Elijah at Mount Horeb

1 Kings 19

Fleeing Jezabel's threat against his life, Eliu travels into the wilderness and to mount Choreb, where the Lord passes by not in wind, earthquake, or fire but in the voice of a gentle breeze, and commissions him to anoint Azael and Ju as kings and Elisaie as prophet in his place, whom he then calls away from the plow.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND when Achab told his wife Jezabel all that Elias had done, and how he had slain the prophets with the sword,

BrentonAnd Achaab told Jezabel his wife all that Eliu had done, and how he had slain the prophets with the sword.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνήγγειλεν Ἀχαὰβ τῇ Ἰεζάβελ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἃ ἐποίησεν Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ ὡς ἀπέκτεινε τοὺς προφήτας ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ.

KJVAnd Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

JPSAnd Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

ThomsonJezabel sent to Elias, and said, As sure as thou art Elias, and I Jezabel, God do so to me and more also, if by this time to-morrow I do not make thy life like the life of one of them.

BrentonAnd Jezabel sent to Eliu, and said, If thou art Eliu and I am Jezabel, God do so to me, and more also, if I do not make thy life by this time to-morrow as the life of one of them.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰεζάβελ πρὸς Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ εἶπεν, εἰ σὺ εἶ Ἠλιοὺ καὶ ἐγὼ Ἰεζάβελ, τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη, ὅτι ταύτην τὴν ὥραν αὔριον θήσομαι τὴν ψυχήν σου καθὼς ψυχὴν ἑνὸς ἐξ αὐτῶν.

KJVThen Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

JPSThen Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying: ‘So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time.’

ThomsonAt this Elias was terrified, and arose and went where his inclination led him, and coming to Bersabee, in the land of Juda, he left his servant there,

BrentonAnd Eliu feared, and rose, and departed for his life: and he comes to Bersabee to the land of Juda, and he left his servant there.

GreekΚαὶ ἐφοβήθη Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἀπῆλθε κατὰ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς Βηρσαβεὲ γῆν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἀφῆκε τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

JPSAnd when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Thomsonand he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness; and came and sat down under a juniper tree, and intreated that he might die, and said, Let the present suffice. Take, I beseech thee, O Lord, my life from me; for I am not better than my fathers.

BrentonAnd he himself went a day's journey in the wilderness, and came and sat under a juniper tree; and asked concerning his life that he might die, and said, Let it be enough now, O Lord, take, I pray thee, my life from me; for I am no better than my fathers.

GreekΚαὶ αὐτὸς ἐπορεύθη ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὁδὸν ἡμέρας, καὶ ἦλθε καὶ ἐκάθισεν ὑποκάτω ῥαθμὲν, καὶ ᾐτήσατο τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀποθανεῖν· καὶ εἶπεν, ἱκανούσθω νῦν, λάβε δὴ τὴν ψυχήν μου ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ Κύριε, ὅτι οὐ κρείσσων ἐγώ εἰμι ὑπὲρ τοὺς πατέρας μου.

KJVBut he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

JPSBut he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom-tree; and he requested for himself that he might die; and said: ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.’

ThomsonThen he lay down and fell fast asleep there under a bush.

BrentonAnd he lay down and slept there under a tree; and behold, some one touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη καὶ ὕπνωσεν ἐκεῖ ὑπὸ φυτόν· καὶ ἰδού τις ἥψατο αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἀνάστηθι καὶ φάγε.

KJVAnd as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

JPSAnd he lay down and slept under a broom-tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him: ‘Arise and eat.’

ThomsonAnd behold one touched him and said to him, Rise and eat. And Elias looked up and behold at his head a cake of barley bread, and a pitcher of water! So he arose and ate and drank, and again laid himself down to sleep.

BrentonAnd Eliu looked, and, behold, at his head there was a cake of meal and a cruse of water; and he arose, and ate and drank, and returned and lay down.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέβλεψεν Ἠλιού· καὶ ἰδοὺ πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ἐγκρυφίας ὀλυρίτης καὶ καψάκης ὕδατος· καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἔφαγε καὶ ἔπιε, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἐκοιμήθη.

KJVAnd he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

JPSAnd he looked, and, behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the hot stones, and a cruse of water. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

ThomsonAnd the angel of the Lord returned the second time and touched him and said to him, Rise and eat, for the journey may be too great for thee.

