Bible Strands
1 Kings 19:13
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah stands at the mouth of a cave after hearing a divine voice. A voice addresses him directly, asking why he is there.
The words — The text highlights וַיָּלֶט (va/yi.Ya.let), meaning "and he wrapped," describing Elijah covering his face with his cloak. This action precedes his movement to the cave entrance to meet the speaker.
The thread — The question “What are you doing here?” echoes God’s inquiry to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9 and mirrors the angel’s question to Hagar in Genesis 16:8. The motif of veiling the face also recalls Exodus 33:23, where divine presence requires concealment.
Why it lands — The passage demands an accounting of one’s location and purpose when confronted by divine inquiry. It frames obedience not as dramatic spectacle but as a response to a direct question at a designated place.
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 it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
- Genesis 16:8 “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.
- Exodus 33:23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen.”
- 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees.
- Isaiah 6:2 Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
- Isaiah 6:5 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
- John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- Exodus 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”