• James 5:17
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 17 Ἠλείας Elijah ἄνθρωπος man ἦν was ὁμοιοπαθὴς of like passions ἡμῖν, to us, καὶ and προσευχῇ to prayer προσηύξατο he prayed τοῦ of the μὴ not βρέξαι, to moisten, καὶ and οὐκ not ἔβρεξεν it moistened ἐπὶ upon τῆς the γῆς earth ἐνιαυτοὺς years τρεῖς three καὶ and μῆνας months ἕξ· six;

  • James 5:17
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 17 Elijah was a man affected like us; And he earnestly prayed that there might be no moisture, And there was no moisture on the land for three years and six months,—

  • James 5:17
    King James Version

    • 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.

  • James Study Notes—Chapter 5
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 5:17

      Elijah: James’ Jewish readers especially held Elijah in high regard. They knew that he was a great prophet and a bold, righteous man of prayer. (1Ki 17:20-22; 18:24, 36, 37) They also knew that his name was even applied to the forerunner of the Messiah. (Mal 4:5; Mt 11:13, 14) Though people thought of Elijah as such an outstanding man, he was not without weakness or frailty, as James goes on to show.

      a man with feelings like ours: The Greek word here rendered “with feelings like” is defined as “experiencing similarity in feelings or circumstances.” It is translated “having the same infirmities as” at Ac 14:15. Faithful Elijah once felt so dispirited that he said he was no better than his forefathers, who were mere dust and bones in the grave, unable to do anything for anyone. He poured out those intense feelings to God, even asking to die. He later revealed that he thought that his work had been in vain and that he felt alone and frightened. (1Ki 19:1-4, 9, 10) James clearly does not portray Elijah as superhuman or unique. Rather, in saying “with feelings like ours,” James acknowledges that much the same could be said about any ordinary human servant of Jehovah, including himself and his readers. (Ro 3:23; 5:12; Jas 5:10-13) Yet, Elijah’s heartfelt prayers led to extraordinary results.

      he prayed earnestly: Under inspiration, James mentions a detail not found in the Hebrew Scriptures account about Elijah​—that the prophet prayed for it “not to rain” and that Jehovah brought the drought in response to that prayer. (1Ki 17:1) The Greek expression rendered “prayed earnestly” literally reads, “prayed with prayer.” That wording reflects a Hebrew way of expressing intensity. In the next verse, James reveals that Elijah “prayed again,” this time for the drought to end. (Jas 5:18) The account in the Hebrew Scriptures does not explicitly mention this prayer either, but it does describe Elijah’s posture on Mount Carmel​—he bowed low to the earth, a position often associated with prayer. This posture also suggests great humility and intensity of feelings.​—1Ki 18:42, 43; compare Ge 24:26; Mt 26:39.

      for three years and six months: See study note on Lu 4:25.