Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. New Living Translation So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. English Standard Version And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. Berean Standard Bible And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. Berean Literal Bible And they took the bull that was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of the Baal from the morning and until the noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us.” And there was no voice, and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar that they had made. King James Bible And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. New King James Version So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. New American Standard Bible Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they limped about the altar which they had made. NASB 1995 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. NASB 1977 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. Legacy Standard Bible Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they limped about the altar which they had made. Amplified Bible So they took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, hear and answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they had made. Berean Annotated Bible And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal (lord) from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us! But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. Christian Standard Bible So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us! ” But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced around the altar they had made. Holman Christian Standard Bible So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. American Standard Version And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made. Contemporary English Version They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, "Answer us, Baal!" But there was no answer. English Revised Version And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made. GOD'S WORD® Translation They took the bull he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon. They said, "Baal, answer us!" But there wasn't a sound or an answer. So they danced around the altar they had made. Good News Translation They took the bull that was brought to them, prepared it, and prayed to Baal until noon. They shouted, "Answer us, Baal!" and kept dancing around the altar they had built. But no answer came. International Standard Version So they took the ox that was given to them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from early morning until noon. "Baal! Answer us!" they cried. But there was no response. Nobody answered. So they kept on dancing around the altar that they had made. NET Bible So they took a bull, as he had suggested, and prepared it. They invoked the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "Baal, answer us." But there was no sound and no answer. They jumped around on the altar they had made. New Heart English Bible And they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "Baal, answer us." But there was no voice, nor any who answered. And they limped about the altar they had made. Webster's Bible Translation And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. World English Bible They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice, and nobody answered. They leaped about the altar which was made. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they take the bullock that [one] gave to them, and prepare [it], and call in the name of Ba‘al from the morning even until the noon, saying, “O Ba‘al, answer us!” And there is no voice, and there is none answering; and they leap on the altar that one had made. Berean Literal Bible And they took the bull that was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of the Baal from the morning and until the noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us.” And there was no voice, and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar that they had made. Young's Literal Translation And they take the bullock that one gave to them, and prepare, and call in the name of Baal from the morning even till the noon, saying, 'O Baal, answer us!' and there is no voice, and there is none answering; and they leap on the altar that one had made. Smith's Literal Translation And they will take the bullock which was given to them, and do, and they will call upon the name of Baal, from morning even to noon, saying, O Baal, answer us. And no voice, and none answered. And they will leap upon the altar which was made. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they took the bullock which he gave them, and dressed it: and they called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying: O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered: and they leaped over the altar that they had made. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had taken an ox, which he had given to them, they prepared it. And they called on the name of Baal, from morning even until midday, saying, “O Baal, heed us.” And there was no voice, nor did anyone respond. And so they leaped upon the altar that they had made. New American Bible Taking the young bull that was turned over to them, they prepared it and called upon Baal from morning to noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answering. And they hopped around the altar they had prepared. New Revised Standard Version So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they took the bullock which was given them and prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, answer us. But there was no voice nor any that answered. And they cut themselves upon the altar which they had made. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they took the bull that was given to them, and they prepared it, and they were calling on the name of Baal from morning and until noon: “Baala, answer us!” And there was no voice, also no one who answered, and they were fighting on the altar that they had made. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying: 'O Baal, answer us.' But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they danced in halting wise about the altar which was made. