And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

1 KINGS 18:40KJV
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1 Kings 18:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 18:40 mean?

1 Kings 18:40 describes how Elijah ordered the people to seize the prophets of Baal after the contest on Mount Carmel, making sure none escaped, and then took them to the brook Kishon and killed them there. This verse shows the immediate and complete judgment against the prophets of Baal following their defeat.

Elijah is speaking to the assembled Israelites after God answered his prayer with fire, proving the LORD’s power over Baal. The people obey Elijah’s command, capturing the prophets of Baal, who had led Israel into idol worship. The verse marks the climax of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, resulting in their execution at the brook Kishon.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 18:40

  • "Take" (לָכַד, lakad): This word means to seize or capture. Elijah’s command is forceful, making it clear that the people are to take physical action against the prophets of Baal.
  • "Prophets" (נָבִיא, navi’): This word refers to those who claimed to speak for Baal, showing that these were not just ordinary followers but leaders and influencers in Baal worship.
  • "Baal" (בַּעַל, ba‘al): This is the name of the Canaanite storm god, whose worship was a major rival to the worship of the LORD in Israel.
  • "Slew" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to slaughter or kill, often used for ritual sacrifice but here describing execution. The use of this word emphasizes the seriousness and finality of the judgment.

Why 1 Kings 18:40 matters

  • 1 Kings 18:40 clears up that the confrontation on Mount Carmel was not just a spiritual contest but had real-life consequences for those leading Israel astray.
  • The verse highlights Elijah’s authority and the people’s willingness to act decisively after witnessing God’s power, showing a turning point in Israel’s response to idolatry.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing the complete reversal of Baal’s influence in Israel, at least for this moment, and sets the stage for Elijah’s continued role as God’s prophet.

Where else these words appear

“Kishon” Hebrew H7028 · used in 5 verses

  • Judges 4:7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
  • Judges 4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
  • Judges 5:21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

“Take” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
  • Jeremiah 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

“Elijah” Hebrew H452 · used in 65 verses

  • 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.
  • 1 Kings 18:30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
  • 2 Kings 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

“Baal” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.