Bible Strands
1 Kings 18:32
And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah constructs an altar on Mount Carmel during a public contest against the prophets of Baal. He acts alone at this moment, preparing the site before the assembled Israelites and the opposing priests.
The words — The narrative records Elijah using yivneh (he built) with mizbeach (altar) and the phrase be-shem Yahweh (in the name of Yahweh). He also employs taalah (trench) to specify the excavation dug around the structure.
The thread — Building altars under divine command appears in Exodus 20:24 and Judges 6:26, where God specifies proper materials and locations. The formula "in the name of the Lord" later governs all Christian action in Colossians 3:17.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to note that precise physical preparation and strict adherence to divine instruction precede any claim of divine response. It demands that worship follows exact specifications rather than personal preference.
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
And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
Cross-references
- Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Exodus 20:24 You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.
- Judges 6:26 Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.”
- Judges 21:4 The next day the people got up early, built an altar there, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings.
- 1 Samuel 7:9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him.
- 1 Samuel 7:17 Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.