1 Kings 19:12 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context

Both translations, side by side

How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses and, lord, while the WEB renders these as passed, yahweh, there. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.

In context

1 Kings 19:12 in 1 Kings 19

A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Kings 19:12 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Kings 19. Read the full chapter →

1. v.10 He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
2. v.11 He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.
3. v.12 After the earthquake a fire passed; but Yahweh was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.
4. v.13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
5. v.14 He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Book background

About the Book of 1 Kings

Testament

Old Testament

Genre

Historical narrative

Author

Unknown (traditionally Jeremiah)

Date written

c. 561–538 BC

Audience

Jews in Babylonian exile

Chapters

22

1 Kings opens with Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and the building of the Jerusalem temple. After his idolatrous decline, the kingdom split: Israel in the north under Jeroboam, Judah in the south under Rehoboam. The second half follows the prophets Elijah and Elisha confronting Ahab, Jezebel, and the worship of Baal.

Setting: From Solomon's reign through the divided kingdom to mid-9th century.

Key themes: wisdom · temple · division · idolatry · prophecy

Read 1 Kings from the beginning →

Memorisation aid

How to memorise 1 Kings 19:12

1 Kings 19:12 contains 22 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.

1. 1

   After the earthquake a fire passed

   ATEAFP

2. 2

   but Yahweh was not in the fire

   BYWNIT

3. 3

   After the fire

   ATF

4. 4

   there was a still small voice.

   TWASSV

Frequently asked

FAQ about 1 Kings 19:12