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Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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Christian Standard Bible ®

1 Kings 18:19

Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ahab;   Carmel;   Elijah;   Feasts;   Groves;   Jezebel;   Religion;   Reproof;   Revivals;   Thompson Chain Reference - Baal;   Carmel, Mount;   Elijah;   False;   Gods, False;   High Places;   Idolatry;   Images;   Jezebel;   Mountains;   Places;   Queens;   Table;   Women;   Worship, False;   Worship, True and False;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Idolatry;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Carmel;   Groves;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Asherah, asherim;   Baal;   Carmel;   Elijah;   Jezebel;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gods and Goddesses, Pagan;   Miracle;   Persecution;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hospitality;   Zeal;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ashtoreth;   Baal;   Carmel;   Jezebel;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ashtoreth;   Baal (1);   Grove;   Hill;   Jezebel;   Zedekiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ahab;   Asherah;   Baal;   Bread;   Carmel;   Carmel, Mount;   Elijah;   Fertility Cult;   Jezebel;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Mountain;   Queen;   Table;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ahab;   Asherah;   Carmel;   Haggai;   Jezebel;   Magic, Divination, and Sorcery;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ahab ;   Baal, Baalim ;   Carmel ;   Jezebel ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Mount carmel;   Obadiah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Asherah;   Ashtaroth;   Baal;   Elijah;   Grove;   Jezebel;   Jezreel;   Smith Bible Dictionary - A'hab;   Ash'erah;   Ba'al,;   Jez'ebel;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Israel;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ahab;   Asherah;   Baal (1);   Elijah;   Four;   Jezebel;   Relationships, Family;   Table;   Woman;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ashtoreth;   Baal;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Asherah;  

Parallel Translations

Legacy Standard Bible
So now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel vnto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal foure hundred and fiftie, and the prophets of the [idols] groues foure hundred, which eate at Iezabels table.
New King James Version
Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, [fn] who eat at Jezebel's table."
Literal Translation
And now send, gather all Israel to me, to Mount Carmel and four hundred and fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the sacred pole, who eat at the table of Jezebel.
Easy-to-Read Version
Now tell all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Also bring the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah, who get their support from Queen Jezebel."
Revised Standard Version
Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Ba'al and the four hundred prophets of Ashe'rah, who eat at Jez'ebel's table."
World English Bible
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.
King James Version (1611)
Now therefore send, and gather to mee all Israel vnto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal foure hundred and fiftie, and the prophets of the groues foure hundred, which eate at Iezebels table.
King James Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Go to, sende forth now, and gather me all Israel together vnto mount Carmell, and the foure hundreth and fiftye prophetes of Baal, and the foure hundreth prophetes of ye groue, which eate of Iesabels table.
American Standard Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.
Bible in Basic English
Now send, and get Israel together before me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal who get their food at Jezebel's table.
Update Bible Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.
Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.
New English Translation
Now send out messengers and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports.
Contemporary English Version
Call together everyone from Israel and have them meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now order all Isra'el to assemble before me on Mount Karmel, along with the 450 prophets of Ba‘al and the 400 prophets of the asherah who eat at Izevel's table."
Darby Translation
And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel vnto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal foure hundreth and fiftie, and the prophets of the groues foure hundreth, which eate at Iezebels table.
George Lamsa Translation
Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel at mount Carmel and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty and the prophets of the idols four hundred and fifty who eat at Jezebels table.
Amplified Bible
"Now then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of [the goddess] Asherah, who eat at [Queen] Jezebel's table."
Hebrew Names Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Yisra'el to Mount Karmel, and the prophets of Ba`al four hundred fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Izevel's table.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel's table.'
New Living Translation
Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel."
New Life Bible
So now call together all Israel to me at Mount Carmel. And gather together 450 men who speak for Baal and 400 men who speak for the false goddess Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
New Revised Standard
Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of shame four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, that eat at Jezabel’s table.
English Revised Version
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
Berean Standard Bible
Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, therefore, send, gather unto me all Israel, unto Mount Carmel, - and the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Sacred Stem, four hundred, who do eat at the table of Jezebel.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Nevertheless send now, and gather unto me all Israel, unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezabel’s table.
Lexham English Bible
So then, send word and assemble all of Israel to me on Mount Carmel, with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at the table of Jezebel."
English Standard Version
Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
New American Standard Bible
"Now then, send orders and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
New Century Version
Now tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Also bring the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
Good News Translation
Now order all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah who are supported by Queen Jezebel."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Netheles now sende thou, and gadere to me al Israel, in the hil of Carmele, and foure hundrid and fifti prophetis of Baal, and foure hundrid prophetis of woodis, that eten of the table of Jezabel.
Young's Literal Translation
and now, send, gather unto me all Israel, unto the mount of Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the shrine, four hundred -- eating at the table of Jezebel.'

