Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:16

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

Translations

Modern
The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.
Traditional
And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.
Literal
The jar of the flour was not used up, and the jug of the oil did not run dry, according to the word of YHWH that He spoke by Elijah.
Latin
…hydria farinæ non defecit, et lecythus olei non est imminutus, juxta verbum Domini quod locutus fuerat in manu Eliæ.

Original

Hebrew
English
The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.

Notes

1 Kings 17:15–16

She followed Elijah's instructions, and God rewarded her faith. The daily supply of essentials reminded her of God's faithfulness and goodness (Lamentations 3:22–24; Philippians 4:19).

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

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

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 Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Hospitality to Woman of Zarephath to Elijah Elijah the Tishbite, a Gileadite and Prophet, Called Elias Elijah: Miracles of Increases the Oil of the Widow of Zarephath Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Elijah: Meal and Oil Multiplied Miracles: Catalogue of Increases the Widow's Meal and Oil Oil used for Food Olive Oil Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In