Elijah in Zarephath: Provision and Resurrection
1 Kings 17:7-24
1 K.17.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מקץ: PREP
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וייבש: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנחל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- גשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:1 (verbal): Elijah's original pronouncement that there will be 'neither dew nor rain' — sets up the drought that causes the brook Cherith to dry up.
- 1 Kings 18:41-45 (structural): Narrative parallel showing the end of the drought when Elijah prays and rain returns, completing the drought-to-rain trajectory begun at Cherith.
- James 5:17-18 (quotation): New Testament citation of Elijah's prayer and its effect on rain, explicitly linking Elijah's actions to cessation and restoration of rainfall.
- Luke 4:25-26 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the time of Elijah and a severe drought, referencing the prophet's activity during a period of no rain as background for his teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass after some days that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
- And it came to pass after some days that the brook was dried up, for there was no rain in the land.
1 K.17.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 1 Kings 18:1 (verbal): Same prophetic formula — ‘the word of the LORD came to Elijah’ — used repeatedly in Elijah narrative to introduce divine instructions.
- 1 Kings 19:9 (verbal): Another instance in Elijah’s story where the text uses the formula ‘the word of the LORD came to him,’ again introducing direct speech from God to the prophet.
- Jeremiah 1:4 (structural): Classic prophetic call formula in Jeremiah: ‘the word of the LORD came to me, saying…’ — parallel in function and phrasing as the standard introduction of divine revelation.
- Hosea 1:1 (thematic): Begins the book with ‘the word of the LORD that came unto Hosea,’ reflecting the same structural device of introducing prophetic material by attributing it to the word of YHWH.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
- And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
1 K.17.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- צרפתה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לצידון: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg
- וישבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- הנה: PART
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- שם: ADV
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלמנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לכלכלך: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,.,.,.,+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:10-16 (structural): Immediate continuation: Elijah goes to Zarephath, the widow provides for him, and God miraculously sustains them (the jar of meal and cruse of oil are not exhausted).
- 1 Kings 17:1-7 (thematic): Earlier instruction to Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith where God provides for him (fed by ravens)—parallel theme of divine provision for the prophet in remote places.
- Luke 4:25-26 (quotation): Jesus explicitly refers to Elijah being sent to a widow in Zarephath, citing the episode as a scriptural example and alluding to the same event.
- 2 Kings 4:1-7 (thematic): Elisha helps a widow by providing a miraculous, sustaining supply of oil—parallels the motif of a prophet enabling a widow's provision through divine miracle.
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain; this echoes the motif of a prophet restoring a widow's son (cf. Elijah's later raising of the Zarephath widow's son in 1 Kgs 17:17–24).
Alternative generated candidates
- “Arise, go to Zarephath, which is by Sidon, and dwell there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to supply you.”
- Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.
1 K.17.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- צרפתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prop
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- שם: ADV
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלמנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מקששת: VERB,piel,ptcp,3,f,sg
- עצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קחי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכלי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשתה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:9–16 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: God sends Elijah to a widow at Zarephath; Elijah asks her for water and bread, she reports only a handful of flour and oil, and Elijah prophesies the miraculous provision (same scene and dialogue sequence).
- Luke 4:25–26 (allusion): Jesus explicitly cites Elijah’s ministry to the widow of Zarephath as an example—direct allusion to the episode of Elijah going to Zarephath and being received by a widow.
- 2 Kings 4:1–7 (thematic): Elisha’s miracle for a needy widow (oil multiplied to satisfy creditors) echoes the theme of a prophet providing miraculous sustenance for a vulnerable widow in distress.
- Matthew 15:21–28 (cf. Mark 7:24–30) (thematic): A Gentile woman seeks help from Jesus in Gentile territory; like Elijah at Zarephath (a Sidonian/Gentile setting), the story highlights prophetic/Jesus ministry extending mercy to a non‑Israelite woman and the dynamic of a needy woman requesting aid.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he arose and went to Zarephath. He came to the gate of the city, and behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”
- So he rose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the city, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink."
1 K.17.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לקחי: VERB,qal,infc
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- פת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Luke 4:25-26 (allusion): Jesus explicitly alludes to Elijah being sent to the widow at Zarephath — a direct reference to the episode in which the prophet requests food from a poor widow.
- 2 Kings 4:1-7 (thematic): Elisha’s encounter with a destitute widow whose small supply of oil is miraculously multiplied; parallels the motif of a prophet interacting with a needy widow and God providing through the prophet.
- 2 Kings 4:42-44 (thematic): Elisha miraculously multiplies a small amount of food to feed many — echoes the theme of limited provisions made sufficient in the prophetic miracle tradition (cf. Elijah and the widow’s meal).
