1 Kings 18:18-21

18:18 Elijah ¹  replied, “I have not brought disaster ²  on Israel. But you and your father’s dynasty have, by abandoning the Lord’s commandments and following the Baals. 18:19 Now send out messengers ³  and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports. ⁴ 

18:20 Ahab sent messengers to all the Israelites and had the prophets assemble at Mount Carmel. 18:21 Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? ⁵  If the Lord is the true God, ⁶  then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word.

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¹ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Or “trouble.”

³ tn The word “messengers” is supplied in the translation both here and in v. 20 for clarification.

⁴ tn Heb “who eat at the table of Jezebel.”

⁵ tn Heb “How long are you going to limp around on two crutches?” (see HALOT 762 s.v. סְעִפִּים). In context this idiomatic expression refers to indecision rather than physical disability.

⁶ tn Heb “the God.”