Albert Barnes Commentary James 5:17

"Elijah 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." — James 5:17 (ASV)

Elias. This is the common way of writing the word Elijah in the New Testament (Matthew 11:14; Matthew 16:14; Matthew 17:3, etc.).

Was a man subject to like passions as we are. This does not mean that Elijah was passionate in the sense in which that word is now commonly used—that is, that he was excitable or irritable, or that he was the victim of the same corrupt passions and propensities to which other men are subject. Rather, it means that he was similarly afflicted; he was capable of suffering the same things or being affected in the same manner. In other words, he was a mere man, subject to the same weaknesses and infirmities as other men. See Barnes on Acts 14:15.

The apostle is illustrating the efficacy of prayer. In doing this, he refers to an undoubted case where prayer had such efficacy. However, it might be objected that Elijah was a distinguished prophet, and that it was reasonable to suppose that his prayer would be heard. It might be said that his example could not be cited to prove that the prayers of those who were not favored with such advantages would be heard. Especially, it could not be argued from his case that the prayers of the ignorant, the weak, children, or servants would be answered. To meet this objection, the apostle says that Elijah was a mere man, with the same natural propensities and infirmities as other men. Therefore, his case is one that should encourage all to pray. It was an instance of the efficacy of prayer, and not an illustration of the power of a prophet.

And he prayed earnestly. In Greek, this is "He prayed with prayer"—a Hebraism, meaning that he prayed earnestly. (Compare Luke 22:15.) This manner of speaking is common in Hebrew. (Compare 1 Samuel 26:25; Psalms 118:18; Lamentations 1:2.)

The reference here is undoubtedly to 1 Kings 17:1. In that passage, however, it is not explicitly stated that Elijah prayed. Instead, he said, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these three years, but according to my word. Either James interprets this as a prayer, because it could be accomplished only by prayer, or he states what had been handed down by tradition as the way the miracle was brought about. There can be no reasonable doubt that prayer was employed in this case, for even the miracles of the Savior were accomplished in connection with prayer (John 11:41–42).

That it might not rain. This was not to gratify any private resentment of Elijah’s, but as a punishment on the land for the idolatry that prevailed in the time of Ahab. Famine was one of the principal methods by which God punished his people for their sins.

And it rained not on the earth. This means on the land of Palestine, for the word earth is frequently understood this way in the Bible. (See Barnes on Luke 2:1.)

There is no reason to suppose that the famine extended beyond the country that was subject to Ahab.

By the space. This means for the time. Of three years and six months. See Barnes on Luke 4:25 for an explanation of this duration. (Compare Lightfoot, Horae Hebraicae, on Luke 4:25.)

"Elias" (or, "Elijah"); "he prayed earnestly" (1 Kings 17:1); "earnestly" (or, "in prayer").