Contextual Overview

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is that you, you destroyer of Israel?" 18 He replied, "I have not destroyed Israel, but you and your father's house have, because you have abandoned the Lord 's commands and followed the Baals. 19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table." 20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

mount Carmel: Mount Carmel is situated north of Dora and south of Ptolemais or Acre, from which it is distant, according to Josephus, 120 stadia, or, according to Thevenot, 10 miles; one of its principal points advancing considerably into the Mediterranean, and forming an elevated promontory. It is described as a flattened cone, about 2,000 feet (some say 1,500) in height, very rocky, its sides steep and rugged, and the soil neither deep nor rich. Capt. Mangles says its is now quite barren, though at the north-eastern foot of it there are some pretty olive-grounds. 1 Kings 18:42, 1 Kings 18:43, Joshua 19:26, 1 Samuel 15:12, 2 Kings 2:25, Jeremiah 46:18, Amos 1:2, Amos 9:3

the prophets of Baal: 1 Kings 22:6, 2 Peter 2:1, Revelation 19:20

prophets of the groves: 1 Kings 15:13, 1 Kings 16:33, 2 Kings 13:6, Though ashairah certainly denotes in some place a grove, yet it is equally certain, that in others, as here, it must signify an idol; and it is thought by learned men to be the same as Ashtoreth, or Astarte the Syrian Venus.

eat at Jezebel's table: 1 Kings 19:1, 1 Kings 19:2, 2 Kings 9:22, Revelation 2:20

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 18:20 - in the name Judges 3:7 - the groves 1 Kings 16:31 - Jezebel 1 Kings 18:22 - Baal's prophets 2 Kings 3:13 - the prophets 2 Kings 4:25 - to mount 2 Kings 10:11 - his priests 2 Kings 10:18 - Ahab served Baal 2 Kings 10:20 - Proclaim 2 Kings 23:4 - Baal 2 Chronicles 18:5 - prophets Nehemiah 5:17 - at my table Isaiah 44:11 - let them all Hosea 9:8 - but Hosea 11:2 - they sacrificed Hosea 13:1 - offended

Cross-References

Genesis 18:2
He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground.
Genesis 18:4
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
Genesis 18:5
I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant's way. Later, you can continue on." "Yes," they replied, "do as you have said."
Genesis 18:6
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick! Knead three measures of fine flour and make bread."
Genesis 18:7
Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it.
Genesis 18:9
"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he answered.
Genesis 18:10
The Lord said, "I will certainly come back to you in about a year's time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!" Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. This is how the Lord will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him."
Genesis 18:20
Then the Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious.
Genesis 18:21
I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to Me. If not, I will find out."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel..... No doubt but more discourse passed between Ahab and Elijah, though not recorded, before he made this motion to him; it is very probable, that after some dispute between them, who was the true God, and about idolatry, as the cause of want of rain, Elijah proposed to the king what he afterwards did to the people, to which he could not object; and being desirous of gratifying his curiosity, and especially of having rain, which the prophet might promise him in the issue of this affair, he agreed unto it; and therefore Elijah desired that all Israel might be convened, that it might be openly and publicly done, and to the conviction and reformation of them, which was what was chiefly designed; and he chose Carmel, a mountain in the tribe of Issachar, well situated for the people that came from all parts; and the rather this than Samaria, that he might meet with no obstruction from Jezebel, and from whence: he might be able to see the rain when coming, as he did. Of this mountain, :-, to which may be added, the description of it by Mr. Sandys n.

"Mount Carmel stretcheth from east to west, and hath its uttermost basis washed with the sea; steepest towards the north, and of an indifferent altitude; rich in vines and olives when farmed, and abounding with several sorts of fruits and herbs, both medicinal and fragrant, though now much overgrown with woods and shrubs of sweet savour.''

