Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel,.... From perishing by the sword of either of them:all the knees which have not bowed to Baal; that is, had not worshipped him, which was signified by this gesture:and every mouth which hath not kissed him; either the image of Baal itself, or the hand, in reverence of him; which rites, one or other, or both, were used by his worshippers; See Gill on "Ho 13:2".
This either refers, as some think, to the present time, and so is an answer to Elijah, who thought he was the only worshipper left with which seems to agree Ro 11:2, or to the times to come, when destruction should be made by the above persons, and when God would have some faithful worshippers, and would take care of them; so some render the words, "I will reserve", &c.
ytravhw "reservabo vel servabo", Vatablus; so V. L.