1 Kings 19:14 "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."

◄ 1 Kings 19:14 ►

New International Version
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

New Living Translation
He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

English Standard Version
He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Berean Standard Bible
“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.”

King James Bible
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

New King James Version
And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life.”

NASB 1995
Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

NASB 1977
Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said, “I have been very zealous for Yahweh, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, pulled down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Amplified Bible
He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts (armies), because the sons of Israel have abandoned (broken) Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I, only I, am left; and they seek to take away my life.”

Christian Standard Bible
“I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”

American Standard Version
And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Contemporary English Version
Elijah answered, "LORD God All-Powerful, I've always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!"

English Revised Version
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He answered, "LORD God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life."

Good News Translation
He answered, "LORD God Almighty, I have always served you--you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left--and they are trying to kill me."

International Standard Version
"I've been very zealous for the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies," he replied. "The Israelis have abandoned your covenant, demolished your altars, executed your prophets with swords, and I—that's right, just me!—am the only one left. Now they're seeking my life, to get rid of me!"

Majority Standard Bible
“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.”

NET Bible
He answered, "I have been absolutely loyal to the LORD, the sovereign God, even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

World English Bible
He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he says, “I have been very zealous for YHWH, God of Hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, they have thrown down Your altars, and they have slain Your prophets by the sword, and I am left, I, by myself, and they seek my life—to take it.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'I have been very zealous for Jehovah, God of Hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, Thine altars they have thrown down, and Thy prophets they have slain by the sword, and I am left, I, by myself, and they seek my life -- to take it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Being zealous, I was zealous for Jehovah the God of armies, for the sons of Israel forsook thy covenant; thine altars they tore down, and thy prophets they killed with the sword, and I alone shall be left; and they will seek my soul to take it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant: they have destroyed thy altars, they have slain thy prophets with the sword, and I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“I have been very zealous on behalf of the Lord, the God of hosts. For the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant. They have torn down your altars. They have killed your prophets with the sword. I alone remain. And they are seeking my life, so that they may take it away.”

New American Bible
He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.”

New Revised Standard Version
He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he said, I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts, because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “Being zealous, I have been zealous for LORD JEHOVAH, God of Hosts, for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, they have overthrown your altars and they have murdered your Prophets with the sword, and I am left, I alone, and behold, they seek to take my life!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Eliu said, I have been very jealous for the Lord Almighty; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, and they have overthrown thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword! and I am left entirely alone, and they seek my life to take it.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb
…13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14“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.” 15Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 11:3
“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”?

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Jeremiah 26:8-9
and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! / How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

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—

Isaiah 49:4
But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”

Hebrews 11:37-38
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. / The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

Psalm 69:9
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Jeremiah 2:30
“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”

John 15:18-21
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / 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. ...

2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.

Psalm 94:5-7
They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage. / They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless. / They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

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.

Jeremiah 11:19
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Treasury of Scripture

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

I have been

1 Kings 19:9,10
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? …

Isaiah 62:1,6,7
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth…

forsaken

Deuteronomy 29:25
Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

Deuteronomy 31:20
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.

Psalm 78:37
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

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Altars Armies Children Covenant Forsaken Hosts Israel Jealous Life Prophets Seek Slain Sword Thrown

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1 Kings 19

1. Elijah, threatened by Jezebel, flees to Beersheba
4. In the desert, being weary of his life, he is comforted by an angel
9. At Horeb God appears unto him, sending him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha
19. Elisha, taking leave of his friends, follows Elijah

Berean Study Bible

He replied
This phrase indicates Elijah's response to God, highlighting a moment of deep personal expression. The Hebrew root for "replied" is "עָנָה" (anah), which can mean to answer or respond. This suggests a dialogue, a two-way communication between Elijah and God, emphasizing the personal relationship and the openness Elijah feels in expressing his distress.

