service in Judah while the service of other Levites and Zadok/Zedek priests had diminished among the other tribes. It is possible that what we are seeing here is that Elijah’s family were Levitical and Zadok priests living in upper Galilee, but perhaps there was no priestly services in Naphtali at this time. There had been altars in every tribal region until Elijah’s time as he mentions to Yahweh that they destroyed all the altars. Elijah had been in Heshbon, the city of priests. It seems that the tribes of Gad and Ruben merged their efforts to support the priests. "From out of Heshbon” means that he served his priestly service in Heshbon. He came out of Heshbon to Samaria. He is called “The Gilead”. But Elijah wasn’t in Gilead when speaking to Ahab, Ahab was in Samaria. Elijah went to Gilead after speaking to Ahab.
1 Kings 17:1...G4314 to G* Ahab, G2198 As the lord lives, G2962 G3588 the G2316 God G* of Israel, G3739 in whom G3936 I stand G1799 before G1473 him, G1487 Shall G1510.8.3 there be G3588 G2094 these years G3778 G1408.1 dew G2532 and G5205 rain, no, G3754 but G1508 unless G1223 it be through G3056 the word G4750 of my mouth.
2 G2532 And G1096 came to pass G4487 the saying G2962 of the lord G4314 to G* Elijah.
3 G4198 Go G1782 from here G2596 according to G395 the east, G2532 and G2928 hide G1722 at G3588 the G5493 rushing stream G* Cherith, G3588 to the one G1909 upon G4383 the face G3588 of the G* Jordan!
Elijah is told to go eastward to Cherith, this in Gilead. This may be why Jeremiah (when recording 1 & 2 Kings) mentions that Elijah is from Gilead. He is hiding in Gilead for quite a while, drinking water from the ravines and being fed by crows. He may have been there for a year or so. He is very dependent on Yahweh to take care of him.
1 Kings 17:4 G2532 And G1510.8.3 it will be G1537 from out of G3588 the G5493 rushing stream G4095 you shall drink G5204 water, G2532 and G3588 to the G2876 crows G1781 I shall give charge G3588 G1303.5 to nourish G1473 you G1563 there.
5 G2532 And G4198 [2went G2532 3and G4160 4did G* 1Elijah] G2596 according to G3588 the G4487 saying G2962 of the lord . G2532 And G2523 he settled G1722 by G3588 the G5493 rushing stream G* Cherith G1909 upon G4383 the face G3588 of the G* Jordan.
This area of Cherith is a place of many ravines containing water which flow into many streams from the mountains into the Jordan. Again, Elijah was in the ravines of Gilead. He could easily hide there. He probably did not leave the ravines as the crows dropped food down to him.
1 Kings 17:6 G2532 And G3588 the G2876 crows G5342 brought G1473 to him G740 bread loaves G2532 and G2907 meat G4404 in the morning, G2532 and G740 bread loaves G2532 and G2907 meat G3588 in the G1166.2 afternoon. G2532 And G1537 from out of G3588 the G5493 rushing stream G4095 he drank G5204 water.
7 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G3326 after G2250 many days, G2532 that G3583 [3dried up G3588 1the G5493 2rushing stream], G3754 for G3756 there was no G1096 G5205 rain G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
This is somewhat odd or unconventional as crows/ravens are an unclean bird. Yet Elijah was not eating the crows, they were dropping food to him. Remembering the letter of Aristeas, he explained that the laws were not about the animals themselves being clean or unclean, but that their behaviors were clean or unclean. People understood that crows are scavengers who eat other birds. The behavior was unclean. Yet the bird itself was not unclean. Yahweh directed unclean birds to bring Elijah food. These birds hunted and stole food. It was not unclean for Elijah the Zadok/Zedek Nazarite to eat the food they brought to him, especially because this was Yahweh’s plan. After the water dries up then Elijah is told to go to Sarepta, a place in Sidon, the area where Jezebel is from.
1 Kings 17:8 G2532 And G1096 [3came to pass G4487 1 the word G2962 2 of the lord] G4314 to G* Elijah, G3004 saying,
9 G450 Rise up, G2532 and G4198 go G1519 into G* Sarepta G3588 of the G* Sidonians! G2532 and G2730 you shall dwell G1563 there. G2400 Behold, G1781 I have given charge G1563 there G1135 [2woman G5503 1 for a widow] G3588 G1303.5 to nourish G1473 you.
