1 Kings 18:27

1 Kings 18:27

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.

a. mocked [2048 * hathal] [Gesenius: to mock, deceive,  deceive.]

b. pursuing [7873 * siyg] [Gesenius: withdrawing, moving away.]

1). There are a few translations that when defining the Hebrew word “siyg” Strong’s number 7873, give the meaning of going to the bathroom, i.e., ‘relieving’ himself. The New Living Translation, English Standard Version are a couple that do so. I wanted to find out for sure if this translation was accurate so I did a little digging. Sure enough I found in my own possession AMG’s Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament that had the following note as their definition.

a). “A masculine noun meaning pursuit, a moving away. It is used in a striking and mocking way of the pagan god, Baal, who evidently had gone aside to relieve himself.”

2). I also found the following interesting information at the web site:  http://www.millstreetcoc.org/Bulletin/What%20was%20Baal%20doing.htm

a). “I think there is little doubt that Elijah uses the word sig euphemistically
rather than literally. I believe the NLT, ESV, and Living Bible are accurate in
their translation choices in this verse. Many of the older and contemporary
Hebrew lexicons provide evidence that their translation choices are correct.
Ludwig Koehler and Walter Baumgartner, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, volume 3, E.J. Brill Publishers, 1996, indicates that "expulsion, defecation" are within the range of meaning. Georg Fohrer, Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament, page 270, gives "bowel movement" as the meaning. Benjamin Davies and Edward C. Mitchell, Student's Hebrew Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing, 1960 printing, page 634, says "he has a turning aside or privacy, i.e. he has withdrawn to ease nature."  Ludwig Koehlerand Walter Baumgartner, A Bilingual Dictionary of the Hebrew and Aramaic Old Testament, English and German, E. J. Brill Publishers, 1998, page 919, reads "excrement, motion...he has to go to the privy." William L. Holladay, A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Eerdman's-E.J. Brill, 1971, 1988, page 350, says "bowel movement." William A.
VanGemeren, New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology 
and Exegesis, Zondervan Publishers, 1997, volume 3, page 1233, indicates the meaning of sig is "excrement...relieving himself." It was all out war against the
prophets of Baal and Baal himself! There was no ground of compromise, nor were
any terms sought.”

c. Elijah’s sarcastic mocking of the prophets of Baal is very encouraging and faith building. It reminds me of the sarcasm Isaiah wrote concerning those who worship idols of wood.

1). Isaiah 44:9-20 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

d. Beyond the mocking sarcasm though there is the real danger of what is involved with idolatry, that is the worship of devils, demon spirits.

1). 1 Corinthians 10:19, 20 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.