1 Kings Chapter 17 · Verse 6
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֶ֥חֶם
and bread
H3899
וְלֶ֥חֶם
and bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
4 of 12
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וּבָשָׂ֖ר
and flesh
H1320
וּבָשָׂ֖ר
and flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
5 of 12
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְלֶ֥חֶם
and bread
H3899
וְלֶ֥חֶם
and bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
7 of 12
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וּבָשָׂ֖ר
and flesh
H1320
וּבָשָׂ֖ר
and flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
8 of 12
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Isaiah 33:16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.Psalms 37:19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.Jeremiah 37:21Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.Matthew 19:26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.Luke 22:35And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:Psalms 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.Numbers 11:23And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.Judges 14:14And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the drought, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.