10 G2532 And G450 he rose up G2532 and G4198 went G1519 into G* Sarepta. G2532 And G2064 he came G1519 unto G3588 the G4440 gate-house G3588 of the G4172 city. G2532 And G2400 behold, G1563 there G1135 [2woman G5503 1a widow] G4816 was collecting together G3586 wood. G2532 And G994 [2yelled out G3694 3after G1473 4her G* 1Elijah], G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to her, G2983 Take G1211 indeed G1473 for me G3641 a little G5204 water G1519 into G32.1 a container, G2532 and G4095 I shall drink.
Elijah yells to the widow woman and she gives him water. Elijah is still solely dependent on Yahweh for every aspect of his life. It seems that he stood out to this woman.
1 Kings 17:11 G2532 And G4198 she went G2983 to take, G2532 and G994 [2yelled out G3694 3after G1473 4her G* 1Elijah], G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to her, G2983 Give G1211 indeed G1473 to me G5596.1 the morsel G740 of bread G1722 in G3588 G5495 your hand, G1473 G2532 and G2068 I will eat.
12 G2532 And G2036 [3said G3588 1the G1135 2woman], G2198 As [3lives G2962 1 the lord G3588 G2316 2your God], G1473 G1487 If G1510.2.3 there is G1473 to me G1470.1 a cake baked in hot ashes -- good ? G237.1 but I have only G3745 as much as G1404.1 a handful G224 of flour G1722 in G3588 the G5201 pitcher, G2532 and G3641 a little G1637 olive oil G1722 in G3588 the G2578.2 jar. G2532 And G2400 behold, G1473 I G4816 shall collected together G1417 two G3584.2 sticks, G2532 and G1525 I shall enter G2532 and G4160 make G1473 it G1683 for myself G2532 and G3588 G5043 my children, G1473 G2532 and G2068 we shall eat G2532 and G599 die.
The word εγκρυφίας translates as “occult”, or "round cakes”. People made round cakes to offer to their gods, which is why it is thought of as an occultic practice. However, she is making round cakes for her family. She says “as Yahweh your Elohim lives whether is my round cakes but how much handful wheat in urn and small olive oil in the cup.” She and her children were going to eat and die off as this was all they had.
We do not know much about the widow woman who lived in Sarepta/Zarephath/Tsarpath. Jesus says something interesting here.
Luk 4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
Luk 4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
Luk 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
Luk 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
Luk 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Luk 4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
Luk 4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
The people hated the thought that one Sidonian widow was spared above all the others in Israel and that one Syrian was healed above all the others in Israel. Jesus is saying this because it is true, not everyone was helped by Yahweh, and not everyone was healed by Yahweh. The context that Jesus is relating here is that a prophet is not accepted in his own country. People were starving in the northern kingdom due to their idolatry. Only a widow in Sidon who was not a worshipper of Yahweh was fed. Yahweh wanted someone who would comply when he ordered the angels to reproduce wheat and oil. Think of Elijah’s prophecy to Ahab. The country turned away from Yahweh, many were worshipping Baal. Yahweh needed someone to help Elijah but it would not be someone from Israel. The widow woman says “as Yahweh your Elohim lives”, noting that Yahweh was not her Elohim. She knew that Elijah was a worshipper of Yahweh. How did she know? Elijah had long hair and he looked like a Nazarite.
2 Kings 1:7 G2532 And G2036 [3said G1473 4to them G3588 1the G935 2king], G5100 What G3588 was the G2920 distinguishing mark G3588 of the G435 man G3588 G305 ascending G1519 to G4877 meet G1473 you, G2532 and G2980 speaking G4314 to G1473 you G3588 G3056 these words? G3778
8 G2532 And G2036 they said G4314 to G1473 him, G435 [2man G1160.3 1 He was a hairy], G2532 and G2223 a belt G1193 made of skin G4024 was girded upon G3588 G3751 his loin. G1473 G2532 And G2036 he said, G* [2Elijah G3588 3the G* 4Tishbite G3778 1This is].
