1 Kings 19:21

1 Kings 19:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
• New International Version (NIV)So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Context of 1 Kings 19:21

19So Elijah departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his mantle (coat) on him. 20He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother [goodbye], then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go on back; for what have I done to [stop] you?” So Elisha left him and went back. Then he took a pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their meat with the implements of the oxen [as fuel], and gave the meat to the people, and they ate. Then he stood and followed Elijah, and served him.

1 Kings 19:21 word by word

וַיָּ֨שָׁב מֵאַחֲרָ֜יו וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־צֶ֧מֶד הַבָּקָ֣ר וַיִּזְבָּחֵ֗הוּ וּבִכְלִ֤י הַבָּקָר֙ בִּשְּׁלָ֣ם הַבָּשָׂ֔ר וַיִּתֵּ֥ן לָעָ֖ם וַיֹּאכֵ֑לוּ וַיָּ֗קָם וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ אַחֲרֵ֥י אֵלִיָּ֖הוּ וַיְשָׁרְתֵֽהוּ׃ פRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And he returned backשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from himאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• and tookלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
• a yokeצֶ֫מֶדtsemed · pairH6776
• of oxenבָּקָרbâqâr · cattleH1241
• and slewזָבַחzâbach · to sacrificeH2076
• them, and boiledבָּשַׁלbâshal · to boilH1310
• their fleshבָּשָׂרbâώâr · fleshH1320
• with the instrumentsכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
• and gaveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• unto the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• and they did eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• Then he aroseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
• and wentיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• Elijahאֵלִיָּה'êlîyâh 'êlîyâhû · ElijahH452
• and ministeredשָׁרַתshârath · to ministerH8334

Cross-references for 1 Kings 19:21

• 2 Samuel 24:22Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up whatever seems good to him. Look, here are oxen for the burnt offering, and threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.
• Luke 5:28And he left everything behind and got up and began to follow Jesus [as His disciple].
• 1 Kings 18:43and he said to his servant, “Go up, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” Elijah said, “Go back” seven times.
• Exodus 24:13So Moses arose with Joshua his attendant, and he went up to the mountain of God.
• Numbers 27:18The Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
• 2 Kings 2:3Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it; be quiet [about it].”
• 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here from whom we may inquire of the Lord?” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water over Elijah’s hands.”
• Acts 13:5When Barnabas and Saul arrived at Salamis, they began to preach the word of God [proclaiming the message of eternal salvation through faith in Christ] in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John [Mark] as their assistant.
• 2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry.
• Philemon 1:13I would have chosen to keep him with me, so that he might minister to me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;

Commentaries on 1 Kings 19:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21He returned back - He went home to his house; probably he yet lived with his parents, for it appears he was a single man: and he slew a yoke of the oxen - he made a feast for his household, having boiled the flesh of the oxen with his agricultural implements, probably in token that he had abandoned secular life: then, having bidden them an affectionate farewell, he arose, went after Elijah, who probably still awaited his coming in the field or its…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Elisha returns to his oxen and laborers. He indicates his relinquishment of his home and calling by the slaughter of the particular yoke of oxen with which he had himself been plowing, probably the best beasts of the twelve, and by burning the “instruments,” the p oughs and yokes, both made of wood. Next he feasts his people to show his gratitude for his call, Elijah apparently remaining the while; and then, leaving father and mother, cattle and land…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-21Verses 19-21 Elijah found Elisha by Divine direction, not in the schools of the prophets, but in the field; not reading, or praying, or sacrificing, but ploughing. Idleness is no man's honour, nor is husbandry any man's disgrace. An honest calling in the world, does not put us out of the way of our heavenly calling, any more than it did Elisha. His heart was touched by the Holy Spirit, and he was ready to leave all to attend Elijah. It is in a day of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Elisha burned his plow and slaughtered his oxen to show he was leaving his old life behind. From then on, he would serve the Lord. His meal with family and friends might have been a thanksgiving sacrifice to God, ending with a joyful meal celebrating God's call on Elisha's life. Elisha would first serve as the assistant of Elijah. Great leaders often start as good learners. Joshua was the assistant of Moses (Exodus 24:13) before becoming his successor…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. took a yoke of oxen--Having hastily prepared (2Sa 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Kings 19:21

• Elijah
• Elisha
• Excuses
• Liberality
• Obedience
• Procrastination

In the dictionaries

• Elijah
• Ahab
• Jealous
• Quotations
• Set
• Yoke
• Boil (2)
• Cattle
• Gehazi
• Instrument

Commentaries on 1 Kings 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings