James 5:17

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.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we. It cannot be said that he was so raised above us as to afford no example to common mortals.

Prayed earnestly - literally, prayed with prayer: Hebraisms for intensely (cf. ). Alford is wrong in saying Elias' prayer that it might not rain 'is not even hinted at in the Old Testament.' In it is plainly implied, "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." His prophecy of the fact was according to a divine intimation given to him in answer to prayer. In jealousy for God's honour (), being of one mind with God in abhorrence of apostasy, he prayed that the national idolatry should be punished with a national judgment, drought, if haply it might bring them to repent: on Israel's profession of repentance he prayed for the removal of it, as is implied in : cf. .

Three years ... - Compare , "the third year;" namely, from Elijah's going to Zarephath (): the prophecy () was probably about five or six months previously.