1 Kings 18 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 18:10, MT 18:45
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
1 Kings 18
Witness kept alive amid fear
Editorial Christian reading: Obadiah’s protection of the prophets and Elijah’s return place service to God under the pressure of royal power.
18:1–16 | Obadiah and Elijah meet during the famine
Verse MT 18:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:1
After many days, YHWH’s word came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will give rain on the face of the ground.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:1
After many days, the Lord’s word came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go and show yourself to Ahab, and I will give rain on the face of the land.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The third-year notice, command, and promise agree. The verse does not itself specify the starting point for counting the year, so no harmonized drought chronology is inserted.
Verse MT 18:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:2
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:2
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The prophet’s response and the severity of the famine agree.
Verse MT 18:3 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:3
Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. Obadiah feared YHWH greatly.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:3
Ahab called Obadiah the steward. Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The household office and Obadiah’s reverence agree. Obadiah normalizes the corresponding Greek Abdiou; the verse does not identify him as the author of the prophetic book.
Verse MT 18:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:4
When Jezebel was cutting off YHWH’s prophets, Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them fifty men to a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:4
When Jezebel was striking the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took a hundred men who were prophets, hid them fifty to a cave, and sustained them with bread and water.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both preserve the hundred hidden prophets and their provisioning. Hebrew uses cutting off, Greek striking; the later retelling in verse 13 explicitly describes killing in both.
Rabbinic: Rashi understands fifty men in one cave and fifty in another [R18, on 18:4]. His accessed comment does not state a motive for this division.
Verse MT 18:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:5
Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the water springs and all the wadis. Perhaps we will find grass and keep horses and mules alive, so we do not lose some of the livestock.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:5
Ahab said to Obadiah, “Come, let us pass through the land to water springs and wadis. Perhaps we will find grass and preserve horses and mules, so they are not destroyed from among the livestock.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew commands Obadiah to go and includes all twice; Greek invites joint travel. Hebrew has an active we do not cut off or lose, Greek a passive they are not destroyed. The compact livestock clause is rendered provisionally without inventing a slaughter order.
Verse MT 18:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:6
They divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:6
They divided the route between them to pass through it. Ahab went one way alone, and Obadiah went another way alone.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew names the land divided for the search; Greek names the route. Both state that the two went separately and alone.
Verse MT 18:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:7
As Obadiah was on the way, look, Elijah came to meet him. He recognized him, fell on his face, and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:7
Obadiah was on the way alone, and Elijah came to meet him alone. Obadiah hurried, fell on his face, and said, “Is it you yourself, my lord Elijah?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek repeats alone for both men and describes Obadiah hurrying where Hebrew describes recognition. The address my lord is human deference, not a divine title.
Verse MT 18:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:8
He said to him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Look, Elijah is here.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:8
Elijah said to him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Look, Elijah is here.’”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The instruction agrees; Greek explicitly names Elijah. Is here supplies the ordinary English sense of the verbless announcement.
Verse MT 18:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:9
He said, “How have I sinned, that you are giving your servant into Ahab’s hand to put me to death?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:9
Obadiah said, “How have I sinned, that you are giving your servant into Ahab’s hand to put me to death?
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The fearful question agrees, with Greek naming Obadiah. Your servant is deferential speech here; the wording alone does not establish enslavement to Elijah.
Verse MT 18:10 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:10
As YHWH your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made the kingdom and nation swear that they had not found you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:10
As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he burned the kingdom and its territories, because he had not found you.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew describes requiring an oath from kingdoms and nations; Greek describes burning a kingdom and its territories. The final clause also shifts from their failure to find Elijah to his failure. This is a substantial difference in the violence attributed to Ahab’s search.
Verse MT 18:11 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:11
Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Look, Elijah is here.”’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:11
Now you say, ‘Go, report to your lord, “Look, Elijah is here.”’
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Obadiah repeats the instruction in both texts.
Verse MT 18:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:12
When I leave you, YHWH’s Spirit may carry you where I do not know. I will come to tell Ahab, and he will not find you, and he will kill me. Yet your servant has feared YHWH from my youth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:12
If I leave you, the Lord’s Spirit will carry you to a land I do not know. I will come to report to Ahab, and he will kill me. Yet your servant has feared the Lord from his youth.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek expressly names an unknown land and lacks he will not find you. Hebrew ends with my youth, Greek his youth in the servant expression. The possible disappearance is Obadiah’s fear, not a narrated event here.
Verse MT 18:13 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:13
Has my lord not been told what I did when Jezebel was killing YHWH’s prophets—how I hid a hundred men from YHWH’s prophets, fifty men to a cave, and sustained them with bread and water?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:13
Have you, my lord, not been told what I did when Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets—how I hid a hundred men from the Lord’s prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retell the rescue and feeding with the same number and arrangement. Greek expressly addresses you alongside my lord.