- 1 Kings 18:3-4 (structural): Obadiah’s hiding and feeding of prophets during the famine provides the wider narrative context of prophets surviving by special provision in a famine, paralleling Elijah’s dependence on unusual hospitality and divine provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- While she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
- As she went to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me, I pray you, a morsel of bread in your hand."
1 K.17.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- אם: CONJ
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מעוג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- כף: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- קמח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומעט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצפחת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והנני: CONJ+PART+PRON,1,sg
- מקששת: VERB,piel,part,0,f,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובאתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ועשיתיהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולבני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ואכלנהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- ומתנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,n,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (structural): Immediate context: the narrative in which Elijah asks the Zarephath widow for food and her limited provisions are miraculously multiplied so she, her son, and Elijah have sustenance.
- Luke 4:25-26 (allusion): Jesus alludes to Elijah’s stay with the widow of Zarephath (Sarepta) as an example, explicitly referencing the same prophet–widow episode and divine provision in a Gentile town.
- 2 Kings 4:1-7 (thematic): Elisha multiplies a widow’s small supply of oil to pay her debts and sustain her household—echoing the motif of miraculous provision for a widow with scant resources.
- 2 Kings 4:18-37 (thematic): Elisha raises the Shunammite woman’s son—paralleling the subsequent episode in 1 Kings where Elijah revives the Zarephath widow’s son; both narratives link prophetic power, widows, and life/restoration.
- Matthew 14:13-21 (thematic): Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 (and similarly in 15:32-39) echoes the theme of miraculous multiplication of limited food to feed many, resonating with Elijah’s provision from a little flour and oil.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Now I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and prepare it for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
- And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have not a cake, but a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a cruse; and behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."
1 K.17.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- באי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,m,pl
- עשי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- כדברך: PREP+NOUN+PRON,2,m,sg
- אך: PART
- עשי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- משם: PREP
- עגה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קטנה: ADJ,f,sg
- בראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והוצאת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולבנך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prsfx:2ms
- תעשי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- באחרנה: PREP+ADV,ord,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: Elijah's instruction to the Zarephath widow to make him a little cake first and her subsequent obedience and miraculous provision (the jar of meal and cruse of oil do not run out).
- Luke 4:25-26 (quotation): Jesus in his Nazareth sermon cites the Elijah–Zarephath episode—Elijah was sent to a widow at Zarephath—explicitly alluding to the same story and its theological point about prophetic mission and mercy.
- 2 Kings 4:1-7 (thematic): Elisha multiplies oil for a poor widow at the prophet's instruction; parallels the motif of a prophet-directed, miraculous provision for a widow in crisis.
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain; thematically parallels Elijah's later raising of the Zarephath widow's son (1 Kgs 17:17–24), showing prophetic/Messianic power to restore life to a widow.},{
Alternative generated candidates
- Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go, do as you have said. But make me first a small cake from it and bring it to me; and afterward make for yourself and for your son.
- Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake from it and bring it to me; and afterward make for yourself and your son."
1 K.17.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כד: CONJ
- הקמח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- תכלה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וצפחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השמן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחסר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תת: VERB,qal,inf
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1Kgs.17.16 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment: the jar of meal and cruse of oil indeed did not fail, showing the realized promise of 17:14.
- Luke 4:25-26 (allusion): Jesus explicitly cites Elijah’s ministry to the widow of Zarephath (Zidonian widow), alluding to this episode and its theme of God’s provision to the marginalized.
- 2Kgs.4:1-7 (thematic): Elisha multiplies a widow’s oil so many jars are filled and do not run out—closely parallel motif of miraculous, sustaining provision of oil for a needy widow.
- Matt.6:31-33 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching on not being anxious and God’s provision (seek first the kingdom and your needs will be provided) echoes the theological theme of God sustaining the needy.
Alternative generated candidates
- For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not fail until the day the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’ ”
- For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: The jar of flour shall not be exhausted, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day the LORD gives rain on the earth.
1 K.17.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותעשה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- וביתה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cstr+PRSFX,3,f,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:14 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel — Elijah's promise that the jar of flour and jug of oil 'shall not be spent' and the subsequent fulfillment in the widow's household (causal/fulfillment relation).
- Luke 4:25-26 (allusion): Jesus explicitly cites Elijah's stay with the widow of Zarephath as an example of God's care extending to a Gentile woman, directly invoking this episode and its outcome.
- 2 Kings 4:42-44 (thematic): Elisha's multiplication of bread for a household and beyond parallels the theme of divine provision that sustains people 'for many days.'
