The Contest on Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18

Eliu confronts Achaab after years of famine and challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest of sacrifice on mount Carmel, where the Lord answers by fire while Baal remains silent, leading Eliu to slay the false prophets and pray for the rain that ends the drought.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND after many days, a word of the Lord came to Elias in the third year, saying, Go and shew thyself to Achab and I will send rain on the face of the land.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Eliu in the third year, saying, Go, and appear before Achaab, and I will bring rain upon the face of the earth.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μεθʼ ἡμέρας πολλὰς, καὶ ῥῆμα Κυρίου ἐγένετο πρὸς Ἠλιοὺ ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ τῷ τρίτῳ, λέγων, πορεύθητι, καὶ ὄφθητι τῷ Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ δώσω ὑετὸν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς.

KJVAnd it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

JPSAnd it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying: ‘Go, show thyself unto Ahab, and I will send rain upon the land.’

ThomsonNow when Elias went to shew himself to Achab there was a grievous famine in Samaria.

BrentonAnd Eliu went to appear before Achaab: and the famine was severe in Samaria.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Ἠλιοὺ τοῦ ὀφθῆναι τῷ Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ ἡ λιμὸς κραταιὰ ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ.

KJVAnd Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

JPSAnd Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.

ThomsonAnd Achab had called his steward Abdiou. This Abdiou feared the Lord greatly;

BrentonAnd Achaab called Abdiu the steward. Now Abdiu feared the Lord greatly.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ἀχαὰβ τὸν Ἀβδιοὺ τὸν οἰκονόμον· καὶ Ἀβδιοὺ ἦν φοβούμενος τὸν Κύριον σφόδρα.

KJVAnd Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:

JPSAnd Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household.—Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

Thomsonso that when Jezabel smote the prophets of the Lord, Abdiou took a hundred men who were prophets, and hid them by fifties in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when Jezabel smote the prophets of the Lord, that Abdiu took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ τύπτειν τὴν Ἰεζάβελ τοὺς προφήτας Κυρίου, καὶ ἔλαβεν Ἀβδιοὺ ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας προφήτας καὶ κατέκρυψεν αὐτοὺς κατὰ πεντήκοντα ἐν σπηλαίῳ, καὶ διέτρεφεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἄρτῳ καὶ ὕδατι.

KJVFor it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

JPSfor it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.—

ThomsonAnd Achab said to Abdiou, Come and let us go through the land to the fountains of water and to the brooks, perhaps we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that they may not be utterly destroyed from our habitations.

BrentonAnd Achaab said to Abdiu, Come, and let us go through the land, and to the fountains of water, and to the brooks, if by any means we may find grass, and may save the horses and mules, and so they will not perish from the tents.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀχαὰβ πρὸς Ἀβδιοὺ, δεῦρο, καὶ διέλθωμεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐπὶ πηγὰς τῶν ὑδάτων καὶ ἐπὶ χειμάῤῥους, ἐὰν πῶς εὕρωμεν βοτάνην, καὶ περιποιησώμεθα ἵππους καὶ ἡμιόνους, καὶ οὐκ ἐξολοθρευθήσονται ἀπὸ τῶν σκηνῶν.

KJVAnd Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

JPSAnd Ahab said unto Obadiah: ‘Go through the land, unto all the springs of water, and unto all the brooks; peradventure we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.’

ThomsonSo they divided the way between them, that they might traverse the country. Achab went one way, and Abdiou went by himself another way.

BrentonAnd they made a division of the way between them to pass through it: Achaab went one way, and Abdiu went by another way alone.

GreekΚαὶ ἐμέρισαν ἑαυτοῖς τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ διελθεῖν αὐτήν· Ἀχαὰβ ἐπορεύθη ἐν ὁδῷ μιᾷ, καὶ Ἀβδιοὺ ἐπορεύθη ἐν ὁδῷ ἄλλῃ μόνος.

KJVSo they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

JPSSo they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

ThomsonAnd as Abdiou was in the way by himself Elias came by himself to meet him. Whereupon Abdiou hasted and fell on his face and said, Art thou he, my lord Elias?

BrentonAnd Abdiu was alone in the way; and Eliu came alone to meet him: and Abdiu hasted, and fell upon his face, and said, My lord Eliu, art thou indeed he?

