1 Kings 18:28

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves according to their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

1 Kings 18:28 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 18:28

And they cried aloud
Trying to make him hear, if possible: and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the
blood gushed out upon them;
so the priests of Heathen deities used to slash themselves on their shoulders, arms, and thighs, in their devotions to them, as many writers observe ^F26, fancying their gods were delighted with human blood; particularly the priests of Bellona {a}, and the worshippers of the Syrian goddess ^F2, and of the Egyptian Isis ^F3.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Vid. Kipping. Antiqu. Roman. l. 1. c. 10. p. 202.
F1 Tertul Apolog. c. 9. Lactant. Institut. l. 1. c. 21.
F2 Apulei Metamorph. l. 8.
F3 Herodot. Euterpe, c. 61. Manetho. Apotelesm. l. 1. ver. 243, 244. Seneca de vita beata, c. 27.

1 Kings 18:28 In-Context

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.

27 And it came to pass at noon that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god! Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleepeth and must be awakened."

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves according to their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, "Come near unto me." And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.