1 Kings 18:25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire."

◄ 1 Kings 18:25 ►

New International Version
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”

New Living Translation
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.”

English Standard Version
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

New American Standard Bible
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose the one ox for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the ox.”

NASB 1995
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

NASB 1977
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but place no fire under it.”

Amplified Bible
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, since there are many of you; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Elijah said to Baal's prophets, "There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god."

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves. Prepare yours first, because there are more of you. Call on the name of your god, but don't set the wood on fire."

Good News Translation
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Since there are so many of you, you take a bull and prepare it first. Pray to your god, but don't set fire to the wood."

International Standard Version
So Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose an ox for yourselves and you prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but don't set fire to the offering."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”

NET Bible
Elijah told the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls for yourselves and go first, for you are the majority. Invoke the name of your god, but do not light a fire."

New Heart English Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves, and prepare it first, for you are the majority, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elijah said to 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.

World English Bible
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Elijah says to the prophets of Ba‘al, “Choose one bullock for yourselves, and prepare [it] first, for you [are] the multitude, and call in the name of your god, and place no fire.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Elijah saith to the prophets of Baal, 'Choose for you the one bullock, and prepare first, for ye are the multitude, and call ye in the name of your god, and place no fire.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elijah will say to the prophets of Baal, Choose for yourselves the one bullock, and do first, for ye are many; and call upon the name of your god, and ye shall not put fire.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Elias said to the prophets of Baal: Choose you one bullock and dress it first, because you are many: and call on the names of your gods, but put no fire under.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal: “Choose for yourselves one ox, and prepare it first. For you are many. And call on the names of your gods, but do not place fire under it.”

New American Bible
Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose for yourselves one bullock, and prepare it first; for you are many;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elyah said to the sons of Baala: “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, because you are many.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Elijah on Mount Carmel
…24Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” 25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 7:11-12
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

2 Kings 1:9-12
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

Jeremiah 23:13
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Revelation 13:13-14
And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. / Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Acts 8:9-11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

Ezekiel 13:6-9
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ...

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Treasury of Scripture

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

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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

Then Elijah said
Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," stands as a pivotal prophet in Israel's history. His role is not just as a messenger but as a reformer, challenging the prevailing idolatry. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, emphasizing the authority and confidence with which Elijah speaks. This moment is a confrontation between the true God and the false gods, highlighting Elijah's role as God's chosen instrument.

to the prophets of Baal
Baal was a prominent Canaanite deity, often associated with fertility and storms. The "prophets of Baal" were numerous, indicating the widespread apostasy in Israel. Historically, Baal worship was deeply entrenched in the region, often involving rituals that were abhorrent to the God of Israel. This confrontation is not just a religious debate but a cultural and spiritual battle for the heart of the nation.

Choose for yourselves one bull
The act of choosing a bull is significant, as bulls were often used in sacrifices to symbolize strength and fertility. The Hebrew word for "choose" (בָּחַר, bachar) suggests a deliberate selection, emphasizing the fairness of the challenge. Elijah's instruction allows the prophets of Baal to have the first choice, removing any claim of bias or manipulation in the impending demonstration of divine power.

and prepare it first
Preparation here involves the ritualistic practices associated with sacrifices. The Hebrew root (עָשָׂה, asah) for "prepare" implies making or doing, indicating the detailed and careful process involved. Elijah's command to prepare the bull first underscores his confidence in God's power, as he allows the prophets of Baal every advantage in the contest.

since there are so many of you
This phrase highlights the numerical superiority of the prophets of Baal, which contrasts with Elijah's solitary stance. The multitude of Baal's prophets underscores the widespread acceptance of idolatry in Israel. Yet, Elijah's faith is not in numbers but in the power of the one true God, illustrating a key biblical theme: God often works through a faithful remnant.

Call on the name of your god
The act of calling on a deity's name was central to ancient Near Eastern religious practices, signifying an appeal for divine intervention. The Hebrew word for "call" (קָרָא, qara) implies a loud proclamation or invocation. This challenge is a test of Baal's power and presence, setting the stage for a dramatic demonstration of the impotence of false gods compared to Yahweh.

but do not light the fire
This restriction is crucial, as it sets the parameters for the divine test. The absence of human intervention in lighting the fire ensures that the outcome will be attributed solely to divine action. The Hebrew root for "light" (שָׂם, sum) means to set or place, emphasizing the prohibition against human manipulation. This condition underscores the authenticity of the miracle that is about to unfold, highlighting God's sovereignty and power.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [or offer, as in ver. 23] it first; for ye are many [Heb. the many. Every pre-eminence and advantage which he gives to them will make his triumph, when it comes, all the greater. It is quite possible that he meant again to hint at their immense superiority in point of numbers. But no doubt he was only too glad to find a reason for their taking the lead. "He is anxious that their inability shall be fully manifested before he shows his own power" (Rawlinson). Whether the idea was also present in his mind that they "could prepare their victim in a much shorter time than he could prepare his" (ib.) is by no means so certain]; and call on the name of your gods [or god, i.e., Baal], but put no fire under. [The repetition (cf. ver. 24) shows that the ordeal was proposed separately to the people and the prophets.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Elijah
אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ (’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

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the prophets
לִנְבִיאֵ֣י (lin·ḇî·’ê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

of Baal,
הַבַּ֗עַל (hab·ba·‘al)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god

“Since
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַתֶּ֖ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are so numerous,
הָרַבִּ֑ים (hā·rab·bîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

choose
בַּחֲר֨וּ (ba·ḥă·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 977: To try, select

for yourselves
לָכֶ֜ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

one
הָֽאֶחָד֙ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

bull
הַפָּ֤ר (hap·pār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer

and prepare
וַעֲשׂ֣וּ (wa·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

it first.
רִאשֹׁנָ֔ה (ri·šō·nāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

Then call
וְקִרְאוּ֙ (wə·qir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

on the name
בְּשֵׁ֣ם (bə·šêm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of your god,
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

but do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

light
תָשִֽׂימוּ׃ (ṯā·śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the fire.”
וְאֵ֖שׁ (wə·’êš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

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OT History: 1 Kings 18:25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)