I have been very zealous
The word "zealous" comes from the Hebrew "קַנָּא" (qanna), which conveys a sense of passionate commitment and fervor. Elijah's zeal reflects his intense dedication to God's cause, a fervor that is both commendable and consuming. Historically, zeal was a driving force for prophets, often leading them to confront idolatry and apostasy with boldness.

for the LORD, the God of Hosts
This title for God, "the God of Hosts," or "Yahweh Sabaoth," underscores His supreme authority over the heavenly armies. It reflects God's power and sovereignty, reassuring Elijah of God's ultimate control over the situation. The use of this title in Elijah's speech highlights his recognition of God's majesty and his own role as a servant of this mighty God.

The Israelites have forsaken Your covenant
The term "forsaken" comes from the Hebrew "עָזַב" (azab), meaning to leave or abandon. This phrase captures the spiritual apostasy of the Israelites, who have turned away from the covenant established with God. The covenant was central to Israel's identity, and forsaking it was a grave sin, leading to national and spiritual consequences.

torn down Your altars
Altars were places of worship and sacrifice, central to the Israelites' religious life. The act of tearing them down signifies a rejection of worship and a turn towards idolatry. Archaeological findings have uncovered altars and high places, providing context to the physical and spiritual destruction Elijah laments.

and killed Your prophets with the sword
This phrase highlights the violent opposition faced by God's messengers. The prophets were God's mouthpieces, and their persecution reflects the people's rejection of divine truth. Historically, this period was marked by intense conflict between the worship of Yahweh and Baal, with prophets often caught in the crossfire.

I am the only one left
Elijah's feeling of isolation is palpable here. The Hebrew "לְבַדִּי" (levaddi) emphasizes his sense of being alone. This reflects a common prophetic experience of standing against the tide of popular opinion and apostasy. Elijah's lament is both personal and prophetic, capturing the loneliness of his mission.

and they are seeking my life as well
This phrase reveals the immediate danger Elijah faces. The pursuit of his life underscores the hostility towards God's prophets and the personal cost of his ministry. It also sets the stage for God's reassurance and the revelation that Elijah is not truly alone, as God has preserved a remnant.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. [Verbatim as in ver. 10. What are we to understand from this repetition of the former answer? Has the lesson of this theophany been lost upon him? Has he failed to grasp its significance? It is probable that he only partially understood its meaning, and it certainly looks as if he still felt himself an injured and disappointed man; as if the recollection of the way in which his work had been frustrated still rankled in his soul. But though the words are the same, it is possible, and indeed probable, that the tone was entirely different; that instead of speaking, as he had spoken before, querulously and almost defiantly, he now, catching his inspiration from the still small voice, speaks with bated breath and profound self humiliation. The facts are the same. He repeats them, because they and they alone explain why he is there, and because he cannot see as yet how they are to be remedied. But he is now conscious of a misgiving as to the wisdom and piety of his course. He feels he has acted hastily and faithlessly, and has wanted to do God's work in his own rough way. He will go back, if it be God's will; he will be content to wait God's time, and to follow His leading. The commission which is straightway given him almost proves that he had experienced a change. It implies that he is now fitted for his high ministry.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“I have been very zealous
קַנֹּ֨א (qan·nō)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious

for the LORD,
לַיהוָ֣ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Hosts,”
צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

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

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

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

have forsaken
עָזְב֤וּ (‘ā·zə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

Your covenant,
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ (ḇə·rî·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

torn down
הָרָ֔סוּ (hā·rā·sū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy

Your altars,
מִזְבְּחֹתֶ֣יךָ (miz·bə·ḥō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

and killed
הָרְג֣וּ (hā·rə·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

Your prophets
נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ (nə·ḇî·’e·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

with the sword.
בֶחָ֑רֶב (ḇe·ḥā·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

I
אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the only one
לְבַדִּ֔י (lə·ḇad·dî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

left,
וָאִוָּתֵ֤ר (wā·’iw·wā·ṯêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

and they are seeking
וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ (way·ḇaq·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

my life {as well}.”
נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

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OT History: 1 Kings 19:14 He said I have been very jealous (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)