1 Kings 18:15
New International Version
Elijah said, “As the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today.”

New Living Translation
But Elijah said, “I swear by the LORD Almighty, in whose presence I stand, that I will present myself to Ahab this very day.”

English Standard Version
And Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”

King James Bible
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

New King James Version
Then Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of armies lives, before whom I stand, I will certainly present myself to him today.”

NASB 1995
Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”

NASB 1977
And Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Elijah said, “As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”

Amplified Bible
Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts (armies) lives, before whom I stand, I will certainly show myself to Ahab today.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said, “As the LORD of Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Elijah said, “As the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”

American Standard Version
And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to-day.

Contemporary English Version
Elijah said, "I'm a servant of the living LORD All-Powerful, and I swear in his name that I will meet with Ahab today."

English Revised Version
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him today.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elijah said, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD of Armies whom I serve lives, I will present myself to Ahab."

Good News Translation
Elijah answered, "By the living LORD Almighty, whom I serve, I promise that I will present myself to the king today."

International Standard Version
But Elijah promised him, "As the LORD of the Heavenly Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, I will appear to Ahab today."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”

NET Bible
But Elijah said, "As certainly as the LORD who rules over all lives (whom I serve), I will make an appearance before him today."

New Heart English Bible
Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him to-day.

World English Bible
Elijah said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elijah says, “YHWH of Hosts lives, before whom I have stood, surely I appear to him today.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Elijah saith, 'Jehovah of Hosts liveth, before whom I have stood, surely to-day I appear unto him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elijah will say to him, Jehovah of armies lives whom I stand before him that this day, I will be seen to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elias said: As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whose face I stand, this day I will shew myself unto him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whose face I stand, this day I will appear to him.”

New American Bible
Elijah answered, “As the LORD of hosts lives, whom I serve, I will present myself to him today.”

New Revised Standard Version
Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elyah said: “Living is LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts before whom I stand, but today I shall appear to him!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Elijah said: 'As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to-day.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Eliu said, As the Lord of Hosts before whom I stand lives, to-day I will appear before him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Confronts Ahab
14And now you say, ‘Go tell your lord that Elijah is here!’ He will kill me!” 15Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”

Cross References
Exodus 3:12
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

1 Samuel 17:45
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

2 Kings 2:2
and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

2 Kings 5:16
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.


Treasury of Scripture

And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him to day.

As the Lord

1 Kings 18:10
As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

Hebrews 6:16,17
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife…

of hosts liveth

Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Job 25:3
Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?

before whom I

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.

Deuteronomy 1:38
But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

I will surely

Isaiah 51:7,8
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings…

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Ahab Almighty Appear Armies Elijah Eli'jah Hosts Life Present Servant Serve Shew Show Stand Surely Today To-Day
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Ahab Almighty Appear Armies Elijah Eli'jah Hosts Life Present Servant Serve Shew Show Stand Surely Today To-Day
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














As surely as
This phrase is an oath formula, emphasizing the certainty and solemnity of the statement that follows. In Hebrew culture, oaths were binding and invoked the name of God to affirm truthfulness. This reflects the seriousness with which Elijah approaches his mission, underscoring his unwavering faith and commitment to God's will.

the LORD of Hosts
The term "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme authority over the heavenly armies and all creation. It conveys God's omnipotence and His role as a divine warrior who fights for His people. This title reassures believers of God's ultimate control and protection, especially in times of conflict or spiritual warfare.

lives
The declaration of God's life is a profound affirmation of His eternal existence and active presence in the world. Unlike the lifeless idols worshiped by the surrounding nations, the God of Israel is living and dynamic. This serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His ongoing involvement in the lives of His people.

before whom I stand
This phrase indicates Elijah's role as a prophet and servant of God. To "stand before" someone in ancient Near Eastern culture often implied service or attendance. Elijah's position is one of humility and readiness to act according to God's command. It highlights the intimate relationship between the prophet and God, as well as Elijah's accountability to divine authority.

I will surely present myself
Elijah's commitment to present himself to Ahab is a bold declaration of obedience and courage. Despite the danger posed by Ahab's hostility, Elijah is determined to fulfill his prophetic duty. This reflects the prophet's trust in God's protection and his willingness to confront evil with truth.

to Ahab
Ahab, the king of Israel, is a significant figure in this narrative. Known for his idolatry and opposition to God's prophets, Ahab represents the spiritual decline of Israel. Elijah's confrontation with Ahab is a pivotal moment, symbolizing the clash between true worship and false religion. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

today
The immediacy of the word "today" underscores the urgency of Elijah's mission. It reflects the prophetic sense of time, where God's intervention is both imminent and necessary. This urgency calls believers to respond promptly to God's call, recognizing the importance of timely obedience in the unfolding of His divine plan.

Verse 15. - And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand [This formula should be compared with that of 1 Kings 17:1. The repetition is suggestive as exhibiting the habit of the man. He was the ready and patient slave of Jehovah. The צְבָאותis apparently introduced not so much to "elevate the solemnity of the oath" (Keil, Bahr) - for surely Elijah would wish to make the affirmation of 1 Kings 17:1 as strong and solemn as possible - nor yet to convey the meaning that "it is not Baal or Ashtaroth who are the rulers of the heavenly bodies" (Wordsworth), for Obadiah knew that perfectly well, but because it was thus better adapted for a believer. In addressing Ahab it suited Elijah's purpose better to give prominence to the idea that Jehovah was "the God of Israel"], I win surely show myself unto him today.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Elijah
אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

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

“As surely as the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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

lives,
חַ֚י (ḥay)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

before
לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

whom
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I stand,
עָמַ֖דְתִּי (‘ā·maḏ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

I will present myself
אֵרָאֶ֥ה (’ê·rā·’eh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

to Ahab
אֵלָֽיו׃ (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

today.”
הַיּ֖וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:15 Elijah said As Yahweh of Armies lives (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:14
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