The king asks the servant what the krisis, judgment, of the anēr, man. The king asked the servant to judge the man. The man was δασύς, shaggy, or hairy as opposed to bald (Elisha was bald). He had a leather girdle around his loins. This is what Elijah put over his face when he met with Yahweh. The king knew from that description that he was Elijah the Tishbite. Elijah’s look was very distinctive. He may have looked like a Nazarite/Zadok/Zedek priest, all are of the same order. The hair of a Nazarite is his crown. It means that he is separated from people unto Yahweh. Hence Elijah’s name. Therefore Elijah may have also been a Nazarite.
Again Yahweh is providing for Elijah.
1 Kings 17:13 G2532 And G2036 [2said G4314 3to G1473 4her G* 1Elijah], G2293 Be of courage! G1525 enter G2532 and G4160 do G2596 according to G3588 G4487 your word! G1473 G235 But G4160 make G1473 for me G1564 from there G1470.1 [2cake baked in hot ashes G3397 1a small] G1722 at G4413 first, G2532 and G1627 bring it forth G1473 to me! G1438 and to yourself G1161 G4160 you shall make G2532 and G3588 to G5043 your children G1473 G1909 at G2078 last.
Elijah told her to have courage. This is a scary idea for a widow and her children facing starvation.
1 Kings 17:14 G3754 For G3592 thus G3004 says G2962 the lord G3588 G2316 God G* of Israel, G3588 The G5201 pitcher G3588 G224 of flour G3756 shall not G1587 fail, G2532 and G3588 the G2578.2 jar G3588 G1637 of olive oil G3756 shall not G1641 have less, G2193 until G2250 the days G3588 of the G1325 giving G3588 by the G2962 lord G3588 the G5205 rain G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
Yahweh Elohim of Israel said that the urn and the cup would not cease or lack until the day when Yahweh offers rain on the earth. If Elijah was in Cherith for nearly a year, then the time that he spent with the woman may have been over two and one half years.
1 Kings 17:15 G2532 And G4198 [3went G3588 1the G1135 2woman] G2532 and G4160 did G2596 according to G3588 the G4487 word G* of Elijah; G2532 and G1325 she gave G1473 to him, G2532 and G2068 he ate, G1473 G2532 and G1473 she, G2532 and G3588 G5043 her children. G1473
16 G2532 And G3588 the G5201 pitcher G3588 G224 of flour G3756 failed not, G1587 G2532 and G3588 the G2578.2 jar G3588 G1637 of olive oil G3756 had not less, G1641 G2596 according to G3588 the G4487 saying G2962 of the lord, G3739 which G2980 he spoke G1722 by G5495 the hand G* of Elijah.
The widow had food for herself, her children, and Elijah for at least two and one half years.
1 Kings 17:17 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G3326 after G3778 these things G2532 that G731.2 [9became ill G3588 1the G5207 2son G3588 3of the G1135 4woman G3588 5 who was the G2959 6lady G3588 7of the G3624 8house], G2532 and G1510.7.3 [3was G3588 G731.3 2illness G1473 1his] G2900 fortified G4970 very much, G2193 until G3739 G3756 there was not G5275 left behind G1722 in G1473 him G4151 a breath.
18 G2532 And G2036 she said G4314 to G* Elijah, G5100 What is it G1473 to me G2532 and G1473 to you, G444 O man G3588 G2316 of God, G1525 for you to enter G4314 to G1473 me, G3588 G363 to call to mind G3588 G93 my iniquities G1473 G2532 and G2289 to kill G3588 G5207 my son? G1473
The widows son got sick, he had a disease and died. The widow may have only had one son, but one or more daughters. The widow is accusing Elijah of coming to her house to remind God of her unrighteousness and to kill her son for her sins. We know that Yahweh gave orders for that widow to feed Elijah. Who was Yahweh giving orders to? His angels. The woman didn’t know Yahweh, she believed that Elijah’s God was punishing her for her sins. Elijah raises her dead son to life.
