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Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 19:18

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.

1 Kings19:18

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him .

Or, I have reserved to my self; I have by my Grace kept from the common contagion: therefore thou art mistaken to think that thou art left alone, or that the People are universally corrupted. Or, I trill reserve, from the slaughters last mentioned, and from Iezabel's Rage▪

Either, definitely so many: or rathe[illegible: 1+ letters], indefinitely, for many thousands; the number of seven being oft used for a great number, as Lev. 26. 18. Psal. 12. 6. Mic. 5. 5. Zech. 3. 9. Luk. 17. 4. For it is altogether improbable that all the Israelites, except 7000, did worship Baal: except Baal be here Synecdochically put for all their Idols, and the Calves among others.

i. e. All those who have not worshipped Baal, nor professed reverence or subjection to him: which Idolaters did to their Idols, by bowing the Knee, Rom. 11. 4. compare Rom. 14. 11. Phil. 2. 10. and by kissing them, or by kissing their hand with their mouth, before them, and in respect to them; of which mention is made both in Scripture, as Iob 31. 26, 27. Hos. 13. 2. compare Psal. 2. 12. and in Pliny, Apulei[illegible: 1+ letters]s, and other profane Authors. And God chuseth these expressions here, to teach men, that it is not sufficient to deny inward veneration of mind and heart to Idols, unless they do also forbear all outward significations of worship or reverence to them; and that he will own none for his People that do otherwise.

Marginal references: Rom. 11. 4.; Or, I will leave.

Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, 1 Kings 19:18. Public domain.

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