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.

1 KINGS 18:19KJV
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1 Kings 18:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 18:19 mean?

1 Kings 18:19 records Elijah telling King Ahab to gather all the people of Israel at Mount Carmel, along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groves (Asherah), who are supported by Queen Jezebel. Elijah is setting up a public confrontation between himself and these prophets to address Israel’s divided loyalty.

In this verse, Elijah speaks directly to King Ahab during a time of severe drought and spiritual crisis in Israel. Elijah calls for a meeting at Mount Carmel, a significant location, to challenge the influence of Baal and Asherah worship, which Jezebel has promoted. The verse highlights the scale of false prophecy in Israel and sets the stage for a dramatic showdown that will follow in the next verses.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 18:19

  • "Baal" (בַּעַל, Baʿal): This word refers to a Canaanite deity often associated with storms and fertility. Mentioning 450 prophets of Baal emphasizes how deeply Baal worship had taken root in Israel.
  • "Groves" (אֲשֵׁרָה, ʾAsherah): This term points to the goddess Asherah or her wooden symbols. The 400 prophets of the groves show that worship of Asherah, promoted by Jezebel, was also widespread.
  • "Eat" (אָכַל, ʾakal): The phrase "which eat at Jezebel’s table" means these prophets were directly supported and maintained by the queen, showing her active role in promoting these religions.
  • "Gather" (קָבַץ, qavats): Elijah’s call to “gather” all Israel to Mount Carmel signals a public and decisive event, not a private debate.

Why 1 Kings 18:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the confrontation on Mount Carmel was not just between Elijah and Ahab, but involved all of Israel and hundreds of false prophets, making it a national turning point.
  • The mention of Jezebel’s support for these prophets shows her powerful influence over Israel’s religious direction, setting up the conflict between true and false worship.
  • By specifying the numbers and types of prophets, the verse highlights the overwhelming odds Elijah faces, which makes the coming demonstration of God’s power even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“Jezebel's” Hebrew H348 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
  • 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
  • 2 Kings 9:7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

“Carmel” Hebrew H3760 · used in 25 verses

  • Joshua 12:22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
  • 1 Kings 18:20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
  • Isaiah 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

“groves” Hebrew H842 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
  • 2 Chronicles 17:6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

“table” Hebrew H7979 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
  • 1 Samuel 20:29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
  • Job 36:16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.