1 Kings 18:27
New International Version
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”

New Living Translation
About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!”

English Standard Version
And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

Berean Standard Bible
At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.”

New American Standard Bible
And at noon Elijah ridiculed them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, since he is a god; undoubtedly he is attending to business, or is on the way, or is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep, and will awaken.”

NASB 1995
It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”

NASB 1977
And it came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or relieving himself, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”

Amplified Bible
At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied, or he is out [at the moment], or he is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened!”

Christian Standard Bible
At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!”

American Standard Version
And 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 on a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked.

Contemporary English Version
At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. "Pray louder!" he said. "Baal must be a god. Maybe he's daydreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up."

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At noon Elijah started to make fun of them. "Shout louder, since he is a god. Maybe he's thinking, relieving himself, or traveling! Maybe he's sleeping, and you have to wake him!"

Good News Translation
At noon Elijah started making fun of them: "Pray louder! He is a god! Maybe he is day-dreaming or relieving himself, or perhaps he's gone off on a trip! Or maybe he's sleeping, and you've got to wake him up!"

International Standard Version
Starting about noon, Elijah began to tease them: "Shout louder! "He's a god, so maybe he's busy. "Maybe he's relieving himself. "Maybe he's busy someplace. "Maybe he's taking a nap and somebody needs to wake him up."

Majority Standard Bible
At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”

NET Bible
At noon Elijah mocked them, "Yell louder! After all, he is a god; he may be deep in thought, or perhaps he stepped out for a moment or has taken a trip. Perhaps he is sleeping and needs to be awakened."

New Heart English Bible
And it came about, at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Maybe he is thinking about it, or he is busy, or he is on a trip, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened."

Webster's Bible Translation
And 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 on a journey, or perhaps he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

World English Bible
At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is deep in thought, or he has gone somewhere, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at noon, that Elijah mocks at them and says, “Call with a loud voice, for he [is] a god, for he is meditating, or pursuing, or on a journey; it may be he is asleep, and awakes.”

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at noon, that Elijah playeth on them, and saith, 'Call with a loud voice, for he is a god, for he is meditating, or pursuing, or on a journey; it may be he is asleep, an doth awake.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be at noon, and Elijah will deride upon them, and he will say, Call with a great voice, for he a god: for he is talking, and because a withdrawing to him, and because a way to him, perhaps he is sleeping, and he will awake.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when it was now noon, Elias jested at them, saying: Cry with a louder voice: for he is a God, and perhaps he is talking, or is in an inn, or on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep, and must be awaked.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when it was now midday, Elijah ridiculed them, saying: “Cry out with a louder voice. For he is a god, and perhaps he is talking, or at an inn, or on a journey, or certainly he may be asleep, and must be awakened.”

New American Bible
When it was noon, Elijah taunted them: “Call louder, for he is a god; he may be busy doing his business, or may be on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

New Revised Standard Version
At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when it was noon, Elijah mocked them and said, Cry with a loud voice; for he is a god; perhaps he is meditating or he is busy or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when it was noon, Elyah laughed at them and he said: “Call in a loud voice, because he is a god! Maybe he is in meditation, or perhaps is visiting a property, or maybe he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and he will be awakened!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah on Mount Carmel
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. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” 28So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.…

Cross References
Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...

Isaiah 44:9-20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

Jeremiah 10:3-5
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Judges 10:14
Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”

Deuteronomy 32:37-38
He will say: “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, / which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let them give you shelter!

1 Samuel 5:3-5
When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. / But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained. / That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all who enter the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on the threshold.

2 Kings 19:18
They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.

Isaiah 41:21-24
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. / “Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming. / Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. ...

Isaiah 46:5-7
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Jeremiah 2:28
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

Jeremiah 10:14-15
Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

Habakkuk 2:18-19
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.

Matthew 27:46-49
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” / When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.” / One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And 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 sleeps, and must be awaked.

Elijah

1 Kings 22:15
So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

2 Chronicles 25:8
But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

aloud [heb] with a great voice

Isaiah 41:23
Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

he is talking.

Psalm 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Psalm 78:65,66
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine…

Psalm 121:4
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Jump to Previous
Aloud Asleep Awaked Awakened Busy Cry Deep Either Elijah Gone Journey Loud Maybe Middle Mocked Musing Needs Noon Occupied Peradventure Perhaps Purpose Pursuing Shout Sleepeth Sleeps Surely Talking Taunt Thought Traveling Voice
Jump to Next
Aloud Asleep Awaked Awakened Busy Cry Deep Either Elijah Gone Journey Loud Maybe Middle Mocked Musing Needs Noon Occupied Peradventure Perhaps Purpose Pursuing Shout Sleepeth Sleeps Surely Talking Taunt Thought Traveling Voice
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














At noon
The timing of "at noon" is significant in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. Noon was often considered the peak time for the sun god, Baal, to demonstrate his power. Elijah's choice to begin his taunting at this time underscores the impotence of Baal, as even at the height of his supposed power, he remains silent. This highlights the futility of idol worship and sets the stage for the demonstration of the true God's power.

