Bible Strands
1 Kings 18:34
and said, “Fill four waterpots and pour the water on the offering and on the wood.” “Do it a second time,” he said, and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said, and they did it a third time.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah commands the people and his officials to pour water over the arranged wood and bull offering. He issues this directive immediately after preparing the sacrifice and just before the drought ends.
The words — שְנוּ (she.Nu) means "do again" and שַלֵּשׁוּ (sha.Le.shu) means "do a third time." These verbs explicitly mark the commanded repetition of the pouring action.
The thread — The text records Elijah's order to repeat the pouring until the offering is thoroughly saturated. This emphasis on transparent, repeated action parallels the New Testament instruction to renounce secret ways and pursue what is right before God and men (2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 8:21).
Why it lands — The passage demands exhaustive preparation and public verification before any claim of divine intervention. It requires readers to pursue thoroughness and accountability rather than relying on incomplete or hidden efforts.
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 he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- 2 Corinthians 8:21 For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.