1 Kings Chapter 17 · Verse 4
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֖ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מֵֽהַנַּ֣חַל
of the brook
H5158
מֵֽהַנַּ֣חַל
of the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
2 of 8
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
תִּשְׁתֶּ֑ה
And it shall be that thou shalt drink
H8354
תִּשְׁתֶּ֑ה
And it shall be that thou shalt drink
Strong's:
H8354
Word #:
3 of 8
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Kings 17:9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.Psalms 147:9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.Job 38:41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
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 it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
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.