Elijah began to taunt them
The Hebrew root for "taunt" (הָתַל, hatal) implies a mocking or derisive tone. Elijah's boldness in mocking the prophets of Baal reflects his confidence in the LORD, the God of Israel. This act of taunting serves to expose the falsehood of Baal worship and challenge the people of Israel to recognize the LORD as the one true God. Elijah's actions are not merely for ridicule but are a prophetic demonstration meant to turn the hearts of the people back to God.

'Shout louder!' he said
Elijah's command to "shout louder" is a direct challenge to the prophets of Baal to intensify their efforts. This phrase underscores the desperation and futility of their cries to a god who cannot hear or respond. It serves as a stark contrast to the God of Israel, who hears and answers the prayers of His people. The irony in Elijah's words is palpable, as he knows that no amount of shouting will awaken a non-existent deity.

'For he is a god; perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling
This phrase is laden with sarcasm. The suggestion that Baal might be "deep in thought" or "busy" (the Hebrew word here can also mean "pursuing" or "occupied") mocks the idea that a true god could be preoccupied with mundane activities. The notion of a god "traveling" further ridicules the belief in Baal's omnipresence and omnipotence. Elijah's sarcasm serves to highlight the absurdity of attributing divine attributes to idols, contrasting sharply with the omniscient and omnipresent nature of the God of Israel.

Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened
The idea that a god could be "sleeping" is a direct affront to the nature of a deity. In the ancient world, gods were often anthropomorphized, but Elijah's suggestion that Baal might need to be "awakened" underscores the impotence and non-existence of Baal. This stands in stark contrast to the God of Israel, who "will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4). Elijah's words are a powerful reminder of the vigilance and ever-present nature of the true God, who is always attentive to the cries of His people.

(27) Elijah mocked them.--The mockery of Elijah--apparently even blunter and more scornful in the sense of the original--has been with over-ingenuity explained as applying to various supposed actions of Baal. It is merely the bitter irony of sheer contempt, calling Baal a god only to heap upon him ideas most ungodlike; "He is busy, or he is in retirement; he is far away, or in the noon-day heat he is asleep." Characteristic of the fierce indignation of Elijah's nature, in this crisis of conflict, it is yet not unlike the righteous scorn of the psalmists or the prophets (see Psalm 115:4-8; Psalm 135:15-18; Isaiah 44:9-20; Isaiah 46:1-7; Jeremiah 10:2-10, &c.) for the worship of "the vanities" of the heathen. There was no place for toleration of prejudice, or tender appreciation of a blind worship feeling after God, like that of St. Paul at Athens (Acts 17:22-23). The conflict here was between spiritual worship and a foul, cruel idolatry; and the case was not of heathen ignorance, but of Israel's apostasy. . . . Verse 27. - And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked [or deceived] them, and said, Cry aloud [Heb. with a great voice]: for he is a god [i.e., in your estimation. "Here is one of the few examples of irony in Scripture" (Wordsworth)]; either he is talking [the marg. he meditateth is preferable. Cf. 1 Samuel 1:16; Psalm 142:3. But the word has both meanings (see 2 Kings 9:11), fairly preserved in the LXX., ἀδολεσχία αὐτῷ ἐστι], or he is pursuing [Heb. for he hath a withdrawal, i.e., for the purpose of relieving himself. A euphemism. Cf. Judges 3:24; 1 Samuel 24:3. Stanley attempts to preserve the paronomasia, שִׂיג שִׂיח, by the translation, "he has his head full" and "he has his stomach full"], or he is in a Journey [the thrice repeated כִּי must be noticed. It heightens the effect of the mockery], or peradventure he sleepeth [Though it was noon, it is not clear that there is a reference to the usual midday siesta of the East], and must be awaked.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At noon
בַֽצָּהֳרַ֜יִם (ḇaṣ·ṣā·ho·ra·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6672: A light, double light, noon

Elijah
אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ (’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

began to taunt
וַיְהַתֵּ֧ל (way·hat·têl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2048: To deride, to cheat

them,
בָּהֶ֣ם (bā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

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

“Shout
קִרְא֤וּ (qir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

louder,
גָּדוֹל֙ (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he is
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

a god!
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Perhaps he is deep in thought,
שִׂ֧יחַ (śî·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7879: A contemplation, an utterance

or occupied,
שִׂ֛יג (śîḡ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7873: A withdrawal

or on a journey.
דֶ֣רֶךְ (ḏe·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

Perhaps
אוּלַ֛י (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

he is
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

sleeping
יָשֵׁ֥ן (yā·šên)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3463: Sleeping

and must be awakened!”
וְיִקָֽץ׃ (wə·yi·qāṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3364: To awake


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:27 It happened at noon that Elijah mocked (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:26
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