Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:18

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

Translations

Modern
“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”
Traditional
And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
Literal
And she said to Elijah, “What to me and to you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring to remembrance my sin and to kill my son?”
Latin
Dixit ergo ad Eliam: Quid mihi et tibi, vir Dei? ingressus es ad me, ut rememorarentur iniquitates meæ, et interficeres filium meum?

Original

Hebrew
English
“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”

Notes

1 Kings 17:18

my iniquity: The widow believed the common idea that suffering or disaster always comes from a person’s own sins. But the Bible shows this is not always true (see Job 4:7; Luke 13:1–4; John 9:1–3).

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

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

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

Topics

Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents: Raised from the Dead by Elijah Compassion and Sympathy: Elijah Conviction: Widow of Zarephath, when Her Son Died Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Drought: General Scriptures Concerning 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 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