And they leaped upon the altar that was made— Or, leaped up and down at the altar. Margin. The marginal rendering seems by far the best: and the reference appears plainly to be a custom very common among heathen worshippers, of dancing round the altars of the deity whom they worshipped; and this sometimes with a variety of strange gesticulations. The dances of the Salii were of this sort. Houbigant, however, thinks that the word ויפסחו vaipassechu should not be rendered leaped, but walked, signifying that they walked in solemn procession round the altar.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 18:26
1 Kings 18:26
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hearc us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.