Verse MT 18:14 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:14
Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Look, Elijah is here.”’ He will kill me!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:14
Now you say to me, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Look, Elijah is here.”’ He will kill me!”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The repeated instruction and fear agree, with Greek’s explicit to me.
Verse MT 18:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:15
Elijah said, “As YHWH of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:15
Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The oath and assurance of an appearance that day agree. Hosts preserves the divine title in both sources.
Verse MT 18:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:16
Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Ahab went to meet Elijah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:16
Obadiah went to meet Ahab and reported to him. Ahab ran out and went to meet Elijah.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek adds Ahab’s running out. Both preserve Obadiah’s report and the ensuing meeting.
18:17–24 | The summons to Carmel and the call to choose
Verse MT 18:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:17
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, the one troubling Israel?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:17
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to Elijah, “Is it you yourself, the one perverting Israel?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s troubling or bringing disaster contrasts with Greek’s twisting or perverting. The charge belongs to Ahab’s speech, not to the narrator’s judgment of Elijah.
Verse MT 18:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:18
He said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, by forsaking YHWH’s commandments; you have followed the Baals.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:18
Elijah said, “I am not perverting Israel, but you and your father’s house are, by abandoning the Lord your God; you have followed the Baalim.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names the commandments forsaken; Greek names the Lord your God abandoned. The response preserves each source’s accusation verb. Baalim retains Greek’s transliteration of the Hebrew plural Baals.
Verse MT 18:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:19
Now send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:19
Now send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred fifty prophets of shame and the four hundred prophets of the groves who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek calls the first group prophets of shame and the second prophets of the groves. Hebrew names Baal and Asherah. Both preserve the two totals and the table provision without changing the groups into one number.
Verse MT 18:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:20
Ahab sent throughout all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:20
Ahab sent throughout all Israel and gathered all the prophets at Mount Carmel.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek includes all before the prophets; Hebrew expressly calls Israel its children. The summons and location agree.
Verse MT 18:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:21
Elijah came near all the people and said, “How long will you limp between two opinions? If YHWH is God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him.” The people did not answer him a word.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:21
Elijah came near them all and said to them, “How long will you limp on both your knees? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal is, follow him.” The people did not answer a word.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s divided opinions or branches image is rendered provisionally as two opinions. Greek has the backs of the knees, expressed as knees here. Both retain limping and the demand to choose; the bodily images are not silently made identical.
Rabbinic: Rashi explains the divided stance as hesitation between two thoughts about whom to worship [R18]. This contextual explanation does not remove the differing bodily expressions in the main texts.
Verse MT 18:22 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:22
Elijah said to the people, “I alone remain as a prophet of YHWH, but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:22
Elijah said to the people, “I remain as the Lord’s prophet utterly alone, but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men, and the grove’s prophets are four hundred.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek includes the additional four hundred grove prophets again here; Hebrew does not. Elijah’s alone is his speech in this confrontation, alongside the previously narrated hundred hidden prophets, not a correction of that earlier account.
Verse MT 18:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:23
Let them give us two bulls. Let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:23
Let them give us two oxen. Let them choose one for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it. I will prepare the other ox, but I will certainly put no fire under it.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek lacks Elijah’s explicit placing on the wood in the final clause and uses a more general cattle term. Both preserve the prohibition on supplying fire; under it expresses the contextual relation without adding an ignition method.
Verse MT 18:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:24
Call on the name of your god, and I will call on YHWH’s name. The God who answers by fire—He is God.” All the people answered, “The proposal is good.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:24
Cry out in the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord my God. The God who answers by fire—He is God.” All the people answered, “The proposal you have spoken is good.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly has plural gods and adds my God and you have spoken. Hebrew elohim is rendered singular in the Baal context. The agreed sign is the answering fire, without an invented additional test.
The God who answers and the prayer that seeks rain
Apostolic reception: James 5:17–18 recalls Elijah as a human being whose prayer was heard [C2]. Christian reception remains distinct from the narrated killing at the Kishon.
18:25–29 | Baal’s prophets call without an answer
Verse MT 18:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:25
Elijah said to Baal’s prophets, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many. Call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:25
Elijah said to the prophets of shame, “Choose one young bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many. Call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek again uses prophets of shame and a young-bull term. Unlike its plural in verse 24, Greek here has singular god. The order of preparation agrees.
