Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:12

The Widow of Zarephath · 1 Kings 17:8–16
Read 1 Kings 17

Translations

Modern
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”
Traditional
And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
Literal
And she said, “As YHWH your God lives, there is unto me no bread, but only the fullness of a palm of flour in the jar, and a little oil in the jug. And behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
Latin
Quæ respondit: Vivit Dominus Deus tuus, quia non habeo panem, nisi quantum pugillus capere potest farinæ in hydria, et paululum olei in lecytho: en colligo duo ligna ut ingrediar et faciam illum mihi et filio meo, ut comedamus, et moriamur.

Original

Hebrew
English
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”

Notes

1 Kings 17:12

As surely as the LORD your God lives: This wording shows Elijah’s promise and statement to Ahab (1 Kings 17:1). The non-Jewish woman’s promise does not mean the Lord is her god, but it assures Elijah she is telling the truth.

1 Kings 17:9–16

Elijah’s faith faced another test. At Kerith Brook, God directly provided for him. When those supplies stopped, Elijah had to rely on a foreign woman's reaction to a divine test. The story has four parts:

  1. The setting (1 Kings 17:8–10a).

  2. Elijah’s test for the widow (1 Kings 17:10b–14).

  3. The woman’s obedience (1 Kings 17:15).

  4. God’s reward (1 Kings 17:15–16).

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

Events

Glossary

Bread Cruse Elijah Famine Kings, Books of First and Second Oil Ordain, Ordination Resurrection

Topics

Barrel: An Earthen Jar Blessing: Temporal, from God: To the Widow of Zerephath Bread: How Prepared: Cakes Bread: Meal Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Hospitality to Woman of Zarephath to Elijah Elijah the Tishbite, a Gileadite and Prophet, Called Elias Frugality: General Scriptures Concerning Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Miracles: Catalogue of Increases the Widow's Meal and Oil Oil used for Food Oil: Kept in Cruises Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation Self-Denial: The Widow of Zarephath, in Sharing with Elijah the Last of Her Sustenance Self-Denial: Widow of Zarephath The Poor: Widow of Zarephath Widows: Great Liberality In Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In