1 Kings 17:19 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G4314 to G3588 the G1135 woman, G1325 Give G1473 me G3588 G5207 your son! G1473 G2532 And G2983 he took G1473 him G1537 from out of G3588 G2859 her bosom, G1473 G2532 and G399 brought G1473 him G1519 into G3588 the G5253 upper room G1722 in G3739 which G1473 he G2521 settled G1563 there, G2532 and G2838.1 he rested G1473 him G1909 upon G3588 G2825 his bed. G1473
20 G2532 And G310 Elijah yelled out G* G4314 to G2962 the lord, G2532 and G2036 he said, G2962 O lord G3588 G2316 my God, G1473 G2532 also indeed G1065 G3588 the G5503 widow G3326 with G3739 whom G1473 I G2730 dwell G3326 with her, G1473 G1473 have you inflicted evil G2559 G3588 G2289 to kill G3588 G5207 her son? G1473
Elijah lives in an attic space. Elijah cried out to Yahweh saying “Yahweh my Elohim”. That’s Elijah’s name, “Whose Elohim is Yahweh”. Elijah asks if Yahweh is afflicting the widow by killing her son. This is what the widow seemed to believe.
1 Kings 17:21 G2532 And G1720 he breathed into G3588 the G3808 boy G5151 three times, G2532 and G1941 he called upon G3588 the G2962 lord, G2532 and G2036 he said, G2962 O lord G3588 G2316 my God, G1473 G1994 return G1211 indeed G3588 the G5590 life G3588 G3808 of this boy G3778 G1519 to G1473 him!
Elijah breathed into the boy, like CPR, three times and called on Yahweh to truly turn back his breath life. And Yahweh did. A Nazarite is not allowed to touch a dead body. But the body came to life. Was Elijah willing to break his vow to Yahweh?
Numbers 6:6 G3956 All G3588 the G2250 days G3588 of the G2171 vow G2962 to the lord G1909 [3unto G3956 4any G5590 5soul G5053 6coming to an end G3756 1he shall not G1525 2enter].
All the days of the vow to Yahweh a Nazarite “not go in on all breath life decease.” If anyone was to die suddenly around a Nazarite he was to shave his head, make an offering, and then burn his hair. In a perfect world Elijah would not have been in a survival situation, living in the attic of a widow with whom he was miraculously eating multiplied wheat and oil for over two years. He may have had to cleanse himself after reviving the boy, but we do not know. We do know that a while later he was hairy. It is possible that Elijah did not have to shave his head as Yahweh brought the child back to life and technically he was not dead. Later it seems that this boy becomes Elijah’s servant.
1 Kings 17:22 G2532 And G1096 it became G3779 so, G2532 and G1994 [5returned G3588 1the G5590 2life G3588 3of the G3808 4boy] G1519 to G1473 him . G2532 And G310 [3yelled out G3588 1the G3808 2boy].
23 G2532 And G2609 he led G1473 him G575 from G3588 the G5253 upper room G1519 into G3588 the G3624 house, G2532 and G1325 he gave G1473 it G3588 to G3384 his mother. G1473 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said, G* G991 See! G2198 [2lives G3588 G5207 1your son]. G1473
24 G2532 And G2036 [3said G3588 1the G1135 2woman] G4314 to G* Elijah, G2400 Behold, G1097 I know G3754 that G444 [2a man G3588 G2316 3of God G1510.2.2 1you are], G1473 G2532 and G4487 the word G2962 of the lord G1722 in G3588 G4750 your mouth G1473 G228 is true.
The wheat and oil not running out for two and one half years was not enough for the women to recognize Elijah as a man of the Elohim, but raising her son proved to her who Elijah was. She then says that the rhēma of Yahweh in Elijah’s mouth is true or genuine. James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Jas 5:16 …The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Now it will rain.
1 Kings 18:1 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G3326 after G2250 [2days G4183 1many], G2532 and G4487 the word G2962 of the lord G1096 came G4314 to G* Elijah G1722 in G3588 G1763 [3year G3588 1the G5154 2third], G3004 saying, G4198 Go, G2532 and G3708 appear G3588 to G* Ahab! G2532 and G1325 I will put G5205 rain G1909 upon G4383 the face G3588 of the G1093 earth.
2 G2532 And G4198 Elijah went G* G3588 G3708 to appear G3588 to G* Ahab, G2532 and G3739 there was G3042 [2famine G2900 1a strong] G1722 in G* Samaria.
