Verse

1 Kings 18:21 — And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye…

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
1 Kings 18:21 · KJV

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The verses around 1 Kings 18:21.

19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.

20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

Read the full chapter of 1 Kings 18 →

Verse explanation

The original expression carries the idea of limping, wavering between two opinions at once. Elijah challenges the people to stop trying to serve both Baal and the LORD and finally choose one of the two paths.

From the 1 Kings 18 study in Bible in Stories.

1 Kings 18:21 in other versions

The same verse in the 4 Bible versions we have on the site.

  • KJV · King James

    And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

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  • ARC · Almeida 1911Português

    Então Elias se chegou a todo o povo, e disse: Até quando coxeareis entre dois pensamentos? se o Senhor é Deus, segui-o; e se Baal, segui-o. Porém o povo lhe não respondeu nada

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  • BLIVRE · Bíblia LivrePortuguês

    E aproximando-se Elias a todo o povo, disse: Até quando hesitareis vós entre dois pensamentos? Se o SENHOR é Deus, segui-lhe; e se Baal, ide depois dele. E o povo não respondeu palavra.

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  • VBL · Versión Biblia LibreEspañol

    Elías se acercó al pueblo y les preguntó: “¿Hasta cuándo van a andar cojeando, dudando entre dos creencias opuestas? Si el Señor es Dios, entonces síganlo. Pero si Baal es Dios, entonces síganlo”. Pero la gente no respondió.

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In other languages: Português (1 Reis 18:21) · Español (1 Reyes 18:21)

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