1 Kings 18:21-24

18:21 Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? ¹  If the Lord is the true God, ²  then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word. 18:22 Elijah said to them: ³  “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal. 18:23 Let them bring us two bulls. Let them choose one of the bulls for themselves, cut it up into pieces, and place it on the wood. But they must not set it on fire. I will do the same to the other bull and place it on the wood. But I will not set it on fire. 18:24 Then you ⁴  will invoke the name of your god, and I will invoke the name of the Lord. The god who responds with fire will demonstrate that he is the true God.” ⁵  All the people responded, “This will be a fair test.” ⁶ 

1 Kings 18:36-37

18:36 When it was time for the evening offering, ⁷  Elijah the prophet approached the altar ⁸  and prayed: “O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, prove ⁹  today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 18:37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are the true God ¹⁰  and that you are winning back their allegiance.” ¹¹ 

¹ 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.

² tn Heb “the God.”

³ tn Heb “to the people.”

⁵ tn Elijah now directly addresses the prophets.

⁶ tn Heb “the God.”

⁷ tn Heb “The matter [i.e., proposal] is good [i.e., acceptable].”

⁷ tn Heb “at the offering up of the offering.”

⁸ tn The words “the altar” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

⁹ tn Heb “let it be known.”

⁹ tn Heb “the God.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “that you are turning their heart[s] back.”