James 5:17
What does James 5:17 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:17 means
Elijah, though a prophet, was “a man of like passions with us”—fully human, prone to the same weaknesses. Yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not for “three years and six months.” James’s point is not to make Elijah superhuman, but to show that God answers fervent, faith-filled prayer from ordinary people. The time span underscores the magnitude of the answer. Elijah’s story assures believers that prayer can shape history when aligned with God’s purposes. The emphasis on his humanity removes excuses: effective prayer is not reserved for the elite but is accessible to those who seek God with wholehearted dependence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Elias 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Elijah was a man of flesh and blood as we are, and he made a strong prayer that there might be no rain; and there was no rain on the earth for three years and six months.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Elijah was a man like affected as we, and with prayer he did pray--not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land three years and six months;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth. And it rained not for three years and six months.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Elias was a man of like passions to us, and he prayed with prayer that it should not rain; and it did not rain upon the earth three years and six months;
Context
This verse provides an example to support the claim that a righteous person’s prayer is effective (v. 16). By stressing Elijah’s ordinary humanity, James invites every believer into the same pathway of earnest prayer. Verse 18 will complete the example with the restoration of rain and fruitfulness, reinforcing that prayer can both restrain and release, according to God’s will. The Elijah illustration grounds the promises of verses 14–16 in biblical narrative.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 11:6
These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.
- Acts 10:26
But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
- Acts 14:15
and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
- 1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
- Romans 11:2
God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel:
- Luke 4:25
But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
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