1 Kings 18:27 — Meaning and Application

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress {it} first; for ye {are} many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire {under}.

And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed {it}, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But {there was} no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. {hear: or, answer} {answered: or, heard} {leaped...: or, leaped up and down at the altar}

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he {is} a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, {or} peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. {aloud: Heb. with a great voice} {he is talking: or, he meditateth} {is pursuing: Heb. hath a pursuit}

And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. {the blood...: Heb. poured out blood upon them}

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the {time} of the offering of the {evening} sacrifice, that {there was} neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. {offering: Heb. ascending} {that regarded: Heb. attention}