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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

Context of 1 Kings 19:21

19So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 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.

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 whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.
• Luke 5:28and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
• 1 Kings 18:43“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
• Exodus 24:13Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
• Numbers 27:18So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.
• 2 Kings 2:3The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
• 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
• Acts 13:5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
• 2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
• Philemon 1:13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains 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