1 Kings 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

◄ 1 Kings 18:4 ►

New International Version
While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

New Living Translation
Once when Jezebel had tried to kill all the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 of them in two caves. He put fifty prophets in each cave and supplied them with food and water.)

English Standard Version
and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)

Berean Standard Bible
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

King James Bible
For 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.)

New King James Version
For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.)

New American Standard Bible
for when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

NASB 1995
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

NASB 1977
for it came about, when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened that when Jezebel was cutting down the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.)

Amplified Bible
for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

Christian Standard Bible
and took a hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the LORD’s prophets.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and took 100 prophets and hid them, 50 men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the LORD’s prophets.

American Standard Version
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

English Revised Version
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off 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.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(When Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave and kept them alive by providing bread and water for them.)

Good News Translation
and when Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah took a hundred of them, hid them in caves in two groups of fifty, and provided them with food and water.)

International Standard Version
had taken 100 prophets and had hidden them by fifties in a cave, providing them with food and water when Jezebel was trying to destroy the LORD's prophets.

Majority Standard Bible
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

NET Bible
When Jezebel was killing the LORD's prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of fifty. He also brought them food and water.)

New Heart English Bible
And it came about, when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them, fifty by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Webster's Bible Translation
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

World English Bible
for when Jezebel cut off Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, in Jezebel’s cutting off the prophets of YHWH, that Obadiah takes one hundred prophets, and hides them, fifty men in a cave, and has sustained them with bread and water—

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, in Jezebel's cutting off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah taketh a hundred prophets, and hideth them, fifty men in a cave, and hath sustained them with bread and water --

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in Jezebel's cutting off the prophets of Jehovah, and Obadiaha will take a hundred prophets, and hide fifty men in a cave, and he nourished them with bread and water.)

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For when Jezabel killed the prophets of the Lord, he took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifty and fifty in caves, and fed them with bread and water.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord, he took one hundred prophets, and concealed them, fifty and fifty, in caves. And he fed them with bread and water.

New American Bible
When Jezebel was slaughtering the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them away by fifties in caves, and supplied them with food and water.

New Revised Standard Version
when Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them fifty to a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For when Jezebel slew the prophets of God, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Izabeil killed the Prophets of God, Oubdaya brought a hundred Prophets and hid them, fifty men at a time in a cave, and he sustained them with bread and with water.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
for 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.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Elijah Confronts Ahab
…3and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, 4for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.) 5Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

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.”

Matthew 23:34-35
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 4:25-26
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. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.

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.

Revelation 11:3-6
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” / These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. / If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. ...

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. ...

John 15:20
Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Jeremiah 26:20-23
Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. / King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. ...

2 Chronicles 22:9-12
Then Jehu looked for Ahaziah, and Jehu’s soldiers captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. So Ahaziah was brought to Jehu and put to death. They buried him, for they said, “He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.” So no one was left from the house of Ahaziah with the strength to rule the kingdom. / When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. / But Jehoshabeath daughter of King Jehoram took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid Joash from Athaliah so that she could not kill him. ...

2 Kings 6:31-32
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!” / Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

2 Kings 9:7
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.

1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

Treasury of Scripture

For 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.)

Jezebel [heb] Izabel

Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

Matthew 21:35
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Revelation 17:4-6
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: …

in a cave

Hebrews 11:38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

fed them

1 Kings 18:13
Was 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?

2 Kings 6:22,23
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master…

Matthew 10:40-42
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me…

bread and water

1 Kings 13:8,9,16
And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: …

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Bread Cave Caves Cut Destroyed Fed Fifties Fifty Food Hid Hidden Hideth Hole Hundred Jezebel Jez'ebel Jezebel's Kept Killing Lord's Maintained Obadiah Obadi'ah Prophets Provided Rock Secretly Supplied Sustained Time Water

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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

Jezebel had slaughtered
The name "Jezebel" is synonymous with idolatry and persecution of God's people. Historically, Jezebel was a Phoenician princess who married King Ahab of Israel, bringing with her the worship of Baal. The Hebrew root for "slaughtered" (טָבַח, tabach) implies a ruthless and deliberate act of killing. This highlights the severity of Jezebel's actions against the prophets, reflecting her deep-seated animosity towards the worship of Yahweh and her determination to eradicate His influence in Israel.

the prophets of the LORD
The "prophets of the LORD" were those who spoke on behalf of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. In a time when Israel was steeped in idolatry, these prophets were the remnant who remained faithful to God's commandments. The Hebrew term for "prophet" (נָבִיא, nabi) signifies one who is called or appointed to proclaim God's message. Their slaughter underscores the spiritual battle between the worship of Yahweh and the pagan practices introduced by Jezebel.

