Bible Strands
1 Kings 18:22
Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah addresses the assembled people of Israel on Mount Carmel immediately after his challenge to choose between Yahweh and Baal and their subsequent silence.
The words — The Hebrew verb נוֹתַ֧רְתִּי (no.tar.ti) literally means "I am left" or "I remain," marking Elijah’s claim to be the sole surviving prophet of Yahweh in this confrontation.
The thread — This statement aligns with Elijah’s later report to God in 1 Kings 19:10 and 19:14 that he alone remains among the people, and it follows the assembly summoned in 1 Kings 18:19.
Why it lands — The text presents a stark numerical disparity to frame the upcoming altar contest as a direct test of divine authority rather than human strength.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
- 1 Kings 19:14 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
- 1 Kings 18:19 Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
- 1 Kings 20:13 Meanwhile a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand this very day, and you will know that I am the LORD.’”
- 1 Kings 20:32 So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”
- 1 Kings 20:35 Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him.
- 1 Kings 20:38 and the prophet went and waited on the road for the king, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes.
- 1 Kings 22:6 So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
- Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
- Romans 11:3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”?