James 5:17
New International Version
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

New Living Translation
Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

English Standard Version
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
Elijah was a man of like nature to us, and with fervent prayer he prayed for it not to rain, and it did not rain upon the earth three years and six months.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

New American Standard Bible
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

NASB 1995
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

NASB 1977
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Legacy Standard Bible
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Amplified Bible
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

Christian Standard Bible
Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land.

American Standard Version
Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.

Contemporary English Version
Elijah was just as human as we are, and for three and a half years his prayers kept the rain from falling.

English Revised Version
Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elijah was human like us. Yet, when he prayed that it wouldn't rain, no rain fell on the ground for three-and-a-half years.

Good News Translation
Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years.

International Standard Version
Elijah was a person just like us, and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and rain never came to the land for three years and six months.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!

New Heart English Bible
Elijah was a human being with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

Webster's Bible Translation
Elijah 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.

Weymouth New Testament
Elijah was a man with a nature similar to ours, and he earnestly prayed that there might be no rain: and no rain fell on the land for three years and six months.

World English Bible
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Elijah was a similar-feeling man as us, and with prayer he prayed—not to rain, and it did not rain on the land three years and six months;

Berean Literal Bible
Elijah was a man of like nature to us, and with fervent prayer he prayed for it not to rain, and it did not rain upon the earth three years and six months.

Young's Literal Translation
Elijah was a man like affected as we, and with prayer he did pray -- not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land three years and six months;

Smith's Literal Translation
Elias was a man having similar feelings with us, and in prayer he prayed for it not to rain: and it rained not upon the earth for three years and six months.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth, and it rained not for three years and six months.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Elijah was a mortal man like us, and in prayer he prayed that it would not rain upon the earth. And it did not rain for three years and six months.

New American Bible
Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land.

New Revised Standard Version
Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Even Elijah, who was a weak man like ourselves, prayed earnestly that it might not rain upon the land, and it did not rain for three years and six months.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Elijah was a man subject to suffering like we, and he prayed that it would not rain on the land, and it did not come down for 3 years and six months;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Elijah was a man with passions like our own; and he earnestly prayed that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

Godbey New Testament
Elijah was a man of like suffering to us, and he prayed with prayer that it might not rain, and it rained not upon the earth during three years and six months;

Haweis New Testament
Elias was a man of like feelings with us, and he prayed fervently that it should not rain; and there fell no rain on the earth during three years and six months.

Mace New Testament
Elias was only a man, as we are; however, having ardently prayed, that it might not rain, it did not rain in that country for three years and a half:

Weymouth New Testament
Elijah was a man with a nature similar to ours, and he earnestly prayed that there might be no rain: and no rain fell on the land for three years and six months.

Worrell New Testament
Elijah was a man of like nature with us; and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months;

Worsley New Testament
Elias was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not upon the land for three years and six months:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Prayer of Faith
16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 17Elijah 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. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.…

Cross References
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!”

1 Kings 18:41-45
And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” / So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. / “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” ...

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.

Hebrews 11:33-34
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.

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...

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.”

2 Kings 1:10-12
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!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

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

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.”

1 Kings 19:4
while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

1 Kings 19:8
So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

1 Kings 19:15-18
Then 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. / You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. / Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu. ...

2 Kings 2:11
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.

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

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


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Elias.

1 Kings 17:1
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.

Elijah.

Acts 10:26
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

and he.

Romans 11:2
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

Revelation 11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

earnestly.

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;

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Affected Blood Earnestly Earth Elias Elijah Eli'jah Fell Fervently Flesh Half Months Nature Ours Ourselves Passions Prayed Prayer Rain Rained Similar Six Space Strong Subject Three Years
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James 5
1. Rich oppressors are to fear God's vengeance.
7. We ought to be patient in afflictions, after the example of the prophets, and Job;
12. to forbear swearing;
13. to pray in adversity, to sing in prosperity;
14. to acknowledge mutually our several faults, to pray one for another;
19. and to correct a straying brother.














Elijah was a man like us
The phrase "Elijah was a man like us" serves as a powerful reminder of the humanity and relatability of the prophet Elijah. In the original Greek, the word used here is "homoiopathēs," which means "of like nature" or "similar passions." This emphasizes that Elijah, despite his significant role as a prophet, shared the same human frailties and emotions as we do. Historically, Elijah is a towering figure in the Old Testament, known for his boldness and miraculous acts. Yet, James underscores that Elijah's effectiveness in prayer was not due to any superhuman quality but rather his faith and reliance on God. This serves as an encouragement to believers that they, too, can have a powerful prayer life.

