1 Kings 18:38

38 Then the LORD's fire fell; it consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up the water in the trench!

1 Kings 18:38 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 18:38

Then the fire of the Lord fell
An extraordinary fire from God out of heaven, as the effects of it show:

and consumed the burnt sacrifice;
as it had done in former instances, ( Leviticus 9:24 ) ( Judges 6:21 ) ( 1 Chronicles 21:26 ) ( 2 Chronicles 7:1 2 Chronicles 7:3 ) , and besides this, which is still more extraordinary,

and the wood, and the stones, and the dust;
of the altar, thereby signifying that even such were not to be used any more:

and licked up the water that was in the trench;
around the altar, see ( 1 Kings 18:32 ) .

1 Kings 18:38 In-Context

36 At the time of the evening offering, the prophet Elijah drew near and prayed: "LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. I have done all these things at your instructions.

37 Answer me, LORD! Answer me so that this people will know that you, LORD, are the real God and that you can change their hearts."

38 Then the LORD's fire fell; it consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up the water in the trench!

39 All the people saw this and fell on their faces. "The LORD is the real God! The LORD is the real God!" they exclaimed.

40 Elijah said to them, "Seize Baal's prophets! Don't let any escape!" The people seized the prophets, and Elijah brought them to the Kishon Brook and killed them there.