Luke 4:25
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
Original Language Analysis
ἐπὶ
of
G1909
ἐπὶ
of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
1 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
λέγω
I tell
G3004
λέγω
I tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 33
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πολλαὶ
many
G4183
πολλαὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
6 of 33
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
χῆραι
widows
G5503
χῆραι
widows
Strong's:
G5503
Word #:
7 of 33
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
11 of 33
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
15 of 33
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸς
the heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸς
the heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
19 of 33
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐπὶ
of
G1909
ἐπὶ
of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
20 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
26 of 33
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐγένετο
was
G1096
ἐγένετο
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
27 of 33
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
μέγας
great
G3173
μέγας
great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
29 of 33
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἐπὶ
of
G1909
ἐπὶ
of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
30 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
James 5:17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.1 Kings 17:1And 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.Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.Matthew 20:15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?Luke 10:21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Historical Context
Elijah ministered during Israel's darkest apostasy under King Ahab (874-853 BC), who married the Phoenician princess Jezebel and institutionalized Baal worship. The drought was God's judgment demonstrating YHWH's sovereignty over weather (which Baal supposedly controlled). First Kings 17:1 records Elijah's pronouncement; 1 Kings 18:1 indicates the drought lasted into the third year. Jesus' "three years and six months" may round the duration or reflect Jewish traditional interpretation. The scandal is that God bypassed suffering Israelite widows to sustain a Gentile widow in Zarephath (Sidon)—Jezebel's homeland, no less!
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's choice to bless a Gentile widow while Israelite widows suffered reveal about divine sovereignty and grace?
- How does this example challenge assumptions about deserving God's blessings based on ethnicity or religious heritage?
- Why would Jesus' citation of this example enrage His Nazareth audience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months. Jesus uses the prophetic formula ep' alētheias legō hymin (ἐπ' ἀληθείας λέγω ὑμῖν, in truth I tell you) to introduce a confrontational historical example. He references the drought during Elijah's ministry (1 Kings 17-18), when God sovereignly chose to send the prophet to a Gentile widow rather than to Israelite widows.
The phrase "heaven was shut up" translates ekleisthē ho ouranos (ἐκλείσθη ὁ οὐρανός), emphasizing divine judgment—God closed heaven, withholding rain as covenantal curse for Israel's apostasy under Ahab and Jezebel. The drought lasted eniautous treis kai mēnas hex (ἐνιαυτοὺς τρεῖς καὶ μῆνας ἕξ, three years and six months), matching James 5:17. God's sovereignty in choosing whom to bless becomes the central issue.