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1 Kings 18:21

BaalElijah
FaithObediencePraise and worshipFaithfulness and loyalty

19 Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.

Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

23 Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
KJV
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
WEB
Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.
ASV
And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
DARBY
Then Elijah drew near to all the people, and said, How long do ye halt between two opinions? if Jehovah be God, follow him; and if Baal, follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
BLB
And Elijah came to all the people and said, “Until when will you⁺ pass over between the two opinions? If YHWH [is] God, follow him; but if the Baal, follow him.” And the people did not answer Him a word.
ÅB
Da trådte Elias fram for alt folket og sa: Hvor lenge vil dere halte til begge sider? Dersom Herren er Gud, så følg ham, og dersom Ba'al er det, så følg ham! Men folket svarte ham ikke et ord.
OTB
Da nærmet Elia seg hele folket og sa: "Hvor lenge vil dere vakle mellom to meninger? Hvis Herren er Gud, følg Ham; men hvis Baal, følg ham." Men folket svarte ham ikke så mye som et ord.
B1930
Da trådte Elias frem for alt folket og sa: Hvor lenge vil I halte til begge sider? Dersom Herren er Gud, så følg ham, og dersom Ba'al er det, så følg ham! Men folket svarte ham ikke et ord.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 6:24

    No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

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  • Joshua 24:15

    But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

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  • 1 Corinthians 10:21–22

    You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

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  • 2 Corinthians 6:14–16

    Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

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  • 1 Samuel 7:3

    Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 17:41

    So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 3:15–16

    I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!

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  • Zephaniah 1:5

    those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

    Read in context