- Matthew 15:32-39 (thematic): Jesus' feeding of the multitudes (and Mark 8:1-9) echoes the motif of miraculous, sufficient provision of food by God's envoy, similar to the sustained supply in the widow's house.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she went and did according to the word of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate for many days.
- And she went and did according to the word of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate many days.
1 K.17.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כד: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- הקמח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- כלתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- וצפחת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השמן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- חסר: ADJ,m,sg
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:14 (quotation): Elijah's prophecy to the widow that her jar of flour and jug of oil would not fail — the statement that 1 Kgs 17:16 fulfills.
- 2 Kings 4:2-7 (verbal): Elisha instructs a widow to pour her small jar of oil into many vessels until it no longer flows — a near-verbal parallel of unending oil as miraculous provision.
- 2 Kings 4:42-44 (thematic): Elisha miraculously feeds many with a small quantity of food and has leftovers, echoing the theme of divine, multiplying provision.
- John 6:11-13 (thematic): Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish and the baskets are filled afterward — New Testament parallel of miraculous, sustaining provision for the needy.
- Philippians 4:19 (thematic): Paul's assurance that 'God will supply every need' echoes the theological theme that God provides sustenance in accordance with his word.
Alternative generated candidates
- The jar of flour was not spent, and the jug of oil did not fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
- The jar of flour was not exhausted, and the cruse of oil did not fail, according to the word of the LORD which he spoke by Elijah.
1 K.17.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחר: PREP
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בעלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- חליו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- נותרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- נשמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kgs 4:18-37 (structural): Elisha raises the Shunammite woman's son — closely parallel narrative and miracle pattern (prophet stays with a woman, child dies, prophet stretches himself on the child and restores life).
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain; shares the motif of a prophetic/healing figure restoring life to a widow's only son and provoking public amazement and praise of God.
- Luke 8:49-56 (thematic): Jesus restores life to Jairus' daughter (takes her by the hand, speaks life) — another Synoptic parallel of a miracle-worker bringing a child back from death through a personal word/gesture.
- John 11:1-44 (thematic): The raising of Lazarus: a prominent Johannine example of a life-restoring miracle where the agent calls the dead to life, highlighting themes of death, faith, and divine power over death.
- Acts 20:7-12 (thematic): Paul revives Eutychus after he falls from a window and is presumed dead; the apostolic miracle echoes earlier prophets/apostles restoring a young person to life within the Christian tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass after these things that the son of the mistress of the house became sick; and his sickness was severe, so that there was no breath left in him.
- And it happened after these things that the woman's son became sick; and his sickness was very severe, so that there was no breath left in him.
1 K.17.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- באת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- להזכיר: VERB,hif,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עוני: NOUN,m,sg,cs+1s
- ולהמית: CONJ+VERB,hif,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 17:21-22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation — Elijah prays and revives the widow’s son; direct resolution of the widow’s fear that the prophet had come to kill her child.
- 2 Kgs 4:18-37 (thematic): Elisha raises the Shunammite woman’s son; a prophet restores life to a widow’s child, closely paralleling motif and social setting.
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain; another instance of a holy man confronting communal grief and reversing death for a widow.
- Luke 8:49-56 (thematic): Jesus restores life to Jairus’s daughter amid public mourning; parallels include prophetic/charismatic intervention and the reversal of presumed death.
- John 11:1-44 (thematic): Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead — thematically related in showing a God‑appointed agent overturning death and addressing doubt, grief, and accusations surrounding death.
Alternative generated candidates
- She said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to put my son to death.”
- Then she said to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause my son to die."
1 K.17.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- תני: VERB,qal,imperative,2,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בנך: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+poss,2,m,sg
- ויקחהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מחיקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויעלהו: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg+3,m
- אל: NEG
- העליה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- וישכבהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- מטתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kgs.4:32-35 (verbal): Elisha’s raising of the Shunammite’s son closely parallels Elijah’s actions: entering the upper room, laying the child on his own bed, stretching himself on the child and calling the LORD to restore life (close verbal and procedural echo).
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow’s only son at Nain — a theological and social parallel (compassion for a grieving widow and public restoration of life) to Elijah’s miracle for the widow of Zarephath.
- Mark 5:35-43 (thematic): Jesus’ raising of Jairus’ daughter (and the synoptic parallels) shares the basic motif: a proclaimed death, entry into the room, authoritative word or action to restore life, and the return of the child to the family.
- John 11:38-44 (structural): The raising of Lazarus mirrors structural elements: a private scene, a command that reverses death, and a public demonstration of God’s power (including unbinding the restored person), echoing the reversal accomplished by Elijah.
