Definition: And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 1 Kings 18:28. It’s a really powerful and dramatic moment in the story of Elijah’s confrontation with God. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: This verse comes after Elijah is sent by God to test the faith of King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. They've made a deal with fallen angels – they want to provoke God with their wickedness. God sends a massive, fiery dragon down from heaven! What Happened Next: They Tried to Fight: The king and his wife, in their arrogance and defiance of God, tried to fight the dragon. They were trying to defeat it, not understand it. They Were Hurt: As they fought, they were injured – they cut themselves with knives and lancets (think sharp metal tools). The Blood Flowed Out: Crucially, this action wasn’t just a simple fight. The blood gushed out upon them. What it Means – A Symbolic Interpretation: This verse isn't about literal violence. It's a powerful symbol of: A Test of Faith: Elijah was being tested to see how God would respond to their stubborn refusal to acknowledge His authority and the consequences of their actions. The Power of God’s Wrath: The dragon represents God's righteous judgment and wrath against evil. Elijah’s response – self-inflicted wounds – symbolizes a willingness to suffer for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming power. A Sacrifice of Pride: It also speaks to the importance of recognizing our limitations and needing to submit to God's will. In short, it's about a desperate attempt to defy God’s authority, leading to a painful consequence – a demonstration of faith and submission. Important Note: This is a difficult passage to interpret. It’s often seen as symbolic and has been debated for centuries. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this story? Offer different possible interpretations of the symbolism?