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Ἀβδιοὺ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μόνος· καὶ ἦλθεν Ἠλιοὺ εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτοῦ μόνος· καὶ Ἀβδιοὺ ἔσπευσε καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, εἰ σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς, κύριέ μου Ἠλιού;

KJVAnd as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?

JPSAnd as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him; and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said: ‘Is it thou, my lord Elijah?’

ThomsonAnd Elias said, I am, Go and tell thy master, Behold Elias is here.

BrentonAnd Eliu said to him, I am: go, say to thy master, Behold, Eliu is here.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ αὐτῷ, ἑγώ· πορεύου, λέγε τῷ κυρίῳ σου, ἰδοὺ Ἠλιού.

KJVAnd he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

JPSAnd he answered him: ‘It is I; go, tell thy lord: Behold, Elijah is here.’

ThomsonAnd Abdiou said, In what have I sinned that thou shouldst deliver thy servant into the hand of Achab, that he may put me to death?

BrentonAnd Abdiu said, What sin have I committed, that thou givest thy servant into the hand of Achaab to slay me?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβδιοὺ, τί ἡμάρτηκα, ὅτι δίδως τὸν δοῦλόν σου εἰς χεῖρα Ἀχαὰβ τοῦ θανατῶσαί με;

KJVAnd he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

JPSAnd he said: ‘Wherein have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

ThomsonAs the Lord thy God liveth, there is not a nation or a kingdom to which my master hath not sent to seek thee. And if they said, He is not here, he burned the kingdom or its borders, because he did not find thee.

BrentonAs the Lord thy God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom, whither my lord has not sent to seek thee; and if they said, He is not here, then has he set fire to the kingdom and its territories, because he has not found thee.

GreekΖῇ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, εἰ ἔστιν ἔθνος ἢ βασιλεία, οὗ οὐκ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ κύριός μου ζητεῖν σε· καὶ εἰ εἶπον, οὐκ ἔστι, καὶ ἐνέπρησε τὴν βασιλείαν καὶ τὰς χώρας αὐτῆς, ὅτι οὐχ εὕρηκέ σε.

KJVAs the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

JPSAs the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee; and when they said: He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

ThomsonAnd now thou sayst, Go tell thy master, Behold Elias is here.

BrentonAnd now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Eliu is here.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν σὺ λέγεις, πορεύου, ἀνάγγελε τῷ κυρίῳ σου, ἰδοὺ Ἠλιού.

KJVAnd now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

JPSAnd now thou sayest: Go, tell thy lord: Behold, Elijah is here.

ThomsonBut it may be, that when I am gone from thee, the Spirit of the Lord will carry thee away to a land which I know not. So that when I shall go and tell Achab, and he shall not find thee, he will kill me. Now thy servant is one who feareth the Lord from his youth.

BrentonAnd it shall come to pass when I shall have departed from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee to a land which I know not, and I shall go in to tell the matter to Achaab, and he will not find thee and will slay me: yet thy servant fears the Lord from his youth.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ἐὰν ἐγὼ ἀπέλθω ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἀρεῖ σε εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν οὐκ οἶδα, καὶ εἰσελεύσομαι ἀπαγγεῖλαι τῷ Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσει σε, καὶ ἀποκτενεῖ με· καὶ ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐστὶ φοβούμενος τὸν Κύριον ἐκ νεότητος αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

JPSAnd it will come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the spirit of the LORD will carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me; but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

ThomsonHath it not been told thee, my lord, what I did when Jezabel slew the prophets of the Lord—how I hid a hundred men of the prophets of the Lord by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

BrentonHas it not been told to thee my lord, what I did when Jezabel slew the prophets of the Lord, that I hid a hundred men of the prophets of the Lord, by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

GreekἪ οὐκ ἀπηγγέλη σοι τῷ κυρίῳ μου, οἷα πεποίηκα ἐν τῷ ἀποκτείνειν τὴν Ἰεζάβελ τοὺς προφήτας Κυρίου, καὶ ἔκρυψα ἀπὸ τῶν προφητῶν Κυρίου ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας, ἀνὰ πεντήκοντα ἐν σπηλαίῳ, καὶ ἔθρεψα ἐν ἄρτοις καὶ ὕδατι;

KJVWas it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

JPSWas it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD’S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

ThomsonYet, now thou sayst, Go, tell thy master, Behold Elias is here, that he may kill me.