BrentonAnd the angel of the Lord returned again, and touched him, and said to him, Arise, and eat, for the journey is far from thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐκ δευτέρου, καὶ ἥψατο αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἀνάστα, φάγε, ὅτι πολλὴ ἀπὸ σοῦ ἡ ὁδός.

KJVAnd the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

JPSAnd the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said: ‘Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.’

ThomsonSo he arose and ate and drank, and in the strength of that meal travelled forty days and forty nights till he came to mount Choreb,

BrentonAnd he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights to mount Choreb.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη, καὶ ἔφαγε, καὶ ἔπιε· καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν ἰσχύϊ τῆς ρώσεως ἐκείνης τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας καὶ τεσσαράκοντα νύκτας ἕως ὄρους Χωρήβ.

KJVAnd he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

JPSAnd he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meal forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Thomsonand having there gone into the cave and taken up his lodging there, behold a word of the Lord came to him and said, Why art thou come hither Elias?

BrentonAnd he entered there into a cave, and rested there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said, What doest thou here, Eliu?

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον, καὶ κατέλυσεν ἐκεῖ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ῥῆμα Κυρίου πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ εἶπε, τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα Ἠλιού;

KJVAnd he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

JPSAnd he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said unto him: ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’

ThomsonTo which he replied, I have been very zealous for the Lord Almighty, because the children of Israel hath forsaken Thee. They have demolished Thy altars and slain Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left and they seek my life to take it.

BrentonAnd Eliu said, I have been very jealous for the Lord Almighty, because the children of Israel have forsaken thee: they have digged down thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword; and I only am left alone, and they seek my life to take it.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ, ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ Κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπόν σε οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ· τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν.

KJVAnd he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

JPSAnd he said: ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.’

ThomsonAnd it said, Thou shalt go out to-morrow and stand before the Lord on the mount. Behold the Lord will pass by. Accordingly behold there was a mighty strong blast of wind rending mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, there was an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

BrentonAnd he said, Thou shalt go forth to-morrow, and shalt stand before the Lord in the mount; behold, the Lord will pass by. And, behold, a great and strong wind rending the mountains, and crushing the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, ἐξελεύσῃ αὔριον, καὶ στήσῃ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου ἐν τῷ ὄρει· ἰδοὺ παρελεύσεται Κύριος. Καὶλἰδοὺ πνεῦμα μέγα κραταιὸν διαλύον ὄρη καὶ συντρίβον πέτρας ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, οὐκ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι Κύριος· καὶ μετὰ τό πνεῦμα συσσεισμὸς, οὐκ ἐν τῷ συσσεισμῷ Κύριος·

KJVAnd he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

JPSAnd He said: ‘Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.’ And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake;

ThomsonAnd after the earthquake, a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was a sound of a gentle breeze

Brentonand after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire the voice of a gentle breeze.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ τὸν συσσεισμὸν πῦρ, οὐκ ἐν τῷ πυρὶ Κύριος· καὶ μετὰ τὸ πῦρ φωνὴ αὔρας λεπτῆς.

KJVAnd after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

JPSand after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Thomsonwhich when Elias heard, he covered his face with his mantle and went out and stood beneath the cave. And behold there came a voice to him and said, Why art thou come hither, Elias?

BrentonAnd it came to pass when Eliu heard, that he wrapt his face in his mantle, and went forth and stood in the cave: and, behold, a voice came to him and said, What doest thou here, Eliu?

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ ἐπεκάλυψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ μηλωτῇ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξῆλθε καὶ ἔστη ὑπὸ σπήλαιον· καὶ ἰδοὺ πρὸς αὐτὸν φωνὴ, καὶ εἶπε, τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα Ἠλιού;

KJVAnd it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

JPSAnd it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said: ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?’

ThomsonTo which Elias replied, I have been very zealous for the Lord Almighty, because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant. They have demolished Thy altars and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it.

BrentonAnd Eliu said, I have been very jealous for the Lord Almighty; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, and they have overthrown thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword! and I am left entirely alone, and they seek my life to take it.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιού, ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ Κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπον τὴν διαθήκην σου οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου καθεῖλαν, καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ, καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν.

