Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

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

What does 1 Kings 19:18 mean?

1 Kings 19:18 says that God has kept seven thousand people in Israel who have not worshiped Baal or shown him honor. This means that, even when it seems like everyone has turned away, there are still many who remain faithful to God.

In this verse, God is speaking to the prophet Elijah, who feels alone and discouraged after facing opposition from those who worship Baal. God reassures Elijah that he is not the only faithful person left; there are thousands who have not bowed their knees or kissed Baal, which were acts of worship and loyalty in that culture.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 19:18

  • "left" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word means "to remain" or "to be left over." Here, it highlights that God himself has preserved a faithful group, not just by chance but by his action.
  • "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva') and "thousand" (אֶלֶף, eleph): Together, these numbers ("seven thousand") often suggest completeness or a significant, substantial group, not just a handful.
  • "bowed" (כָּרַע, kara'): This word means to bend the knee, a common gesture of worship or submission. It underlines the physical act of honoring Baal that these faithful people have refused to do.
  • "kissed" (נָשַׁק, nashaq): In ancient times, kissing an idol was a sign of devotion. The verse points out that these people have not even given Baal the smallest sign of respect.

Why 1 Kings 19:18 matters

  • 1 Kings 19:18 clears up the idea that Elijah is completely alone; God makes it clear that faithfulness is more widespread than Elijah realizes.
  • The verse shows that God is actively preserving a remnant, emphasizing that faithfulness can survive even in difficult times.
  • This reassurance connects to the larger story, where Elijah is struggling with discouragement and fear, and God responds with encouragement and perspective.

Where else these words appear

“knees” Hebrew H1290 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
  • 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
  • Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

“bowed” Hebrew H3766 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
  • Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

“kissed” Hebrew H5401 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
  • Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

“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.