BrentonAnd now thou sayest to me, Go, say to thy master, Behold, Eliu is here: and he shall slay me.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν σὺ λέγεις μοι, πορεύου, λέγε τῷ κυρίῳ σου, ἰδοὺ Ἠλιού· καὶ ἀποκτενεῖ με.

KJVAnd now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.

JPSAnd now thou sayest: Go, tell thy lord: Behold, Elijah is here; and he will slay me.’

ThomsonAnd Elias said, As the Lord of Hosts liveth, before Whom I stand, I will this day shew myself to him.

BrentonAnd Eliu said, As the Lord of Hosts before whom I stand lives, to-day I will appear before him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ, ζῇ Κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων ᾧ παρέστην ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, ὅτι σήμερον ὀφθήσομαι αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

JPSAnd Elijah said: ‘As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to-day.’

ThomsonThen Abdiou went to meet Achab, and when he told him, Achab hastened and came to meet Elias.

BrentonAnd Abdiu went to meet Achaab, and told him: and Achaab hasted forth, and went to meet Eliu.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Ἀβδιοὺ εἰς συναντὴν τῷ Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐξέδραμεν Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς συνάντησιν Ἠλιού.

KJVSo Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

JPSSo Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

ThomsonAnd when Achab saw Elias,

BrentonAnd it came to pass when Achaab saw Eliu, that Achaab said to Eliu, Art thou he that perverts Israel?

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἶδεν Ἀχαὰβ τὸν Ἠλιού, καὶ εἶπεν Ἀχαὰβ πρὸς Ἠλιοὺ, εἰ σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς ὁ διαστρέφων τὸν Ἰσραήλ;

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

JPSAnd it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him: ‘Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel?’

Thomsonhe said to him, Art thou he, the troubler of Israel? To which Elias replied, I am not the troubler of Israel; but thou and thy father’s house are, by your forsaking the Lord your God and going after the Baalims.

BrentonAnd Eliu said, I do not pervert Israel; but it is thou and thy father's house, in that ye forsake the Lord your God, and thou hast gone after Baalim.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ, οὐ διαστρέφω τὸν Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι ἀλλʼ ἢ σὺ καὶ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου, ἐν τῷ καταλιμπάνειν ὑμᾶς τὸν Κύριον Θεὸν ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐπορεύθης ὀπίσω τῶν Βααλίμ.

KJVAnd he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

JPSAnd be answered: ‘I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed the Baalim.

ThomsonNow therefore send and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of shame, four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the bowers four hundred, who eat at Jezabel’s table.

BrentonAnd now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of shame four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, that eat at Jezabel's table.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον, συνάθροισον πρὸς μὲ πάντα Ἰσραὴλ εἰς ὄρος τὸ Καρμήλιον, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας τῆς αἰσχύνης τετρακοσίους καὶ πεντήκοντα, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας τῶν ἀλσῶν τετρακοσίους ἐσθίοντας τράπεζαν Ἰεζάβελ.

KJVNow therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.

JPSNow therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel’s table.’

ThomsonAnd when Achab had sent to all Israel, and had assembled all the prophets at mount Carmel,

BrentonAnd Achaab sent to all Israel, and gathered all the prophets to mount Carmel.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἀχαὰβ εἰς πάντα Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐπισυνήγαγεπάντας τοὺς προφήτας εἰς ὄρος τὸ Καρμήλιον.

KJVSo Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

JPSAnd Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

ThomsonElias came near before them all, and Elias said to them, How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him: but if Baal; follow him. But the people made no reply.

BrentonAnd Eliu drew near to them all: and Eliu said to them, How long wilt ye halt on both feet? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him. And the people answered not a word.

GreekΚαὶ προσήγαγεν Ἠλιοὺ πρὸς πάντας· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἠλιοὺ, ἕως πότε ὑμεῖς χωλανεῖτε ἐπʼ ἀμφοτέραις ταῖς ἰγνύαις· εἰ ἔστι Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, πορεύεσθε ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ· εἰ δὲ Βάαλ, πορεύεσθε ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ λαὸς λόγον.

KJVAnd Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

JPSAnd Elijah came near unto all the people, and said: ‘How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ And the people answered him not a word.

ThomsonThen Elias said to the people, I am left a prophet of the Lord myself alone. But the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of the Grove [of Baal] four hundred.

