Definition: And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from the Book of 2 Kings: “2 Kings 1:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.” Here's what it means in simpler terms: Elijah was a prophet: Elijah was a very important person who spoke with God. He was known for his powerful words and actions. He’s asking for permission: Elijah is essentially telling the captain of fifty – a group of soldiers – that he is a man of God. He's making a request. “Let fire come down…” This is the key part. He wants the heavens to open up and unleash fire. “…and consume thee and thy fifty.” This means the fire will destroy the soldiers and their entire group. It’s a powerful, dramatic statement of divine judgment. What's the big picture? This verse is one of the most significant in the Bible because it describes a major confrontation between God and evil. The Evil: The "captain of fifty" represents a powerful army of enemies – maybe a nation or a group trying to oppose God’s people. God's Response: God is directly intervening, using fire as his weapon of retribution. It’s important to note: This wasn't just a simple disagreement; it was a direct challenge to the enemy’s power and their attempt to defy God's will. Essentially, this verse paints a picture of divine judgment and the ultimate victory of good over evil. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when it happened)? Explore why this story is significant in biblical history?