There was no rain for three years and six months. There was a powerful famine. The rhēma of Yahweh came to Elijah. Obadiah was a manager of Ahab, but he feared Yahweh. Yahweh has Elijah appear to Obadiah.
1 Kings 18:3 G2532 And G2564 Ahab called G* G3588 G* Obadiah G3588 the G3623 manager. G2532 And G* Obadiah G1510.7.3 was G5399 fearing G3588 the G2962 lord G4970 exceedingly.
4 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G1722 when G3588 G5180 Jezebel struck G* G3588 the G4396 prophets G2962 of the lord, G2532 that G2983 Obadiah took G* G1540 a hundred G4396 prophets, G2532 and G2633.1 he hid G1473 them G303 by G4004 fifty G1722 in G1417 two G4693 caves, G2532 and G1303.5 nourished G1473 them G1722 with G740 bread G2532 and G5204 water.
There was still water and bread available in the drought, Obadiah had access to bread and water for the prophets. Think about how much bread and water he had to carry to feed one hundred men for three years. Verse 4 is parenthetical. Jezebel struck the prophets because Elijah said it would not rain until he said so.
1 Kings 18:5 G2532 And G2036 Ahab said G* G4314 to G* Obadiah, G1204 Come, G2532 and G1330 we should go through G1722 in G3588 the G1093 land G1909 unto G3588 the G4077 springs G3588 of the G5204 waters, G2532 and G1909 unto G3956 all G3588 the G5493 rushing streams, G1487 if G4458 perchance G2147 we should find G1008 pasturage, G2532 and G4046 we should preserve G2462 the horses G2532 and G2254.2 mules, G2532 and G3756 [2shall not be destroyed G1842 G575 3from G1473 4us G2934 1cattle].
The idea that Ahab had, was to head out across the Jordan to the mountains of Gilead, and look for springs or water from the winter torrent. It wasn’t raining in their region, but it was raining in other areas.
1 Kings 18:6 G2532 And G1266 they divided G1438 to themselves G3588 the G3598 way G3588 G4198 to go G1722 by G1473 it; G* Ahab G4198 went G1722 by G3598 [2way G1520 1one], G2532 and G* Obadiah G4198 went G1722 by G3598 [2way G243 1another] G3441 alone.
7 G2532 And G1510.7.3 Obadiah was G* G1722 in G3588 the G3598 way G3441 alone, G2532 and G2400 behold, G* Elijah G1519 came to G4877 meet with G1473 him. G2532 And G* Obadiah G4692 hastened G2532 and G4098 fell G1909 upon G4383 his face, G1473 G2532 and G2036 he said, G1487 Are you G1473 G1510.2.2 G1473 he, G2962 O my master, G1473 G* Elijah?
Why would Obadiah bow? How did Obadiah know that person could be Elijah? Elijah had a distinctive look.
1 Kings 18:8 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G1473 to him, G1473 I am, G4198 Go, G3004 tell G3588 G2962 your master, G1473 G2400 Behold, G* Elijah!
9 G2532 And G2036 Obadiah said, G* G5100 How G264 have I sinned G3754 that G1473 you G1325 appoint G3588 G1401 your servant G1473 G1519 into G5495 the hands G* of Ahab G3588 G2289 to kill G1473 me?
Obadiah is less than thrilled about this assignment.
1 Kings 18:10 G2198 As [3lives G2962 1 the lord G3588 G2316 2your God], G1473 G1487 is there G1510.2.3 G1484 a nation G2228 or G932 kingdom G3739 of which G3756 [2did not G649 3send G3588 G2962 1my master] G1473 G2212 to seek G1473 you? G2532 And G1487 if G2036 they said, G3756 He is not here; G1510.2.3 G2532 then G3726 he adjured G3588 the G932 kingdom G2532 and G3588 G5561 its places, G1473 G3754 for G3756 he did not G2147 find G1473 you.
Now we find out what was happening when Elijah was in Sarepta. Ahab sent people out to find Elijah and then made the regions swear an oath that they did not find Elijah. Ahab was probably threatening the cities. Jezebel killed the prophets. Remember, Elijah said that there would be no dew or rain unless by the logos of his mouth. Ahab may not have taken Elijah seriously at first, but as time went on he probably thought that he could find Elijah and make Elijah call for rain.