BrentonAnd Eliu said to the people, I am left, the only one prophet of the Lord; and the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of the groves four hundred.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ πρὸς τὸν λαόν, ἐγὼ ὑπολέλειμμαι προφήτης τοῦ Κυρίου μονώτατος· καὶ οἱ προφῆται τοῦ Βάαλ τετρακόσιοι καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες, καὶ οἱ προφῆται τοῦ ἄλσους τετρακόσιοι·

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen said Elijah unto the people: ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

ThomsonLet there be given to us two young bulls, and let them choose one for themselves, and cut him in pieces, and lay them on wood, but put no fire; and I will prepare the other and put no fire.

BrentonLet them give us two oxen, and let them choose one for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire on the wood: and I will dress the other bullock, and put on no fire.

GreekΔότωσαν ἡμῖν δύο βόας, καὶ ἐκλεξάσθωσαν ἑαυτοῖς τὸν ἕνα, καὶ μελισάτωσαν, καὶ ἐπιθέτωσαν ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων, καὶ πῦρ μὴ ἐπιθέτωσαν· καὶ ἐγὼ ποιήσω τὸν βοῦν τὸν ἄλλον, καὶ πῦρ οὐ μὴ ἐπιθῶ.

KJVLet them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

JPSLet them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under.

ThomsonAnd call ye on the name of your gods, and I will invoke the name of the Lord my God. And the god who shall answer by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, The proposal thou hast made is fair.

BrentonAnd do ye call loudly on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord my God, and it shall come to pass that the God who shall answer by fire, he is God. And all the people answered and said, The word which thou hast spoken is good.

GreekΚαὶ βοᾶτε ἐν ὀνόματι θεῶν ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐγὼ ἐπικαλέσομαι ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ μου· καὶ ἔσται ὁ θεὸς ὃς ἂν ἐπακούσῃ ἐν πυρὶ, οὗτος Θεός· καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, καὶ εἶπον, καλὸν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλάλησας.

KJVAnd call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

JPSAnd call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.’ And all the people answered and said: ‘It is well spoken.’

ThomsonThen Elias said to the prophets of shame, Choose for yourselves one young bull and prepare it first; for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.

BrentonAnd Eliu said to the prophets of shame, Choose to yourselves one calf, and dress it first, for ye are many; and call ye on the name of your god; but apply no fire.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ τοῖς προφήταις τῆς αἰσχύνης, ἐκλέξασθε ἑαυτοῖς τὸν μόσχον τὸν ἕνα, καὶ ποιήσατε πρῶτοι, ὅτι πολλοὶ ὑμεῖς· καὶ ἐπικαλέσασθε ἐν ὀνόματι θεοῦ ὑμῶν, καὶ πῦρ μὴ ἐπιθῆτε.

KJVAnd Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

JPSAnd Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal: ‘Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under.’

ThomsonSo they took the young bull, and prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning till noon, and said, Hearken to us, O Baal! Hearken to us. But there was no voice. There was no answer; though they ran upon the altar which they had erected.

BrentonAnd they took the calf and drest it, and called on the name of Baal from morning till noon, and said, Hear us, O Baal, hear us. And there was no voice, neither was there hearing, and they ran up and down on the altar which they had made.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβον τὸν μόσχον καὶ ἐποίησαν, καὶ ἐπεκαλοῦντο ἐν ὀνόματι τοῦ Βάαλ ἐκ πρωΐθεν ἕως μεσημβρίας, καὶ εἶπον, ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν ὁ Βάαλ, ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν· καὶ οὐκ ἦν φωνὴ, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἀκρόασις· καὶ διέτρεχον ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου οὗ ἐποίησαν.

KJVAnd they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

JPSAnd they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying: ‘O Baal, answer us.’ But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they danced in halting wise about the altar which was made.

ThomsonAnd when it was noon, Elias the Thesbite mocked them, and said, Call louder; for he is a god; for he is engaged in meditation, or perhaps he is busy, or perhaps he is asleep, and must be awaked.