Verse MT 18:26 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:26
They took the bull given to them and prepared it. They called on Baal’s name from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice and no one answering. They limped about the altar that had been made.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:26
They took the young bull and prepared it. They called on Baal’s name from morning until noon, saying, “Hear us, Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice and no hearing. They ran about on the altar they had made.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew includes the bull’s being given, while leaving the giver implicit, and repeats the limping verb from verse 21. Greek repeats hear us and describes running on the altar. Hebrew’s singular maker is left implicit; Greek explicitly has they made.
Verse MT 18:27 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:27
At noon Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry with a loud voice, for he is a god! He may be occupied in thought, or withdrawn, or on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must wake up!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:27
At noon Elijah the Tishbite mocked them and said, “Call with a loud voice, for he is a god! He has chattering to do; perhaps he is also conducting business, or perhaps he is asleep and will get up!”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The mockery’s activities differ. Hebrew’s siag or sig expression, rendered withdrawn, is uncertain and can be understood as a euphemistic private activity; the Greek has business language and no journey. Greek adds the Tishbite. These are taunts, not the narrator’s description of Baal’s existence.
Verse MT 18:28 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:28
They cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances, until blood poured over them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:28
They called with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with knives and lances, until blood poured over them.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both preserve the ritual cutting and blood, with a slight difference in the blade term. No additional technique or invented ritual symbolism is supplied.
Verse MT 18:29 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:29
After noon had passed, they prophesied until the time for offering the grain offering. But there was no voice, no one answering, and no attention.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:29
They prophesied until the late afternoon had passed. When it was time for the sacrifice to go up and there was no voice, Elijah the Tishbite spoke to the prophets of offenses: “Move away now, and I will prepare my burnt offering.” They moved away and departed.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek expands the transition with Elijah’s command and the prophets’ departure, and has a different time expression. Hebrew ends with three negatives; Greek has no voice before the added dialogue. Prophesied preserves the source verb without an invented diagnosis of ecstatic behavior.
18:30–40 | Elijah’s altar, prayer, fire, and the killing of the prophets
Verse MT 18:30 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:30
Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” All the people came near him. He repaired YHWH’s altar, which had been torn down.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:30
Elijah said to the people, “Come near me.” All the people came near him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew includes the altar repair here. Greek gives its repair in verse 32, so it is not supplied a second time in this row.
Verse MT 18:31 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:31
Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Jacob’s sons, to whom YHWH’s word had come, saying, “Israel will be your name.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:31
Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of Israel’s tribes, as the Lord had spoken to him, saying, “Israel will be your name.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names Jacob and his sons, making the renamed ancestor explicit. Greek names Israel’s tribes and retains the less explicit to him. Neither column replaces the renaming quotation with a paraphrase of national unity.
Verse MT 18:32 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:32
He built the stones into an altar in YHWH’s name and made a trench around the altar, with room for two seahs of seed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:32
He built the stones in the Lord’s name and repaired the altar that had been demolished. He made a trench around the altar, holding two metretes of seed.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek places the repair here and uses the loanword thaala for the water-holding trench [D12]. The measures differ, seahs and metretes. Hebrew’s room-for expression may describe capacity or the space associated with that quantity of seed; no exact dimensions are inferred.
Verse MT 18:33 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:33
He arranged the wood, cut the bull in pieces, and placed it on the wood.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:33
He piled the split wood on the altar he had made, cut the burnt offering in pieces, placed it on the split wood, and piled it on the altar.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly names the altar twice and describes split wood and a burnt offering rather than the bull. Its final piling repetition is retained. This row follows the source editions’ verse boundary; some English Bibles include the first water command in verse 33.
Verse MT 18:34 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:34
He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and the wood.” He said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time. He said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:34
He said, “Bring me four water jars of water and pour it on the burnt offering and the split wood.” They did so. He said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time. He said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew commands filling four jars; Greek commands bringing them and explicitly narrates the first compliance. Both preserve the three applications. No source or transport distance for the water is invented.
Verse MT 18:35 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:35
The water ran around the altar, and he also filled the trench with water.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:35
The water ran around the altar, and they filled the trench with water.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has singular he filled, Greek plural they filled. The Greek loanword thaala is translated trench as in verse 32 [D12].
Verse MT 18:36 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:36
At the time for offering the grain offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “YHWH, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:36
Elijah cried out to heaven and said, “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, hear me, Lord! Hear me today with fire, and let all this people know that You are the Lord, the God of Israel, and I am Your servant, and that I have done these works because of You.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek gives a cry to heaven and an expanded appeal for fire, without the Hebrew timing, approach, or prophet title here. Hebrew says at Your word, Greek because of You. The different prayer forms are retained in full. Hebrew Your word follows the singular read form against the written plural displayed in [R18].