1 Kings 18:11 G2532 And G3568 now G1473 you G3004 say, G4198 Go G312 announce G3588 to G2962 your master, G1473 G2400 Behold, G* Elijah!
12 G2532 And G1510.8.3 it will be G1437 if G1473 I G565 should go forth G575 from G1473 you, G2532 and G4151 a wind G2962 of the lord G142 shall lift G1473 you G1519 into G3588 the G1093 land G3739 which G3756 I do not G1492 know, G2532 and G1525 I shall enter G3588 G518 to report G3588 G* to Ahab, G2532 and G3756 he should not G2147 find G1473 you, G2532 then G615 he will kill G1473 me. G2532 But G3588 G1401 your servant G1473 G1510.2.3 is G5399 fearing G3588 the G2962 lord G1537 from out of G3503 his youth. G1473
Obadiah says that the pneuma, the Spirit of Yahweh, could raise Elijah up to another land. Then Ahab would kill Obadiah. It must have seemed like Elijah had disappeared somehow by the Spirit of the Lord since Ahab could not find him. The idea that the Spirit of the Lord would take Elijah somewhere else after Obadiah tells Ahab that he found Elijah, must have seemed like a real possibility. Had there already been a prophecy that Elijah would be translated and not see death? Those types of prophecies among the Nazarene/Zadok/Zedek priests would have spread throughout the regions to the other priests. Obadiah calls himself Elijah’s servant, saying that he feared Yahweh from his youth. Obadiah really did step out in faith.
1 Kings 18:13 G2228 Or G3756 was it not G518 reported G1473 to you, G3588 G2962 O my master, G1473 G3634 what things G4160 I have done G1722 when G3588 G615 Jezebel killed G* G3588 the G4396 prophets G2962 of the lord, G2532 that G2983 I took G1537 some G3588 of the G4396 prophets G2962 of the lord -- G1540 a hundred G435 men, G2532 and G2928 I hid G1473 them G1722 in G3588 the G4693 caves G303 by G4004 fifty, G2532 and G5142 I maintained G1473 them G1722 with G740 bread loaves G2532 and G5204 water?
Jezebel didn’t know that Obadiah hid one hundred prophets. Even though Obadiah was Ahab’s manager, she didn’t know that Obadiah was serving Yahweh. Obadiah had access to food and water. The kings’ household wasn’t suffering as much as the people.
1 Kings 18:14 G2532 And G3568 now G1473 you G3004 say, G4198 Go, G3004 tell G3588 G2962 your master, G1473 G2400 Behold, G* Elijah! G2532 and G615 he will kill G1473 me.
15 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said, G* G2198 As [4lives G2962 1 the lord G3588 2of the G1411 3forces], G3739 in which G3936 I stand G1799 before G1473 him, G3754 that G4594 today G3708 I will appear G1473 to him.
Elijah says “as Yahweh of the heavenly armies lives, who I stand before the face of, that now I appear.” The people must have thought that Elijah simply disappeared or that the Spirit of the Lord carried him off to a faraway land. In the beginning Elijah was in Cherith Gilead and then he was in Jezebel’s country. Obviously Elijah didn’t travel or go out into the communities because everyone knew what he looked like. Jezebel killed the prophets while she was searching for Elijah. Elijah was famous for three and one half years by this time.
1 Kings 18:16 G2532 And G4198 Obadiah went G* G1519 to G4877 meet with G3588 G* Ahab, G2532 and G518 he reported G1473 to him. G2532 And G1625.1 Ahab ran forth G* G2532 and G4198 went G1519 to G4877 meet with G* Elijah.
17 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G5613 as G1492 Ahab saw G* G3588 G* Elijah, G2532 that G2036 Ahab said G* G4314 to G* Elijah, G1487 Are you G1473 G1510.2.2 G1473 he G3588 G1294 turning aside G3588 G* Israel?
When Ahab calls to Elijah he accuses Elijah of perverting or corrupting Israel against Ahab. The people were living through a powerful famine. They were probably questioning their own lives at this point, having turned away from Yahweh to serve Baal. They may have been grumbling against Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab may have felt threatened by his unpopularity.
