1 Kings 18:28

“And they cried aloud, etc.] Trying to make him hear, if possible: and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them; so the priests of Heathen deities used to slash themselves on their shoulders, arms, and thighs, in their devotions to them, as many writers observe f396, fancying their gods were delighted with human blood; particularly the priests of Bellona f397, and the worshippers of the Syrian goddess f398, and of the Egyptian Isis f399.”

“Elijah’s scorn roused the Baal-priests to greater exertions. At length, when the frenzy had reached its height, knives were drawn, and the blood spirted forth from hundreds of self-inflicted wounds, while an ecstasy of enthusiasm seized many, and they poured forth incoherent phrases, or perhaps an unintelligible jargon, which was believed to come from divine inspiration, and constituted one of their modes of prophecy. The practice of inflicting gashes on their limbs, in their religious exercises, was common among the Carians, the Syrians, and the Phrygians. We may regard it as a modification of the idea of human sacrifice. The gods were supposed to be pleased with the shedding of human…”

“Cut themselves - Mingling their own blood with their sacrifices; as knowing by experience, that nothing was more acceptable to their Baal (who was indeed the devil) than human blood; and hoping thereby to move their god to help them. And this indeed was the practice of divers Heathens in the worship of their false gods. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:29”

“18:28-29 shouted . . . cut themselves . . . raved: The prophets of Baal demonstrated ecstatic behavior common in ancient pagan religions, but their efforts produced no response. Of course, there is only one true God (Deut 4:35; 6:4; Isa 44:8); all other hopes are doomed to failure (Isa 45:22).”

“cut themselves: Lev 19:28; Deu 14:1; Mic 6:7; Mar 5:5, Mar 9:22 the blood gushed out upon them: Heb. they poured out blood upon them 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:29”