BrentonAnd it was noon, and Eliu the Thesbite mocked them, and said, Call with a loud voice, for he is a god; for he is meditating, or else perhaps he is engaged in business, or perhaps he is asleep, and is to be awaked.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μεσημβρία, καὶ ἐμυκτήρισεν αὐτοὺς Ἠλιοὺ ὁ Θεσβίτης, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐπικαλεῖσθε ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, ὅτι θεός ἐστιν· ὅτι ἀδολεσχία αὐτῷ ἐστι, καὶ ἅμα μή ποτε χρηματίζει αὐτὸς, ἢ μή ποτε καθεύδει αὐτὸς, καὶ ἐξαναστήσεται.

KJVAnd it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

JPSAnd it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said: ‘Cry aloud; for he is a god; either he is musing, or he is gone aside, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.’

ThomsonThen they called with a loud voice, and according to their custom cut themselves with knives and lancets till there was a gush of blood upon them,

BrentonAnd they cried with a loud voice, and cut themselves according to their custom with knives and lancets until the blood gushed out upon them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπεκαλοῦντο ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, καὶ κατετέμνοντο κατὰ τὸν ἐθισμὸν αὐτῶν ἐν μαχαίραις καὶ σειρομάσταις ἕως ἐκχύσεως αἵματος ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς,

KJVAnd they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

JPSAnd they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with swords and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Thomsonand prophesied till the approach of the evening. But when it was about the time when the sacrifice should ascend, Elias the Thesbite spoke to the prophets of the idols, and said, Desist now, and I will prepare my whole burnt offering. So they desisted, and went away.

BrentonAnd they prophesied until the evening came; and it came to pass as it was the time of the offering of the sacrifice, that Eliu the Thesbite spoke to the prophets of the abominations, saying, Stand by for the present, and I will offer my sacrifice. And they stood aside and departed.

Greekκαὶ προεφήτευον ἕως οὗ παρῆλθε τὸ δειλινόν· καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ὁ καιρὸς τοὺ ἀναβῆναι τὴν θυσίαν, καὶ ἐλάλησεν Ἠλιοὺ ὁ Θεσβίτης πρὸς τοὺς προφήτας τῶν προσοχθισμάτων, λέγων, μετάστητε ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν, καὶ ἐγὼ ποιήσω τὸ ὁλοκαύτωμά μου· καὶ μετέστησαν, καὶ ἀπῆλθον.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening offering; but their was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

ThomsonThen Elias said to the people, Draw near to me. And when all the people came near before him,

BrentonAnd Eliu said to the people, Come near to me. And all the people came near to him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, προσαγάγετε πρὸς μέ· καὶ προσήγαγε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς πρὸς αὐτόν.

KJVAnd Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

JPSAnd Elijah said unto all the people: ‘Come near unto me’; and all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was thrown down.

ThomsonElias took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of Israel, to whom the Lord had spoken, saying, Thy name shall be Israel;

BrentonAnd Eliu took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, as the Lord spoke to him, saying, Israel shall be thy name.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἡλιοὺ δώδεκα λίθους κατὰ ἀριθμὸν φυλῶν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, ὡς ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς αὐτὸν, λέγων, Ἰσραὴλ ἔσται τὸ ὄνομά σου.

KJVAnd Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

JPSAnd Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying: ‘Israel shall be thy name.’

Thomsonand he built the stones in the name of the Lord, and repaired the altar which had been thrown down. Then he made a trench around the altar sufficient to contain two measures of seed,

BrentonAnd he built up the stones in the name of the Lord, and repaired the altar that had been broken down; and he made a trench that would hold two measures of seed round about the altar.

GreekΚαὶ ᾠκοδόμησε τοὺς λίθους ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, καὶ ἰάσατο τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ κατεσκαμμένον· καὶ ἐποίησε θάλασσαν χωροῦσαν δύο μετρητὰς σπέρματος κυκλόθεν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου·

KJVAnd with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

JPSAnd with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

Thomsonand piled up the split wood upon the altar which he had made. He then divided the whole burnt offering in quarters, and laid it on the split wood. And when he had laid it in order upon the altar, he said, Bring me four pots of water and pour it on the whole burnt offering and on the split wood.

BrentonAnd he piled the cleft wood on the altar which he had made, and divided the whole-burnt-offering, and laid it on the wood, and laid it in order on the altar, and said, Fetch me four pitchers of water, and pour it on the whole-burnt-offering, and on the wood. And they did so.

GreekΚαὶ ἐστοίβασε τὰς σχίδακας ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ὃ ἐποίησε, καὶ ἐμέλισε τὸ ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ἐπὶ τὰς σχίδακας, καὶ ἐστοίβασεν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον,

KJVAnd he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

JPSAnd he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood.