1 Kings 18:18 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said, G* G3756 I do not G1294 turn aside G3588 G* Israel, G237.1 but G1473 you, G2532 and G3588 the G3624 house G3588 G3962 of your father, G1473 G1722 in G3588 G2642.3 your leaving G1473 G3588 the G2962 lord G2316 your God, G1473 G2532 and G4198 to go G3694 after G3588 the G* Baalim.
19 G2532 And G3568 now, G649 send G2532 and G4867 gather together G4314 to G1473 me G3956 all G* Israel G1519 at G3588 G3735 mount G3588 G* Carmel, G2532 and G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588 G* of Baal -- G5071 four hundred G2532 and G4004 fifty, G2532 and G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588 of the G251.1 sacred groves -- G5071 four hundred, G2068 eating G5132 at the table G* of Jezebel!
20 G2532 And G649 Ahab sent G* G1519 into G3956 all G3588 G* Israel, G2532 and G1996 he assembled G3956 all G3588 the G4396 prophets G1519 to G3588 G3735 mount G3588 G* Carmel.
Elijah says that Ahab and his father caused Israel to turn against them when they left Yahweh Elohim. Elijah called for all of Israel to come to mount Carmel. I’m sure that not all of Israel came, but enough people did come because they were angry at Ahab and Jezebel for causing a three and one half year drought. He also called for the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Baal who eat with Jezebel. It seems that only the 450 prophets came.
1 Kings 18:21 G2532 And G4334 Elijah came near G* G4314 to G3956 all G3588 the G2992 people, G2532 and G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 them, G2193 For G4219 how long G1473 will you G5559.8 be lame G1909 upon G297 both G3588 G2395.2 your hams? G1473 G1487 If G1510.2.3 the lord is G2962 G3588 G2316 God, G4198 go G3694 after G1473 him! G1487 But if G1161 G3588 G* Baal, G4198 go G3694 after G1473 him! G2532 And G3756 [3answered not G611 G3588 1the G2992 2people] G3056 a word.
“Until what time you lame on both your hamstrings?” We might say ‘how long will you be hamstrung?" Elijah is pointing out that both legs were lame, as if their hamstrings were cut. Elijah is rallying the people to force them into a decision. He is telling them that they are lame in both legs. Everyone knows that Elijah’s Elohim is Yahweh (that is Elijah’s name), so when Elijah tells them “if Yahweh Elohim go behind him”, meaning go stand behind Yahweh or stand behind Baal, then the people were to make a choice. Stand behind Yahweh, or stand behind the prophets of Baal for Baal. In other words, make a choice. Elijah challenged the people before he started the miracle contest because he knew that in their hearts they did not serve Yahweh. Later, those Israelites were commissioned to kill the prophets of Baal. Elijah’s challenge to the people forced them to think.
1 Kings 18:22 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G4314 to G3588 the G2992 people, G1473 I G5275 am left G4396 [2a prophet G2962 3 of the lord G3441 1alone], G2532 and G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588 G* of Baal G5071 are four hundred G2532 and G4004 fifty G435 men.
The people knew that Jezebel killed the prophets. However, they did not know that Obadiah hid one hundred prophets. Elijah knew, but he tells the people that he is the only prophet of Yahweh. Why? Elijah doesn’t want anyone to look for the other prophets. Then he gives the prophets of Baal a challenge.
1 Kings 18:23 G1325 Give then G3767 G1473 to us G1417 two G1016 oxen, G2532 and G1586 let them choose G1438 for themselves G3588 G1520 one, G2532 and G3192.1 let them dismember it, G2532 and G2007 place it G1909 upon G3588 the G3586 wood, G2532 and G4442 [3fire G3361 1do not G2007 2put] upon it! G2532 And G1473 I G4160 will do the same G3588 G1016 [2ox G3588 G243 1 with the other], G2532 and G4442 [3fire G3766.2 1in no way G2007 2will I put] upon it .
24 G2532 And G994 you yell out G1722 in G3686 the name G3588 G2316 of your gods, G1473 G2532 and G1473 I G1941 will call G1722 upon G3588 the G3686 name G2962 of the lord G3588 G2316 my God. G1473 G2532 And G1510.8.3 it will be G3588 the G2316 God G3739 who G302 ever G1873 heeds G1722 by G4442 fire, G3778 this G2316 is God. G2532 And G611 [4answered G3956 1all G3588 2the G2992 3people] G2532 and G2036 said, G18 [3 is good G3588 1The G3056 2word] G3739 which G2980 you have spoken.