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they took the calf and drest it, and called on the name of Baal from morning till noon, and said, hear us, O Baal, hear us. And there was no voice, neither was there hearing, and they ran up and down on the alter which they had made. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elijah on Mount Carmel…25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. 27At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”… Cross References And they took the bull that was given them, Leviticus 4:3-4 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. / He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD. Exodus 29:10-14 You are to present the bull at the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. / And you shall slaughter the bull before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. … prepared it, Leviticus 1:6-9 Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. / The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. / Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood on the altar. … Leviticus 6:12-13 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. / The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished. and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, 1 Kings 16:31-33 And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. Judges 2:11-13 And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. Hosea 13:1-2 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. / Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” Judges 10:13-14 But you have forsaken Me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. / Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.” Jeremiah 2:27-28 say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Yet in the time of trouble, they say, ‘Rise up and save us!’ / But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. Habakkuk 2:18-19 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” But there was no sound, and no one answered Psalm 115:5-7 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; / they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Isaiah 46:7 They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. Jeremiah 10:5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” as they leaped around the altar they had made. Exodus 32:6 So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. Exodus 32:19-20 As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain. / Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it. 1 Kings 12:28-33 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. … Treasury of Scripture And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped on the altar which was made. from morning Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. hear. 1 Kings 18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… Psalm 135:15-20 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… answered. Zephaniah 1:9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. Jump to Previous Altar Baal Bull Bullock Danced Dressed Halting Hear Leaped Morning Noon Voice WiseJump to Next Altar Baal Bull Bullock Danced Dressed Halting Hear Leaped Morning Noon Voice Wise1 Kings 18 1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah9. 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 And they took the bull that was given them The prophets of Baal received a bull for sacrifice, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions. Bulls were often associated with strength and fertility, symbolizing the power of the deity being worshiped. This act sets the stage for a confrontation between the God of Israel and Baal, highlighting the futility of idol worship. prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of the Lord who challenges the prophets of Baal to demonstrate the power of their god versus the power of Yahweh. 2. Prophets of Baal Pagan prophets who worship Baal, a Canaanite deity, and are challenged by Elijah on Mount Carmel. 3. Baal A Canaanite god of fertility and weather, often worshipped by the Israelites during times of apostasy. 4. Mount Carmel The location where the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal takes place. 5. The Altar The structure built by the prophets of Baal to offer their sacrifice, which becomes the focal point of their futile attempts to invoke their god. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdolatry leads to spiritual emptiness and disappointment, as false gods cannot respond or provide. The Power of Persistent Faith Unlike the prophets of Baal, believers are called to place their faith in the living God who hears and answers prayer. The Importance of True Worship Worship should be directed to God alone, in spirit and truth, rather than through empty rituals or false deities. The Role of Spiritual Leadership Elijah's boldness in confronting false worship serves as a model for spiritual leaders to stand firm in truth. God's Sovereignty and Power The silence of Baal contrasts with the power of God, who later answers Elijah's prayer with fire, demonstrating His sovereignty. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 18:26?2. How does 1 Kings 18:26 demonstrate the futility of idol worship? 3. What does the prophets' behavior reveal about their faith in Baal? 4. How can we avoid the mistakes of the prophets in our worship? 5. What New Testament teachings warn against idolatry like in 1 Kings 18:26? 6. How can we ensure our prayers align with God's will, unlike Baal's prophets? 7. Why did the prophets of Baal fail to summon fire in 1 Kings 18:26? 8. What does 1 Kings 18:26 reveal about the power of false gods? 9. How does 1 Kings 18:26 challenge the belief in multiple deities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 18? 11. How did Elijah prove God's power over Baal's prophets? 