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Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 18 - Verse 26

18:26
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

Meaning

In this verse, the people are trying to call upon the false god Baal to answer their prayers and show his power. They took a bullock and dressed it, then called on the name of Baal from morning till noon, pleading for him to hear them. However, despite their efforts, there was no response, no voice, no answer from Baal. In their desperation, the people resorted to even more dramatic measures, leaping upon the altar they had constructed. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of worshipping false gods and seeking help from anything other than the one true God. It highlights the emptiness of putting our faith in idols or anything other than the Almighty. Through their actions and the lack of a response from Baal, the people in this verse learn a valuable lesson about the importance of turning to the one who truly has the power to answer prayers and provide guidance - the true God.

Theological Overview

One interesting theological interpretation of this verse is the stark contrast it presents between the power of the one true God and the false gods worshipped by the prophets of Baal. In this account from 1 Kings, we see the prophets of Baal calling out to their deity from morning until noon, fervently asking for a response and performing acts of desperation such as leaping upon the altar. However, despite their efforts, there is no voice, nor any answer from Baal. This demonstrates the futility of worshipping false gods and highlights the powerlessness of idols in comparison to the one true God. The word study of "Baal" in this verse also sheds light on the significance of the false god in ancient cultures and the importance of the Israelites' faithfulness to the Lord. Through this passage, readers are reminded of the supremacy of God and the consequences of turning away from Him to worship idols.

American Standard Version

And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.
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