He prayed earnestly
The phrase "He prayed earnestly" highlights the intensity and fervency of Elijah's prayer. The Greek word "proseuchē" is used for prayer, which denotes a deep, personal communication with God. The adverb "earnestly" suggests a sincere and heartfelt petition, indicating that Elijah's prayer was not a casual or routine act but a deliberate and passionate plea. This reflects the biblical principle that effective prayer is characterized by sincerity and fervor. The historical context of Elijah's prayer, found in 1 Kings 17, shows that his earnest prayer was aligned with God's will, demonstrating the power of prayer when it is in harmony with divine purposes.

that it would not rain
The specific request "that it would not rain" points to the miraculous nature of Elijah's prayer. In the historical context of ancient Israel, rain was crucial for survival, and a drought would have severe consequences. Elijah's prayer for no rain was a direct challenge to the worship of Baal, the Canaanite storm god, demonstrating the sovereignty of the God of Israel over nature. This act was not just a display of power but a call to repentance for the nation. Theologically, it underscores the authority given to God's servants to pray for His will to be done on earth, even in matters of nature.

and it did not rain on the land
The phrase "and it did not rain on the land" confirms the efficacy of Elijah's prayer. The Greek text emphasizes the certainty and fulfillment of the prayer's outcome. This historical event, recorded in 1 Kings 17-18, serves as a testament to the power of prayer and God's responsiveness to the petitions of His people. The land of Israel experienced a severe drought, which was a direct result of Elijah's prayer, highlighting the impact that one person's faith and prayer can have on a nation.

for three and a half years
The duration "for three and a half years" is significant both historically and symbolically. In the Jewish context, three and a half years, or "a time, times, and half a time," is often associated with periods of trial and judgment. This specific timeframe is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing a period of divine testing and purification. The historical account in 1 Kings 18 shows that this period of drought led to a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrated His power and called the people back to Himself. This serves as a reminder of God's control over time and events, and His desire for His people to return to Him in repentance and faith.

(17) Elias.--James supplies a lacuna in the story of Elijah. In 1Kings 17:1, the prophet simply and sternly tells Ahab "there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." Further on (1Kings 18:41-46) "there is a sound of abundance of rain." In our Epistle we read that Elias "prayed earnestly"--literally, prayed in his prayer, a Hebraistic form of emphasis (see margin). He asked for drought, and it lasted three years and a half, so that "there was a sore famine in Samaria." He prayed once more, and "the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain," and thus again "the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man." Yet Elijah was no demi-god; we even learn how he shrank from his prophet's yoke, and longed to die. No one therefore may despair in his petitions but rather let his "requests be made known unto God;" for "men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).

It rained not on the earth.--This Orientalism need not be a snare to the most literal of readers. The punishment, because of Ahab and Jezebel, fell on their own kingdom, and not the whole world. In a similar hyperbole Obadiah told Elijah, concerning this very famine, "there is no nation, or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee" (1Kings 18:10).

Verses 17, 18. - Illustration of the last statement of ver. 16, from the case of Elijah, "a righteous man" under the old covenant, but one "of like passions with us," and therefore one from whose case it is lawful to argue to our own. Subject to like passions as we are. Ὁμοιοπαθὴς ἡμῖν: simply "of like passions with us;" cf. Acts 14:15, where it is used in just the same way. In the LXX. only in Wisd. 7:3. He prayed earnestly. Προσευχῇ προσηύξατο: a Hebraism, not infrequent in the New Testament (see Luke 22:15; John 3:29; Acts 4:17; Acts 5:28; Acts 23:14), in imitation of the Hebrew dissolute infinitive (cf. Winer, p. 584). For the incident alluded to by St. James, see 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:1; but note

(1) that we are never told that the famine was in consequence of Elijah's prayer; and

(2) nothing is said of the duration of time (three years and a half) during which it rained not upon the earth. All we read is that "after many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year;" but there is no clear indication from what period this "third year" is dated. With regard to

(1), it may have been St. James's own inference from the narrative, or may have been due to tradition. With regard to . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Elijah
Ἠλίας (Ēlias)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2243: Elijah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Helias, an Israelite.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

just like
ὁμοιοπαθὴς (homoiopathēs)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3663: From homoios and the alternate of pascho; similarly affected.

us.
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

He prayed earnestly
προσευχῇ (proseuchē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4335: From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory.

[that it would] not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

rain,
βρέξαι (brexai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1026: To moisten, rain, send rain. A primary verb; to moisten.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

it did not rain
ἔβρεξεν (ebrexen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1026: To moisten, rain, send rain. A primary verb; to moisten.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

land
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

for three
τρεῖς (treis)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[a half]
ἕξ (hex)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1803: Six. A primary numeral; six.

years.
ἐνιαυτοὺς (eniautous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1763: A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.


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NT Letters: James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature (Ja Jas. Jam)
James 5:16
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