KJVAnd he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

ThomsonAnd the Lord said to him, Go, return on thy way; and when thou art come to the way of the wilderness of Damascus, thou shalt go and anoint Azael to be king of Syria;

BrentonAnd the Lord said to him, Go, return, and thou shalt come into the way of the wilderness of Damascus: and thou shalt go and anoint Azael to be king over Syria.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς αὐτὸν, πορεύου, ἀνάστρεφε εἰς τὴν ὁδόν σου, καὶ ἥξεις εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν ἐρήμου Δαμασκοῦ· καὶ ἥξεις καὶ χρίσεις τὸν Ἀζαὴλ εἰς βασιλέα τῆς Συρίας·

KJVAnd the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

JPSAnd the LORD said unto him: ‘Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Aram;

Thomsonand thou shalt anoint Jehu son of Namessi to be king over Israel; and Elisha son of Saphat thou shalt anoint to be a prophet in thy stead.

BrentonAnd Ju the son of Namessi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisaie the son of Saphat shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

GreekΚαὶ τὸν Ἰοὺ υἱὸν Ναμεσσὶ χρίσεις εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ τὸν Ἑλισαιὲ υἱὸν Σαφὰτ χρίσεις εἰς προφήτην ἀντὶ σοῦ.

KJVAnd Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

JPSand Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

ThomsonAnd it shall come to pass that him who escapeth from the sword of Azael, Jehu will slay; and him who escapeth from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will slay.

BrentonAnd it shall come to pass, that him that escapes from the sword of Azael, Ju shall slay; and him that escapes from the sword of Ju, Elisaie shall slay.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται τὸν σωζόμενον ἐκ ῥομφαίας Ἀζαὴλ, θανατώσει Ἰού· καὶ τὸν σωζόμενον ἐκ ῥομφαίας Ἰοὺ, θανατώσει Ἑλισαιέ.

KJVAnd it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

JPSAnd it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay; and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

ThomsonBut thou shalt leave in Israel seven thousand men, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hath not worshipped him.

BrentonAnd thou shalt leave in Israel seven thousand men, all the knees which had not bowed themselves to Baal, and every mouth which had not worshipped him.

GreekΚαὶ καταλείψεις ἐν Ἰσραὴλ ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν, πάντα γόνατα ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βάαλ, καὶ πᾶν στόμα ὃ οὐ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ.

KJVYet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

JPSYet will I leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.’

ThomsonSo when he departed thence he found Elisha son of Saphat. He was ploughing with cattle.

BrentonAnd he departed thence, and finds Elisaie the son of Saphat, and he was ploughing with oxen; there were twelve yoke before him, and he with the twelve, and he passed by to him, and cast his mantle upon him.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ εὑρίσκει τὸν Ἑλισαιὲ υἱὸν Σαφὰτ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἠροτρία ἐν βουσί· δώδεκα ζεύγη ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τοῖς δώδεκα· καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐπέῥῥιψε τὴν μηλωτὴν αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτόν.

KJVSo he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

JPSSo he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; and Elijah passed over unto him, and cast his mantle upon him.

ThomsonThere were twelve yoke before him, and he was with the twelve. And as he passed by him, he threw his mantle on him. Whereupon Elisha left the cattle and ran after Elias and said, Let me salute my father and I will follow thee.

BrentonAnd Elisaie left the cattle, and ran after Eliu and said, I will kiss my father, and follow after thee. And Eliu said, Return, for I have done a work for thee.

GreekΚαὶ κατέλιπεν Ἑλισαιὲ τὰς βόας, καὶ κατέδραμεν ὀπίσω Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ εἶπε, καταφιλήσω τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ ἀκολουθήσω ὀπίσω σοῦ· καὶ εἶπεν Ἠλιοὺ, ἀνάστρεφε, ὅτι πεποίηκά σοι.

KJVAnd he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

JPSAnd he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said: ‘Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee.’ And he said unto him: ‘Go back; for what have I done to thee?’

ThomsonAnd Elias said, Return; for I have done with thee. So he returned from following him, and he took the cattle which were yoked, and slew them, and boiled them with the implements of the cattle, and gave them to the people, and when they had eaten, he arose and went after Elias and waited on him.

BrentonAnd he returned from following him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled them with the instruments of the oxen, and gave to the people, and they ate: and he arose, and went after Eliu, and ministered to him.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστρεψεν ἐξ ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ ζεύγη τῶν βοῶν, καὶ ἔθυσε καὶ ἥψησεν αὐτὰ ἐν τοῖς σκεύεσι τῶν βοῶν, καὶ ἔδωκε τῷ λαῷ, καὶ ἔφαγον· καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω Ἠλιοὺ, καὶ ἐλειτούργει αὐτῷ.

KJVAnd he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

JPSAnd he returned from following him, and took the yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.