From the following solemn transaction at it, it seems in later times, to have become sacred, and was very venerable with the Heathens; from this mountain, a deity with them had the name of Carmel, and was worshipped here, without an image or a temple, only had an altar erected for it, in imitation of the God of Israel, worshipped here in like manner; here Vespasian sacrificed to this deity, assisted by the priest of it, Basilides, as Tacitus o relates; Suetonius p also makes mention of this deity, and of Vespasian's consulting its oracle, which gave him hopes of obtaining the empire; and from hence, in Popish times, there were an order of friars called Carmelites, instituted in the year 1180, pretending to be the successors of the children of the prophets Elijah left there:

and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty; who are supposed to be dispersed in the various parts of the kingdom, to teach and practise the worship of Baal, and encourage and spread it in the nation:

and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table; for it seems there were now more groves than that one Ahab first made, 1 Kings 16:33, for which such numbers were appointed to attend, and which, perhaps, were near Samaria, since they ate at Jezebel's table, and were a sort of domestic chaplains of her's. "Asheroth", we render "groves", the learned Selden q takes to be Ashtoreth, or Ashtareth, or Astarte, the goddess of the Zidonians, for whom, and so for these prophets, Jezebel might have a peculiar respect, see 1 Kings 11:5.

n Travels, l. 3. p. 158. Ed. 5. o Hist. l. 2. c. 78. p Vit. Vespasian. c. 5. q De Dis Syris Syntagm. 2. c. 2. p. 232, &c.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Carmel (Joshua 12:22 note) was chosen by the prophet as the scene of the gathering to which he invited, or rather summoned, Ahab. Its thick jungles of copse and numerous dwarf-oaks and olives, would furnish abundant wood for his intended sacrifice. Here was a perennial fountain; and here again an ancient “altar of the Lord” 1 Kings 18:30, belonging probably to the old times of non-idolatrous high-place worship - perhaps an erection of one of the patriarchs. On the one hand, there would be a view of the Mediterranean, from where the first sign of rain was likely to come, and on the other of Jezreel, the residence of the court at the time, with its royal palace and its idol-temples, so that the intended trial would take place in the sight (so to speak) of the proud queen and her minions.

The prophets of Baal - The priests of Baal are so called not so much because they claimed a power of foretelling the future, as because they were “teachers” of the false religion, and more especially because they stand here in antagonism to the “prophet of the Lord,” with whom they are about to contend.

The prophets of the groves, four hundred - Rather, “of the grove” - the prophets, or priests, attached to the “grove” - אשׁרה 'ăshêrāh - which Ahab had made, probably at Jezreel (marginal reference). The number 400 seems to have been one especially affected by Ahab. We again find 400 prophets at the close of his reign 1 Kings 22:6. The number 40 entered largely into the religious system of the Jews 1 Kings 6:17; Exodus 26:19; Deuteronomy 25:3; Ezekiel 41:2.

Which eat at Jezebel’s table - Rather, “which eat from Jezebel’s table.” Oriental etiquette would not have allowed them to eat “at” the table of the queen, which was spread in the seraglio. They were fed from the superfluity of her daily provision, which was no doubt on a sumptuous scale. Compare 1 Kings 4:22-23.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 18:19. Gather to me all Israel — The heads of tribes and families; the rulers of the people.

The prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty - the prophets of the groves four hundred — The king and queen had different religious establishments; the king and his servants worshipped Baal, the supreme lord and master of the world, the sun. For this establishment four hundred and fifty priests were maintained. The queen and her women worshipped אשרה Asherah, Astarte, or Venus; and for this establishment four hundred priests were maintained. These latter were in high honour; they ate at Jezebel's table; they made a part of her household. It appears that those eight hundred and fifty priests were the domestic chaplains of the king and queen, and probably not all the priests that belonged to the rites of Baal and Asherah in the land; and yet from the following verse we learn that Ahab had sent to all the children of Israel to collect these prophets; but Jezebel had certainly four hundred of them in her own house who were not at the assembly mentioned here. Those of Baal might have a more extensive jurisdiction than those of Asherah, the latter being constantly resident in Samaria.


 
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