Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:21

Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son · 1 Kings 17:17–24
Read 1 Kings 17

Translations

Modern
Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!”
Traditional
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.
Literal
And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and he cried out to YHWH and said, “O YHWH my God, let come back, please, the soul of this child into his midst.”
Latin
Et expandit se, atque mensus est super puerum tribus vicibus, et clamavit ad Dominum, et ait: Domine Deus meus, revertatur, obsecro, anima pueri hujus in viscera ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!”

Notes

1 Kings 17:21

We do not know what life-giving power Elijah intended to show by touching the dead boy, but he clearly trusted in the Lord. Elisha later did a similar ritual when the Lord brought back to life the dead son of the woman from Shunem (2 Kings 4:32–37).

1 Kings 17:17–24

This story starts with the woman's doubts about Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–18) and ends with her recognizing the power of God's word through Elijah (1 Kings 17:24). Interestingly, this non-Israelite widow acknowledged God's miraculous power, while God's own people, Israel, had forgotten his mighty acts.

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).

Events

Glossary

Elijah Famine Kings, Books of First and Second Ordain, Ordination Resurrection Upper Room

Topics

Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Elijah Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents: Raised from the Dead by Elijah Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Elijah: Miracles of Raises the Son of the Woman of Zarephath from the Dead Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Intercession: Answered of Elijah, for Raising the Son of the Hospitable Widow from the Dead Miracles: Catalogue of Raises the Widow's Son Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In