And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 KINGS 19:14KJV
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1 Kings 19:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 19:14 mean?

1 Kings 19:14 records Elijah telling God that he has been deeply committed to God, but the people of Israel have abandoned God’s covenant, destroyed His altars, and killed His prophets. Elijah feels completely alone, believing he is the only faithful one left, and now his life is also in danger.

In this verse, Elijah is speaking directly to God while hiding in a cave, overwhelmed by fear and discouragement after fleeing from Queen Jezebel’s threats. Elijah’s words show his sense of isolation and despair, as he lists the ways Israel has turned away from God and expresses his belief that he alone remains faithful, with his own life now at risk.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 19:14

  • "jealous" (קָנָא, qana’): This word means to be deeply zealous or passionate, often with a sense of protective devotion. Elijah’s use of this word shows how intensely he cared about God’s honor and covenant, not just a mild concern.
  • "forsaken" (עָזַב, azav): This word means to abandon or leave behind. Elijah accuses Israel of completely turning their backs on their agreement with God, not just drifting away.
  • "left" (שָׁאַר, sha’ar): This word means to remain or be left over. Elijah’s claim that he alone is “left” highlights his feeling of being the last faithful person, emphasizing his loneliness and desperation.
  • "seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search for or try to obtain. Elijah says they “seek” his life, stressing the active effort to hunt him down, not just a vague threat.

Why 1 Kings 19:14 matters

  • This verse clears up that Elijah’s discouragement was not just about fear, but about a deep sense of failure and abandonment, both by his people and, in his mind, possibly even by God.
  • Elijah’s words help explain why God responds so gently and personally in the following verses, addressing Elijah’s loneliness and mistaken belief that he is truly alone.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of God’s faithfulness, showing that even when a prophet feels isolated and hopeless, God still has a plan and others who remain faithful.

Where else these words appear

“very” Hebrew H7065 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 26:14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
  • Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
  • Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

“down” Hebrew H2040 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Psalms 58:6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
  • Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: