1 Kings 18:1 After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth."

◄ 1 Kings 18:1 ►

New International Version
After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.”

New Living Translation
Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!”

English Standard Version
After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible
After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.”

New American Standard Bible
Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will provide rain on the face of the earth.”

NASB 1995
Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

NASB 1977
Now it came about after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened after many days that the word of Yahweh came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Amplified Bible
Now it happened after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”

Christian Standard Bible
After a long time, the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After a long time, the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.”

American Standard Version
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A while later in the third year of the drought, the LORD spoke his word to Elijah: "Present yourself to Ahab. I will allow rain to fall on the ground."

Good News Translation
After some time, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, "Go and present yourself to King Ahab, and I will send rain."

International Standard Version
Quite some time later—three years later!—this message from the LORD came to Elijah: "Go visit Ahab, and I'll send some rain to the surface of the ground."

Majority Standard Bible
After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”

NET Bible
Some time later, in the third year of the famine, the LORD told Elijah, "Go, make an appearance before Ahab, so I may send rain on the surface of the ground."

New Heart English Bible
And it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

World English Bible
After many days, Yahweh’s word came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the days are many, and the word of YHWH has been to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, appear to Ahab, and I give rain on the face of the ground”;

Young's Literal Translation
And the days are many, and the word of Jehovah hath been unto Elijah in the third year, saying, 'Go, appear unto Ahab, and I give rain on the face of the ground;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be many days, and the word of Jehovah was to Elijah in the third year, saying. Go, be seen to Ahab; and I will give rain upon the face of the earth.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
After many days the word of the Lord came to Elias, in the third year, saying: Go and shew thyself to Achab, that I may give rain upon the face of the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go and show yourself to Ahab, so that I may grant rain upon the face of the earth.”

New American Bible
Long afterward, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: Go, present yourself to Ahab, that I may send rain upon the earth.

New Revised Standard Version
After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab; I will send rain on the earth.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
AND it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was that they were there for many days, and the word of LORD JEHOVAH was on Elyah in the year third saying: “Go, appear to Akhab, and I shall give rain on the face of the land.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Elijah Confronts Ahab
1After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.” 2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Luke 4:25
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.

Deuteronomy 11:16-17
But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods, / or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14
If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, / and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Jeremiah 14:1-6
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ...

Amos 4:7
“I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered.

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Revelation 11:6
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Mark 9:4
And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Luke 9:30-31
Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. / They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Romans 11:2-4
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? / And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.

Luke 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;

James 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.

Revelation 11:2,6
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months…

1 Kings 17:1,7,15
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word…

Luke 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;

James 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.

1 Kings 18:2,15
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria…

I will send rain

Leviticus 26:4
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Psalm 65:9-13
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it…

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1 Kings 18

1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah
9. Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah
17. Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets
41. Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel

Berean Study Bible

After a long time
This phrase sets the stage for a significant passage of time, emphasizing the duration of the drought that had plagued Israel. The Hebrew word used here, "רַב" (rav), conveys a sense of abundance or multitude, indicating that the period was not just lengthy but filled with hardship and anticipation. This time of waiting serves as a test of faith for both Elijah and the people of Israel, reminding us that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed.

in the third year
The specification of "the third year" is crucial, as it ties back to the prophecy given by Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1, where he declared that there would be no rain except at his word. The Hebrew term "שָׁנָה" (shanah) for "year" underscores the cyclical nature of time in the Hebrew calendar, which is based on agricultural cycles. This period of drought was a direct consequence of Israel's idolatry, serving as a divine judgment meant to bring the nation to repentance.

the word of the LORD
This phrase is central to the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament. The Hebrew "דְּבַר־יְהוָה" (devar-YHWH) signifies not just spoken words but the active, living communication of God. It highlights the authority and power of God's message, which is not merely informative but transformative. The "word of the LORD" coming to Elijah signifies divine intervention and guidance, reminding believers of the importance of heeding God's voice in their lives.

came to Elijah
Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," is a pivotal figure in this narrative. The Hebrew verb "בּוֹא" (bo) for "came" suggests an arrival or entrance, indicating that God's message is entering into Elijah's life with purpose and direction. Elijah's role as a prophet is to be the mouthpiece of God, and this divine encounter underscores his obedience and faithfulness in delivering God's message to a rebellious nation.

Go and present yourself to Ahab
This command is both a directive and a test of courage for Elijah. The Hebrew verb "לֵךְ" (lekh) for "go" is an imperative, calling Elijah to action. Presenting himself to Ahab, the king of Israel, who had led the nation into idolatry, required boldness and trust in God's protection. This encounter is a confrontation between the true God and the false gods of Baal, setting the stage for a dramatic demonstration of God's power.

and I will send rain
The promise of rain is a sign of God's mercy and faithfulness. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan) for "send" conveys the idea of giving or bestowing, indicating that rain is a gift from God, a symbol of His grace and provision. This promise is contingent upon Elijah's obedience and the people's repentance, illustrating the conditional nature of God's blessings in response to human actions.

upon the face of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's provision. The Hebrew "פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה" (penei ha'adamah) for "face of the earth" suggests a renewal and restoration of the land, which had suffered under the drought. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to restore and sustain life. This promise of rain is not just a physical blessing but a spiritual renewal for the nation of Israel, calling them back to faithfulness and dependence on God.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) The third year.--By the accurate tradition, preserved in Luke 4:25, James 5:17, it would seem that the drought lasted "three years and six months." If, therefore, the expression in the text is to be taken literally, it must be reckoned from the beginning of the visit to Zarephath.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - And it came to pass after [This word is wanting in the Heb. except in a few MSS.] many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year [From what date is this "third year" to be counted? The prima facie view is that the words refer to "these years" mentioned in 1 Kings 17:1, i.e., to the date of the announcement of the drought, and this is the interpretation of the Rabbins and some of the moderns. But it is almost fatal to this view that the duration of the drought is distinctly stated in the New Testament to have been "three years and six months" (Luke 4:25; James 5:17). It is every way better, therefore, to connect the words with 1 Kings 17:7, i.e., with the date of the sojourn at Zarephath. It follows hence that the prophet spent about one year in the Wady Cherith, and two and a half in the house of the widow], saying, Go, show thyself [Heb. be seen] unto Ahab; and I will send [Heb. give] rain upon the earth. [Heb. on the face of the ground. Cf. 1 Kings 17:14.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

After
וַיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a long
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

time,
יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

in the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ית (haš·šə·lî·šîṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

year [of the drought],
בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה (baš·šā·nāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

the word
וּדְבַר־ (ū·ḏə·ḇar-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

came
הָיָה֙ (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Elijah:
אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

“Go
לֵ֚ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and present
הֵרָאֵ֣ה (hê·rā·’êh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

yourself to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Ahab,
אַחְאָ֔ב (’aḥ·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet

and I will send
וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה (wə·’et·tə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

rain
מָטָ֖ר (mā·ṭār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4306: Rain

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the face
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the earth.”
הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

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OT History: 1 Kings 18:1 It happened after many days that (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)