1 Kings 19:18

18 But I still have 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not knelt to worship Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

1 Kings 19:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 19:18

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel
From perishing by the sword of either of them:

all the knees which have not bowed to Baal;
that is, had not worshipped him, which was signified by this gesture:

and every mouth which hath not kissed him;
either the image of Baal itself, or the hand, in reverence of him; which rites, one or other, or both, were used by his worshippers; (See Gill on Hosea 13:2). This either refers, as some think, to the present time, and so is an answer to Elijah, who thought he was the only worshipper left with which seems to agree ( Romans 11:2-4 ) , or to the times to come, when destruction should be made by the above persons, and when God would have some faithful worshippers, and would take care of them; so some render the words, "I will reserve" ^F25.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (ytravhw) "reservabo vel servabo", Vatablus; so V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version.

1 Kings 19:18 In-Context

16 Anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel. And anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah as prophet to take your place.

17 If anyone escapes from Hazael's sword, Jehu will kill him. And if anyone escapes from Jehu's sword, Elisha will kill him.

18 But I still have 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not knelt to worship Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

19 Elijah found Elisha, son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing behind 12 pairs of oxen. He was using the twelfth pair. Elijah took off his coat and put it on Elisha.

20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye. Then I will follow you." "Go back," Elijah answered him. "I'm not stopping you."