Since there were 450 prophets of Baal, all the people must have thought that Elijah would lose. But there seemed to be more than 450 Israelites there. They were not all on top of the mountain, they were at the foot of the mountain. They were in the area of the former Levitical service, where the altar of sacrifice had been destroyed.
1 Kings 18:25 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G3588 to the G4396 prophets G1473 of G* Baal, G1586 Choose G1438 for yourselves G3588 the G1016 [2ox G3588 G1520 1one], G2532 and G4160 prepare it G4413 first! G3754 for G1473 you G4183 are many; G2532 and G1941 call G1722 in G3686 the name G2316 of your god, G1473 G2532 and G4442 [3fire G3361 1do not G2007 2put] upon it!
26 G2532 And G2983 they took G3588 the G1016 ox, G2532 and G4160 offered it, G2532 and G1941 they called G1722 in G3686 the name G3588 G* of Baal G1537 from G4405 morning G2193 until G3314 midday. G2532 And G2036 they said, G1873 Heed G1473 us, G5599 O G* Baal, G1873 heed G1473 us! G2532 And G3756 there was no G1510.7.3 G5456 sound, G2532 and G3756 there was no G1510.7.3 G200.2 hearing a thing . G2532 And G1303.6 they ran G1909 upon G3588 the G2379 altar G3739 of which G4160 they made.
They spent half the day trying to get an answer from Baal. Elijah starts to mock them.
1 Kings 18:27 G2532 And G1096 it became G3314 midday, G2532 and G3456 [4sneered at G1473 5them G* 1Elijah G3588 2the G* 3Tishbite], G2532 and G2036 he said, G1941 Call G1722 with G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great]! G3379 perhaps G96.2 [3in 5meditation G5100 4some G1510.2.3 1he is G1473 2himself], G2532 and G260 at the same time G3379 perhaps G5537 [2executing business G1473 1he is], G2228 or G3379 perhaps G2518 he sleeps G2532 and G1817 shall rise up.
The word meditation αδολεσχία means idle talk. Elijah is suggesting that Baal is babbling with someone. Maybe he is negotiating or transacting business. Maybe he is sleeping and has to rise up. All this mocking encouraged the prophets of Baal to yell louder and cut themselves.
1 Kings 18:28 G2532 And G1941 they called out G1722 with G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great], G2532 and G2697.3 mutilated themselves G2596 according to G3588 G1479.1 their custom G1473 G1722 with G3162 knives G2532 and G1722 by G4577.2 spears, G2193 until G1632.1 [2poured out G129 1blood] G1909 of G1473 them.
29 G2532 And G4395 they prophesied G2193 until G3739 of which time G3928 it went into G3588 the G3314 midday. G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G5613 as G3588 the G2540 time G3588 of the G3314 midday G3588 G305 to ascend G3588 for the G2378 sacrifice -- G2532 and G3756 there was no G1510.7.3 G5456 sound, G2532 and G3756 there was no G1510.7.3 G200.2 hearing.
Their blood did not inspire Baal to burn their sacrifice. They prophesied until midday, but nothing. Next it will be Elijah’s turn.
Elijah, whose Elohim is Yahweh, hides in Gilead, in the mountains, then in Sarepta Sidon. He was not welcome in Israel until the people began pleading for rain and turning against Ahab. While Elijah was hiding, Jezebel killed the prophets, and Ahab made a sweep of all the towns and cities looking for Elijah. They tore down the altars for Levitical service. Elijah was different in that he had long hair and wore a leather girdle around his loins. People knew that he had lived in the city of priests. It seemed that people suspected he was Elijah (the man of God) before they knew it was him. They must have heard a lot about him. The people also seemed to think that the Spirit of Yahweh could or would take Elijah up to another place, as if a prophecy had been given over Elijah. As Jeremiah records this for us we see that Israel had left serving Yahweh Elohim and was now being pushed into making a decision as to who they ought to serve. Elijah is ready. We will see what he does next week.
