He put the wood in order is an idiomatic English translation of a Hebrew verb meaning “arrange,” followed by the noun for “wood.” Several modern versions supply the implied information that the wood was arranged “on the altar” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version).

For bull see the comments at verse 23.

In the Hebrew text verse 34 begins with the words And he said, and this is the reason that many translations also begin verse 34 at this same point in the text (for example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

As noted in 1 Kgs 17.12 regarding the Hebrew noun rendered jars, the exact size is not known. Most likely these were jars that held only a few gallons of water.

For burnt offering, see 1 Kgs 3.4.

The Hebrew text leaves it implied that water was poured on the offering and on the wood the first time. The Septuagint, however, has the words “And they did so” after Elijah first commanded it, and this is followed by New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet. Even if translators follow the Masoretic Text, they may wish to add “They did so” for reasons of translation as Good News Translation has done at the end of this verse. Another way of doing this is to begin a new sentence with the words “After they did this…” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .