Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Yet I have kept for myself seven thousand people in Israel—all those whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him.
God is telling Elijah that even when it seems like everyone has turned away from Him, there are still thousands of faithful people who have remained true.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes after Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and his subsequent flight from Queen Jezebel's threats. Elijah felt completely alone and discouraged, thinking he was the only person left who still worshiped the true God. Baal was a Canaanite fertility god that many Israelites had begun worshiping, and kissing was a common form of reverence shown to idols in ancient times.
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