Rabbinic: Rashi explains the appeal to God’s command as Elijah’s answer to the objection that sacrifice outside the established place was forbidden [R18]. The exceptional authorization belongs to the cited interpretation.
Verse MT 18:37 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:37
Answer me, YHWH, answer me, so this people may know that You, YHWH, are God, and that You have turned their heart backward.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:37
Hear me, Lord! Hear me with fire, and let this people know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned this people’s heart backward.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek expressly repeats with fire and this people’s heart. Both attribute the turning backward to God. Whether the closing expression stresses restoration or looks back on the people’s turning away requires interpretation; backward preserves the difficult wording rather than inserting repentance or an explanation of divine causation.
Rabbinic: In one explanation, Rashi understands the backward turning as God’s allowing the people room to turn away, though He could direct their hearts [R18]. This differs from a restorative reading; the difficult direction remains open in the translation.
Verse MT 18:38 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:38
YHWH’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water in the trench.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:38
Fire from the Lord fell from heaven and consumed the burnt offering, the split wood, and the water in the trench; the fire licked up the stones and the dust.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly says from heaven and changes the objects of consuming and licking: water is consumed, stones and dust are licked up. Hebrew has water as the object licked up. All listed materials are retained.
Verse MT 18:39 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:39
All the people saw, fell on their faces, and said, “YHWH—He is God! YHWH—He is God!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:39
All the people fell on their faces and said, “Truly the Lord is God! He is God!”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew includes their seeing and repeats the complete confession twice. Greek adds truly and gives a shorter second confession. Both narrate the people’s acknowledgment after the fire.
Verse MT 18:40 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:40
Elijah said to them, “Seize Baal’s prophets! Let none of them escape.” They seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon wadi and slaughtered them there.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:40
Elijah said to the people, “Seize Baal’s prophets! Let none of them be spared.” They seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon wadi and slaughtered them there.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The seizure and slaughter agree, with escape versus be saved or spared in the prohibition. The text attributes the slaughter to Elijah; no judicial hearing or further divine command is inserted into the account.
18:41–46 | The cloud, the rain, and the journey to Jezreel
Verse MT 18:41 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:41
Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of abundant rain.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:41
Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of the rain’s footsteps.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew describes the noise or abundance of rain; Greek personifies the rain with feet or footsteps. The distinctive Greek image is retained.
Verse MT 18:42 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:42
Ahab went up to eat and drink. Elijah went up to Carmel’s summit, bent down to the ground, and put his face between his knees.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:42
Ahab went up to eat and drink. Elijah went up onto Carmel, bent down to the ground, and put his face between his knees.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew expressly names the summit. The two movements and Elijah’s bodily posture otherwise agree.
Verse MT 18:43 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:43
He said to his young attendant, “Please go up and look toward the sea.” He went up, looked, and said, “There is nothing.” He said, “Go back seven times.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:43
He said to his young attendant, “Go up and look toward the sea.” The young attendant looked and said, “There is nothing.” Elijah said, “Go back seven times.” The young attendant went back seven times.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew expressly narrates the attendant’s first ascent. Greek names the attendant and Elijah and adds explicit fulfillment of the seven returns. The repeated searching is not shortened to a single look.
Verse MT 18:44 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:44
At the seventh time he said, “Look, a little cloud like a man’s palm is rising from the sea.” He said, “Go up, tell Ahab, ‘Harness up and go down, so the rain does not hold you back.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:44
At the seventh time, look, a little cloud like a man’s footprint was bringing up water. He said, “Go up, tell Ahab, ‘Harness your chariot and go down, so the rain does not overtake you.’”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew compares the cloud to a palm and describes it rising from the sea; Greek compares it to a footprint and describes bringing up water. Greek explicitly names the chariot. No sea phrase is inserted into the Greek clause.
Verse MT 18:45 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:45
Meanwhile the heavens grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:45
Meanwhile the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Ahab wept and went to Jezreel.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew says Ahab rode; the selected Greek says he wept. The Greek is not corrected to riding from the Hebrew or from the preceding chariot command. Neither text supplies an emotional reason here.
Saints: James 5:18 associates the returning rain and the earth’s fruit with Elijah’s renewed prayer [C2]. It does not supply a missing prayer clause or alter the distinct travel verbs here.
Verse MT 18:46 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 18:46
YHWH’s hand was upon Elijah. He bound up his waist and ran before Ahab as far as the approach to Jezreel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 18:46
The Lord’s hand was upon Elijah. He bound up his waist and ran before Ahab as far as Jezreel.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The divine-hand expression and running agree. Hebrew describes reaching the approach to the city; Greek names the city as the endpoint without that expression. No speed or journey time is calculated.