Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Elijah said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
- KJV And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
- NKJV Then Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today.”
- NASB Then Elijah said, “As surely as the Lord of armies lives, before whom I stand, I will certainly present myself to him today.”
- NLT But Elijah said, “I swear by the Lord Almighty, in whose presence I stand, that I will present myself to Ahab this very day.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elijah solemnly swears by the living God that he will present himself to Ahab that very day. His oath removes Obadiah's fear.
Overview
Elijah's vow, made before "Yahweh of Armies, before whom I stand," expresses his unwavering sense of standing in God's presence and service. By guaranteeing he will not flee, he frees Obadiah to deliver the message safely. The phrase captures the prophet's identity: a man whose first allegiance is to the Lord he constantly serves.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Kgs 17:1Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD lives—the God of Israel before whom I stand—there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”
- 1 Kgs 18:10As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you.
- Isa 51:7–8Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
- Isa 6:3And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”
- Ps 24:8–10Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
- Heb 6:16–17Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
- Deut 4:19When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
- Luke 2:13–14And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
- Luke 1:19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Gen 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
- Deut 1:38Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, will enter it. Encourage him, for he will enable Israel to inherit the land.
- Jer 8:2They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.
- Ps 103:21Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will.
- Ps 148:2–3Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.
- Job 25:3Can His troops be numbered? On whom does His light not rise?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 18:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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