Matthew Poole and continuators on James 5:17

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are , and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain , and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months .

Both of Body and Mind, natural and moral; and so though he were righteous, yet he was not perfect, though an eminent Prophet, yet but a Man.

With that effectual, fervent Prayer before mentioned. It is an Hebrew phrase, and notes vehemency, as Luke 22.15.

This is not expresly mentioned in the History, but this Apostle might have it by Revelation, or by certain Tradition well known in his Age. Other passages of the like nature we meet with in the New Testament which are not in the Old. See 1 Tim. 3.8. Heb. 12.21. Iude 9.

Or, the Land, viz. of the Ten Tribes, and the places bordering on them, as Sarepta, 1 King. 17.9. Luke 4.25, 2[illegible: 1 letter].

So Luke 4.25. Q. How doth this agree with 1 King. 18.1 where it is said, the word of the Lord came to Elijah about the third year? A. Most probably it was in the midst of the third year from his coming to Sarepta; and he was by the Brook Cherith a year, 1 King 17.7. where the Margin read it according to the Hebrew, at the end of days, i. e. the days of a year, as the phrase is often used, Gen. 4.3. Iudg. 17.10. So that his time spent in both places may well make up the three years and six months.

Marginal references: Acts 14.15.; Or, in his Prayer.