ThomsonAnd when they had done so, he said, Do the same again. And when they had done this a second time, he said, Do it a third time. So they did it a third time,

BrentonAnd he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

Greekκαὶ εἶπε, λάβετέ μοι τέσσαρας ὑδρίας ὕδατος, καὶ ἐπιχέετε ἐπὶ τὸ ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς σχίδακας· καὶ ἐποίησαν οὕτως. Καὶ εἶπε, δευτερώσατε· καὶ ἐδευτέρωσαν· καὶ εἶπε, τρισσώσατε· καὶ ἐτρίσσευσαν.

KJVAnd he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

JPSAnd he said: ‘Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt-offering, and on the wood.’ And he said: ‘Do it the second time’; and they did it the second time. And he said: ‘Do it the third time’; and they did it the third time.

Thomsonand the water ran down about the altar and filled the trench with water.

BrentonAnd the water ran round about the altar, and they filled the trench with water.

GreekΚαὶ διεπορεύετο τὸ ὕδωρ κύκλῳ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν ἔπλησαν ὕδατος.

KJVAnd the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

JPSAnd the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

ThomsonThen Elias raised his voice to heaven and said, O Lord, the God of Abraham and of Isaak and of Israel, hearken to me! O Lord, hearken to me this day by fire, And let all this people know, that Thou art the Lord God of Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that by Thee I have done these works.

BrentonAnd Eliu cried aloud to heaven, and said, Lord God of Abraam, and Isaac, and Israel, answer me, O Lord, answer me this day by fire, and let all this people know that thou art the Lord, the God of Israel, and I am thy servant, and for thy sake I have wrought these works.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνεβόησεν Ἠλιοὺ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ εἶπε, Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς Ἁβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰσραήλ, ἐπάκουσόν μου Κύριε, ἐπάκουσόν μου σήμερον ἐν πυρί, καὶ γνώτωσαν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, ὅτι σὺ εἶ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐγὼ δοῦλός σου, καὶ διὰ σὲ πεποίηκα τὰ ἔργα ταῦτα.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said: ‘O LORD, the God of Abraham, of 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.

ThomsonHearken to me, O Lord! Hearken to me; and let this people know, that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned the heart of this people back again.

BrentonHear me, O Lord, hear me, and let this people know that thou art the Lord God, and thou hast turned back the heart of this people.

GreekἘπάκουσόν μου Κύριε, ἐπάκουσόν μου, καὶ γνώτω ὁ λαὸς οὗτος, ὅτι σὺ εἶ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ σὺ ἔστρεψας τὴν καρδίαν τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου ὀπίσω.

KJVHear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

JPSHear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou, LORD, art God, for Thou didst turn their heart backward.’

ThomsonThereupon fire from the Lord fell down out of heaven and consumed the whole burnt offering, with the split wood and the water in the trench and the stones, and licked up even the dust.

BrentonThen fire fell from the Lord out of heaven, and devoured the whole-burnt-offerings, and the wood and the water that was in the trench, and the fire licked up the stones and the earth.

GreekΚαὶ ἔπεσε πῦρ παρὰ Κυρίου ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ κατέφαγε τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ τὰς σχίδακας καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, καὶ τοὺς λίθους καὶ τὸν χοῦν ἐξέλειξε τὸ πῦρ.

KJVThen the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

JPSThen the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

ThomsonThen all the people fell on their faces and said, Of a truth the Lord is God. He is very God.

BrentonAnd all the people fell upon their faces, and said, Truly the Lord is God; he is God.

GreekΚαὶ ἔπεσε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπον, ἀληθῶς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς αὐτὸς ὁ Θεός.

KJVAnd when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

JPSAnd when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said: ‘The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.’

ThomsonThen Elias said to the people, Seize the prophets of Baal. Let none of them escape. So they seized them and brought them to Elias, down to the brook Kison and slew them there.

BrentonAnd Eliu said to the people, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them; and Eliu brings them down to the brook Kisson, and he slew them there.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, συλλάβετε τοὺς προφήτας τοῦ Βάαλ, μηδεὶς σωθήτω ἐξ αὐτῶν· καὶ συνελαβον αὐτοὺς, καὶ κατάγει αὐτοὺς Ἠλιοὺ εἰς τὸν χειμάῤῥουν Κισσῶν, καὶ ἔσφαξεν αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

JPSAnd Elijah said unto them: ‘Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.’ And they took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

ThomsonThen Elias said to Achab, Go up and eat and drink, for there is a sound of coming rain.