Obadiah had taken
Obadiah, whose name means "servant of Yahweh," is portrayed as a man of great courage and faith. Despite serving in Ahab's court, he remained loyal to God. The act of "taking" (לָקַח, laqach) the prophets indicates a deliberate and risky decision to protect them, showcasing his commitment to preserving the true worship of God amidst widespread apostasy.

a hundred prophets
The number "hundred" signifies completeness and sufficiency in biblical numerology. Obadiah's protection of "a hundred prophets" suggests a significant effort to preserve a remnant of God's messengers. This act of preservation is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to sustain His people even in the darkest times.

hidden them
The act of hiding (חָבָא, chaba) the prophets reflects a strategic and protective measure taken by Obadiah. In the context of persecution, hiding was necessary for survival. This action symbolizes God's providential care and the idea that He often works through human agents to accomplish His purposes.

fifty men to a cave
The division of the prophets into groups of "fifty" and placing them in a "cave" (מְעָרָה, me'arah) suggests a methodical approach to their protection. Caves were natural places of refuge and concealment in ancient Israel. This imagery evokes the idea of God as a refuge and fortress for His people, providing safety and shelter in times of trouble.

provided them with food and water
The provision of "food and water" (לֶחֶם וּמַיִם, lechem u'mayim) by Obadiah is a practical demonstration of God's care and sustenance. In a time of drought and famine, this provision is miraculous and underscores the theme of divine provision. It serves as a reminder that God meets the needs of His faithful servants, even when resources are scarce.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Jezebel cut off the prophets.--The persecution here referred to, in which for the first time the royal power was placed in distinct antagonism to the prophetic order, is only known by this allusion. It may probably have followed on the denunciation of judgment; and Elijah's retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijah's oft-repeated phrase, "I, even I, alone remain," is to be taken literally, Obadiah's merciful interposition must have availed only for a time, or have simply given opportunity of escape.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord [Our author now instances a proof of Obadiah's devotion. The incident to which he refers is otherwise unknown to us, nor can we refer it with certainty to its proper place in the history. But it is extremely probable that this work of extermination was begun as an act of reprisals for the drought denounced by Elijah. Ver. 13 almost implies that it had taken place during his absence. We see here, consequently, an additional reason for his flight (cf. 1 Kings 19:2). These "prophets" are the same as those elsewhere called the "sons of the prophets, i.e., members of the prophetic schools; cf. 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, etc.] that Obadiah took an hundred prophets [This would lead us to suppose that the great majority escaped. But see ver. 19 and 1 Kings 22:6. That we find so large a number still in the land, notwithstanding the exodus (2 Chronicles 11:16), and the steady growth of impiety, shows that God had not left Himself without witnesses], and hid them by fifty [Keil would insert a second הֲחמִשִׁים as do some MSS. (Gardiner), and as in ver. 13. Such a word might easily be omitted in transcription, it is true. But "proclivi lectioni," etc.] in a cave [Heb. the cave; but LXX. ἐν σπηλαὶῳ. Similarly in ver. 13. What is the force of the article here it is somewhat difficult to say. It has been suggested that these caves were in the sides of Mount Carmel; there are large caves under the western cliffs (Stanley); more than two thousand, according to others; "often of great length and extremely tortuous" (Dic. Bib. 1. p. 278); but this is mere guesswork, as Palestine, being of limestone formation, abounds in caverns. See Stanley, S. and P. pp. 151, 52. From the earliest times we find men - outlaws and the like - taking up their abode therein. Of. Joshua 10:17; Judges 6:2; 1 Samuel 22:1; Ezekiel 33:27; Hebrews 11:38. Probably the division into two companies was partly for the sake of security (see Genesis 22:8), and partly for the sake of convenience. The greater the number to be fed, the greater the chance of detection. Compare also Jacob's precautions Genesis 32:8], and fed them with bread [or, food] and water.) [It is to be observed, as bearing on 1 Kings 17:3-6, that these hundred prophets, though preserved by the special providence of God, were nevertheless maintained through human agency and by natural means.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

for when Jezebel
אִיזֶ֔בֶל (’î·ze·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 348: Jezebel -- queen of Israel with King Ahab

had slaughtered
בְּהַכְרִ֣ית (bə·haḵ·rîṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the prophets
נְבִאִ֗ים (nə·ḇi·’îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

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

Obadiah
עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ (‘ō·ḇaḏ·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5662: Obadiah -- 'servant of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

had taken
וַיִּקַּ֨ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a hundred
מֵאָ֣ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

prophets
נְבִיאֵ֣י (nə·ḇî·’ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

and hidden them,
וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵ֞ם (way·yaḥ·bî·’êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

men
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

per cave,
בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה (bam·mə·‘ā·rāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4631: A cavern

providing
וְכִלְכְּלָ֖ם (wə·ḵil·kə·lām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain

them with food
לֶ֥חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

and water.)
וָמָֽיִם׃ (wā·mā·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

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OT History: 1 Kings 18:4 For it was so when Jezebel cut (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)