12. What is the identity of Baal? 13. In Jeremiah 9:14, the people follow Baal—how does this align historically with evidence of idol worship in that era? 14. What does the Bible say about vain repetitions? What Does 1 Kings 18:26 Mean And they took the bull that was given them• Elijah’s terms were accepted without protest, so the prophets of Baal could never claim the test was unfair (1 Kings 18:23–25). • God often allows His opponents to use every available resource before He moves, underscoring His supremacy (Exodus 7:10–12; Judges 6:36–40). Prepared it • The bull was cut and arranged just as any burnt offering would be (Leviticus 1:6–9). Outward ritual was flawless, yet the absence of the true God made it empty. • Throughout Scripture, correct form without genuine faith is useless (Isaiah 1:11–15; Matthew 23:27). Called on the name of Baal from morning until noon • Their persistence highlights how devoted people can be to false gods (Jeremiah 2:11). • Hours of pleading contrast sharply with the simplicity of calling on the LORD, who hears immediately (Psalm 34:15; 1 Kings 18:36–37). • Jesus later warns against “vain repetitions” that assume wordiness forces a divine response (Matthew 6:7). Shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” • Raised voices signaled desperation, not confidence; they tried to stir a nonexistent deity into action (Acts 19:34). • Psalm 115:4–7 paints the same futility: “They have mouths but cannot speak…”. • True prayer rests on God’s character, not human volume (1 John 5:14). But there was no sound, and no one answered • Scripture records the silence three times (vv. 26, 29) to emphasize complete impotence (Psalm 135:15–18). • The living God repeatedly distinguishes Himself by answering audibly or visibly (Exodus 19:19; Psalm 50:15). • Idols never respond because they do not exist as living beings (Isaiah 44:17-20). As they leaped around the altar they had made • Frenzied dancing attempted to coerce a response, similar to pagan self-mutilation that follows in v. 28 (Deuteronomy 14:1). • Emotional display can mask spiritual emptiness; contrast David’s God-centered dance of joy (2 Samuel 6:14-16) with this frantic chaos. • Demonic influence often imitates worship yet produces bondage, not freedom (Mark 5:5). summary The prophets of Baal did everything human zeal could devise—proper sacrifice, tireless pleading, loud cries, dramatic movement—yet “there was no sound, and no one answered.” 1 Kings 18:26 exposes the utter futility of idol worship and sets the stage for the LORD’s decisive answer through Elijah. The verse reminds us that form, effort, and emotion are meaningless unless directed toward the living God who alone hears and responds. (26) O Baal, hear us.--This repeated cry--the ever-recurring burden of the prayer, uttered probably first in measured chant, afterwards in a wild excited cry--stands in an instructive contrast (which has been splendidly emphasised in Mendelssohn's music) with the simple, earnest solemnity of the prayer of Elijah. It has been obvious to see m it an illustration of our Lord's condemnation of the worship of the heathen, who "think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7). There is a grave irony in the notice of the blank silence which followed this frenzied cry. "There was no voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded."They leaped upon--properly, leaped up and down at the altar, in one of those wild dances, at once expressing and stimulating frenzy, in which Oriental religions delight, even to this day. Verse 26. - And they took the bullock which was given them [Heb. which he (or one) gave; i.e., they declined to choose], and they dressed it, and called on the name of from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us [Heb. answer us. Same word as below. They thought they would be heard for their much speaking]. But there was no voice [Heb. and not a voice], nor any that answered. And they leaped [or limped. Same word as that translated "halt" in ver. 21. Gesenius thinks the word is "used scornfully of the awkward dancing of the priests of Baal." But it seems more natural to understand it as descriptive of what actually occurred, i.e., of the reeling, swaying, bacchantie dance of the priests, which was probably not unlike that of the dancing dervishes or the Indian devil worshippers of our own time] upon [or near, i.e., around] the altar which was made, [Heb. he, that is, one made, עָשָׂה impersonal. But some MSS. and most versions read עָשׁוּ].Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And they tookוַ֠יִּקְחוּ (way·yiq·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take the bull הַפָּ֨ר (hap·pār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer that אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that was given נָתַ֣ן (nā·ṯan) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them, לָהֶם֮ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew prepared [it], וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֒ (way·ya·‘ă·śū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make and called וַיִּקְרְא֣וּ (way·yiq·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read on the name בְשֵׁם־ (ḇə·šêm-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8034: A name of Baal הַ֠בַּעַל (hab·ba·‘al) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god from morning מֵהַבֹּ֨קֶר (mê·hab·bō·qer) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning until וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while noon, הַצָּהֳרַ֤יִם (haṣ·ṣā·ho·ra·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6672: A light, double light, noon shouting, לֵאמֹר֙ (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “O Baal, הַבַּ֣עַל (hab·ba·‘al) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god answer us!” עֲנֵ֔נוּ (‘ă·nê·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 6030: To answer, respond But there was no וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle sound, ק֖וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound and no one וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle answered עֹנֶ֑ה (‘ō·neh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond as they leaped וַֽיְפַסְּח֔וּ (way·p̄as·sə·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6452: To hop, skip over, to hesitate, to limp, to dance around עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the altar הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4196: An altar they had made. עָשָֽׂה׃ (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make Links 1 Kings 18:26 NIV1 Kings 18:26 NLT 1 Kings 18:26 ESV 1 Kings 18:26 NASB 1 Kings 18:26 KJV 1 Kings 18:26 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 18:26 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 18:26 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 18:26 French Bible 1 Kings 18:26 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 18:26 They took the bull which was given (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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