BrentonAnd Eliu said to Achaab, Go up, and eat and drink, for there is a sound of the coming of rain.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ τῷ Ἀχαὰβ, ἀνάβηθι, καὶ φάγε καὶ πίε, ὅτι φωνὴ τῶν ποδῶν τοῦ ὑετοῦ.

KJVAnd Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.

JPSAnd Elijah said unto Ahab: ‘Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.’

ThomsonSo when Achab went up to eat and drink, Elias went up to the top of Carmel, and having bowed down on the earth, he put his face between his knees and

BrentonAnd Achaab went up to eat and to drink; and Eliu went up to Carmel, and stooped to the ground, and put his face between his knees,

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβη Ἀχαὰβ τοῦ φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν· καὶ Ἠλιοὺ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὴν Κάρμηλον καὶ ἔκυψεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἔθηκε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἀναμέσον τῶν γονάτων αὐτοῦ,

KJVSo Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

JPSSo Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.

Thomsonsaid to his servant, Go up and look towards the sea. And when the servant looked and said, There is nothing, Elias said, Return thou again seven times.

Brentonand said to his servant, Go up, and look toward the sea. And the servant looked, and said, There is nothing: and Eliu said, Do thou then go again seven times.

Greekκαὶ εἶπε τῷ παιδαρίῳ αὐτοῦ, ἀνάβηθι, καὶ ἐπίβλεψον ὁδὸν τῆς θαλάσσης· καὶ ἐπέβλεψε τὸ παιδάριον, καὶ εἶπεν, οὐκ ἔστιν οὐθέν· καὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ σὺ ἐπίστρεψον ἑπτάκις.

KJVAnd said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

JPSAnd he said to his servant: ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ And he went up, and looked, and said: ‘There is nothing.’ And he said: ‘Go again seven times.’

ThomsonSo the servant returned seven times, and at the seventh time he said, Behold there is a little cloud like a man’s foot drawing up water. Whereupon he said, Go up and say to Achab, Prepare thy chariot and go down lest the rain overtake thee.

BrentonAnd the servant went again seven times: and it came to pass at the seventh time, that, behold, a little cloud like the sole of a man's foot brought water; and he said, Go up, and say to Achaab, Make ready thy chariot, and go down, lest the rain overtake thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε τὸ παιδάριον ἑπτάκις· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἑβδόμῳ, καὶ ἰδοὺ νεφέλη μικρὰ ὡς ἴχνος ἀνδρὸς ἀνάγουσα ὕδωρ· καὶ εἶπεν, ἀνάβηθι, καὶ εἶπον Ἀχαὰβ, ζεῦξον τὸ ἅρμα σου καὶ κατάβηθι, μὴ καταλάβῃ σε ὁ ὑετός.

KJVAnd it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

JPSAnd it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said: ‘Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of the sea, as small as a man’s hand.’ And he said: ‘Go up, say unto Ahab: Make ready thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.’

ThomsonIn the meanwhile the heaven gradually darkened with clouds and wind, and there came on a great rain. And while Achab wept and was travelling on to Jezrael,

BrentonAnd it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Achaab wept, and went to Jezrael.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἕως ὧδε καὶ ὧδε, καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς συνεσκότασε νεφέλαις καὶ πνεύματι, καὶ ἐγένετο ὑετὸς μέγας· καὶ ἔκλαιε καὶ ἐπορεύετο Ἀχαὰβ ἕως Ἰεζράελ.

KJVAnd it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

JPSAnd it came to pass in a little while, that the heaven grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

Thomsonthe hand of the Lord was upon Elias and having girded up his loins, he ran before Achab to Jezrael.

BrentonAnd the hand of the Lord was upon Eliu, and he girt up his loins, and ran before Achaab to Jezrael.

GreekΚαὶ χεὶρ Κυρίου ἐπὶ τὸν Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ συνέσφιγξε τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔτρεχεν ἔμπροσθεν Ἀχαὰβ εἰς Ἰεζράελ.

KJVAnd the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

JPSAnd the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.