1 kings 18:35 - The water ran around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.
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What does "1 kings 18:35" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 18:35 is a crucial part of the story where the prophet Elijah is challenging the prophets of Baal to prove which God is the true God. Let's break down what it means in that context:
"The water ran around the altar...": Elijah had already rebuilt the altar of the Lord (which had likely fallen into disrepair). He then dramatically poured water all around the altar's base.
"...and he also filled the trench with water.": Not only was the area around the altar soaked, but Elijah also had a trench dug around the altar (verse 32) and filled it with even more water.
Significance and Purpose:
The excessive amount of water served several critical purposes:
1. Demonstrating the Impossibility of Human Intervention: Elijah made it humanly impossible to start a fire. By soaking everything, he eliminated any suspicion that he might be using trickery or hidden fuel. This was a direct challenge to Baal, but also a test of God's power. The fire would have to be a miraculous event, not a result of any natural means.
2. Heightening the Spectacle and Drama: The sheer volume of water intensified the drama of the moment. Imagine the anticipation of the crowd as they watched Elijah call upon his God, knowing the conditions made lighting a fire seemingly impossible.
3. Emphasizing God's Power: The presence of the water highlighted the immense power that would be required for God to consume the sacrifice. The miracle would be even more astonishing given the circumstances. Overcoming such an obstacle would demonstrate God's absolute control over nature.
4. Perhaps Symbolic Cleansing: Some commentators suggest the water also served a symbolic purpose, cleansing the land and the altar of the idolatry that had plagued it.
In essence, by drenching the altar and surrounding area, Elijah created a scenario where only divine intervention could ignite the sacrifice. This set the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's power and a clear rebuke of Baal worship.
1 kings 18:35 - The water ran around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.
What does "1 kings 18:35" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 18:35 is a crucial part of the story where the prophet Elijah is challenging the prophets of Baal to prove which God is the true God. Let's break down what it means in that context:
"The water ran around the altar...": Elijah had already rebuilt the altar of the Lord (which had likely fallen into disrepair). He then dramatically poured water all around the altar's base.
"...and he also filled the trench with water.": Not only was the area around the altar soaked, but Elijah also had a trench dug around the altar (verse 32) and filled it with even more water.
Significance and Purpose:
The excessive amount of water served several critical purposes:
1. Demonstrating the Impossibility of Human Intervention: Elijah made it humanly impossible to start a fire. By soaking everything, he eliminated any suspicion that he might be using trickery or hidden fuel. This was a direct challenge to Baal, but also a test of God's power. The fire would have to be a miraculous event, not a result of any natural means.
2. Heightening the Spectacle and Drama: The sheer volume of water intensified the drama of the moment. Imagine the anticipation of the crowd as they watched Elijah call upon his God, knowing the conditions made lighting a fire seemingly impossible.
3. Emphasizing God's Power: The presence of the water highlighted the immense power that would be required for God to consume the sacrifice. The miracle would be even more astonishing given the circumstances. Overcoming such an obstacle would demonstrate God's absolute control over nature.
4. Perhaps Symbolic Cleansing: Some commentators suggest the water also served a symbolic purpose, cleansing the land and the altar of the idolatry that had plagued it.
In essence, by drenching the altar and surrounding area, Elijah created a scenario where only divine intervention could ignite the sacrifice. This set the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's power and a clear rebuke of Baal worship.