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, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. (1 Kings 18:26)
How could there be? Baal was nothing but a product of man’s imagination, and he could not answer prayer.
They leaped.
The meaning is, they “leaped up and down,” as in the margin. This was a wild ritual dance, in which they worked themselves up into a state of frenzy. Such exhibitions are said at times to have been accompanied by manifestations of demoniacal power, and undoubtedly it was hoped that by such means fire might be secured. But the Lord intervened. Satan and his angels were held in leash, and no fire appeared.