Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:1

The Ravens Feed Elijah · 1 Kings 17:1–7
Read 1 Kings 17

Translations

Modern
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”
Traditional
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Literal
And Elijah the Tishbite from the Tishbites of Gilead said to Ahab, “As YHWH, God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be these years dew and rain, except if at my word.”
Latin
Et dixit Elias Thesbites de habitatoribus Galaad ad Achab: Vivit Dominus Deus Israël, in cujus conspectu sto, si erit annis his ros et pluvia, nisi juxta oris mei verba.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

Notes

1 Kings 17:1

  • Elijah was God's prophet to the northern kingdom during the reigns of the third-dynasty kings:

    • Ahab, who ruled from 874 to 853 BC,

    • Ahaziah, who ruled from 853 to 852 BC, and

    • Joram, who ruled from 852 to 841 BC.

  • Elijah showed his dedication to the Lord by declaring that he served the living God of Israel.

  • Elijah stopped the dew and rain to challenge Baal, who supposedly controlled these natural forces. Their absence, until God instructed Elijah to speak, started the contest with Baal that would peak on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18).

1 Kings 17:1–19:21

The prophet Elijah's work was closely tied to his spiritual growth. Elijah challenged Israel's interest in Baal, the Canaanite storm god. During this conflict, Elijah saw God's power and support, unlike Baal's weakness. This was shown in Elijah's contest with Baal's prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1–46). After fleeing from Jezebel, God renewed Elijah's mission at Mount Sinai (1 Kings 19:1–18). Elijah's mission was finished by his successor, Elisha (1 Kings 19:19–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Elijah Jezebel Prophets in 1 Kings Pure Worship

Events

People

Ahab: Wicked king of Israel; husband of Jezebel Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name Tishbe: Hometown of the prophet Elijah

Glossary

Ahab (King) Dew Elijah Famine Jezebel Jordan River Kings, Books of First and Second Ordain, Ordination Remnant Tishbe

Topics

Canaan: Land of Famines In Christian Minister: God's Care of Dew: Absence of Escapes to the Wilderness, where he is Miraculously Fed by Ravens Famine in Canaan Famine: Caused by Want of Seasonable Rain Famine: Instances of, in Scripture in the Reign of Ahab Famine: Sent As a Judgment Gilead: The Prophet Elijah a Native of God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow Grass: Destroyed by Drought Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Elijah: Drought Caused Prayer: Answered: Elijah, Asking for Rain Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Spoke with Authority Prophets: Elijah Prophets: Inspiration of Rain: Withheld for Three Years and Six Months in the Days of Elijah Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation Shield: Made of Gold the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Elijah Widow: The Widow of Zarephath, Who Sustained Elijah During a Famine