Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 18:31
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
31. Elijah took twelve stones ] On a similar preparation for an altar, compare the command of Joshua (Jos 4:5) where the stones are also taken ‘according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel.’ In this way the unity of worship of the same one God was signified. Elijah’s prayer also recalls the still earlier memories of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.
of the sons of Jacob ] The LXX. reads , thus making the expression more nearly to accord with the passage of Joshua just quoted. Also instead of ‘he built an altar ’ the LXX. has ‘he built the stones,’ in the next verse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 31. Took twelve stones] He did this to show that all the twelve tribes of Israel should be joined in the worship of Jehovah.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This he did, partly, to renew the covenant between God and all the tribes, as Moses did, Exo 24:4; partly, to show that he prayed and acted in the name and for the service of the God of all the patriarchs, and of all the tribes of Israel, and for their good; and partly, to teach the people, that though the tribes were divided as to their civil government, they ought all to be united in the worship of the same God, and in the same religion.
Unto whom the word of the Lord came; which Jacob was graciously answered by God when he prayed to him, and was honoured with the glorious title of Israel, which noted his prevalency with God and men. And I, calling upon the same God, doubt not of a like gracious answer; and if ever you mean to have your prayers granted, you must not seek to Baal for it, who, as you now see, neither hears nor regards his most devout worshippers; but unto the God of Jacob; and if you would recover the honour which was once conferred upon Jacob, and continued a long time to his posterity, you must return to that God from whom you are revolted.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob,…. Which he might very easily come at from the mountain:
unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name, which signifies one that has power with God, as Jacob had, when the word came to him to make a change in his name at Penuel, Ge 32:28, and as Elijah hoped and believed he should have at this time, being a prophet, and a worshipper of Israel’s God.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) Twelve stones.The emphatic notice of these, as emblematic of the twelve tribes, is significant. In spite of political division, and even religious separation, the tribes were still united in the covenant of God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31. Twelve stones Indicative of the twelve tribes; and like those which were taken out of the midst of Jordan and set up at Gilgal, (Jos 4:3; Jos 4:20,) a memorial of the national unity and Divine election of Israel.
Israel shall be thy name Perhaps Elijah, while building the altar, audibly repeated these words in the ears of all the people, and would thus teach by word as well as symbol that the whole twelve tribes, not ten merely, were named Israel. The division of Israel into two kingdoms was the result of sin.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
Ver. 31. According to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob. ] To immind them that there ought to have been a common consent of the twelve tribes in the true service of God, and what a shame it was that it should be otherwise.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jacob. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read “Israel”, in harmony with 1Ki 18:36.
Israel. See note on Gen 32:28.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
twelve stones: Exo 24:4, Jos 4:3, Jos 4:4, Jos 4:20, Ezr 6:17, Jer 31:1, Eze 37:16-22, Eze 47:13, Eph 2:20, Eph 4:4-6, Rev 7:4-8, Rev 21:12
saying: Gen 32:28, Gen 33:20, Gen 35:10, 2Ki 17:34, Isa 48:1
Reciprocal: Gen 49:28 – every one Exo 28:21 – according to the twelve Lev 24:5 – General Deu 27:5 – And there Jos 4:9 – set up twelve Jos 8:31 – altar Job 1:5 – according Mat 19:28 – the twelve Rom 11:3 – digged Jam 1:1 – to
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 18:31. Elijah took twelve stones This he did, with a view to renew the covenant between God and all the tribes, as Moses did, Exo 24:4; to show, that he prayed and acted in the name and for the service of the God of all the patriarchs, and of all the tribes of Israel, and for their good: and to teach the people, that though the tribes were divided as to their civil government, they ought all to be united in the worship of the same God, and in the same religion. Israel shall be thy name Jacob was graciously answered by God when he prayed to him, and was honoured with the glorious title of Israel, which noted his prevalency with God and men. And I, calling upon the same God, doubt not of a gracious answer; and if ever you mean to have your prayers granted, you must seek to the God of Jacob. And if you would recover the honour which was once conferred on Jacob, and continued a long time to his posterity, you must return to that God from whom you are revolted.