1 Kings 19:18

18 But I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand—all those whose knees haven't bowed down to Baal and whose mouths haven't kissed him."

1 Kings 19:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 19:18

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel
From perishing by the sword of either of them:

all the knees which have not bowed to Baal;
that is, had not worshipped him, which was signified by this gesture:

and every mouth which hath not kissed him;
either the image of Baal itself, or the hand, in reverence of him; which rites, one or other, or both, were used by his worshippers; (See Gill on Hosea 13:2). This either refers, as some think, to the present time, and so is an answer to Elijah, who thought he was the only worshipper left with which seems to agree ( Romans 11:2-4 ) , or to the times to come, when destruction should be made by the above persons, and when God would have some faithful worshippers, and would take care of them; so some render the words, "I will reserve" ^F25.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (ytravhw) "reservabo vel servabo", Vatablus; so V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version.

1 Kings 19:18 In-Context

16 Also anoint Jehu, Nimshi's son, as king of Israel; and anoint Elisha from Abel-meholah, Shaphat's son, to succeed you as prophet.

17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. Whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.

18 But I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand—all those whose knees haven't bowed down to Baal and whose mouths haven't kissed him."

19 So Elijah departed from there and found Elisha, Shaphat's son. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. Elisha was with the twelfth yoke. Elijah met up with him and threw his coat on him.

20 Elisha immediately left the oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and my mother," Elisha said, "then I will follow you." Elijah replied, "Go! I'm not holding you back!"