- Acts 9:36-41 (thematic): Peter’s raising of Tabitha/Dorcas in Joppa parallels the theme of apostolic/prophetic life-restoration for a member of the community, including prayer, gathering of believers, and the restored person being presented alive to others.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to her, “Give me your son.” He took him from her bosom and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed.
- And he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her arms, and brought him up to the upper chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed.
1 K.17.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הגם: CONJ
- על: PREP
- האלמנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מתגורר: VERB,hitpael,part,1,m,sg
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- הרעות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- להמית: VERB,hiphil,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 4:18-37 (thematic): Elisha revives the Shunammite's son—closely parallels Elijah's raising of the widow's son (both prophets intercede and restore life; similar actions and dialogue).
- Luke 7:11-17 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain—same motif of compassion for a bereaved widow and restoration of her only son, highlighting prophetic power and God's care for widows.
- John 11:1-44 (thematic): Jesus raises Lazarus—another major resurrection narrative where a holy man appeals to God and reverses death, underscoring the theme of life restored through divine action.
- Acts 20:9-12 (structural): Paul (or God through Paul) raises Eutychus—an early Christian parallel showing continuation of life‑restoring miracles by God's servants in the community.
- Exodus 22:22-24 (allusion): The law warns not to wrong widows and orphans and promises God will hear and punish their cry—frames the ethical/theological backdrop to Elijah's fear about harm befalling the widow's son and God's justice toward vulnerable persons.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he cried to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have you also brought calamity upon the widow with whom I dwell, by killing her son?”
- Then he cried to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, have you also brought calamity on this widow with whom I sojourn, by causing her son to die?"
1 K.17.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתמדד: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הילד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- תשב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הילד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- על: PREP
- קרבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kgs.4:32-35 (verbal): Elisha stretches himself on the dead boy, prays/calls to the LORD, and the child's life returns — closely parallels Elijah's threefold laying on and plea for the child's soul to return.
- John 11:43-44 (verbal): Jesus calls Lazarus aloud, 'Lazarus, come out,' and the dead man is restored to life — a direct verbal miracle of summoning life back into a corpse, echoing Elijah's petition for the child's soul to return.
- Mark 5:41-42 (thematic): Jesus says 'Talitha koum' ('Little girl, get up') and restores a dead girl to life — thematically parallel as a prophetic/Jesus act of commanding life to return to the dead.
- Luke 7:14-15 (thematic): Jesus orders the young man of Nain to 'Arise,' and the dead sits up; like Elijah, the miracle reverses death and elicits fear and praise of God among witnesses.
- Acts 9:40-41 (verbal): Peter prays and says 'Tabitha, arise,' after which she is raised — parallels the apostolic continuation of prophetic raising miracles where prayer/command brings life back.
Alternative generated candidates
- He stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let the life of this child come into him again.”
- He stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life return to him."
1 K.17.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותשב: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הילד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- קרבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 17:21 (structural): Immediate context: Elijah stretches himself on the child and prays/pleads before the LORD hears and the child revives (direct sequence leading into v.22).
- 2 Kings 4:34-35 (verbal): Elisha lays himself on the dead child, prays to the LORD, and the child revives — a closely parallel miracle tradition and similar physical actions and words.
- Luke 7:11-15 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain and returns him to his mother; parallels include compassion for a widow, a public resurrection, and the crowd's reaction glorifying God.
- Mark 5:41-42 (verbal): Jesus' spoken command to the dead girl ('Talitha koum') and her immediate revival echoes the motif of a verbal divine/prophetic command bringing life.
- John 11:43-44 (thematic): Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb and restores life, paralleling the theme of divine/prophetic power over death and the raising of the dead to life.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.
- And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; and the life of the child returned to him, and he revived.
1 K.17.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הילד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירדהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- העליה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הביתה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתנהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj3ms
- לאמו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,3,m
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- בנך: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+poss,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 4:34-35 (verbal): Elisha revives the Shunammite’s son and returns him to his mother — a closely parallel resurrection narrative with similar actions and outcome.
- Luke 7:14-15 (thematic): Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain; like Elijah, a prophet restores life to a deceased child and presents him to his mother.
- Mark 5:41-42 (verbal): Jesus takes the girl’s hand and commands her to arise; parallels the direct, spoken act by a holy man that restores life to a child.
- Acts 20:9-10 (verbal): Paul revives Eutychus, bends over and raises him, saying not to be alarmed because his life is in him — similar wording and the act of presenting the restored person alive.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother. Elijah said, “See, your son lives.”
- Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, "See, your son lives."
1 K.17.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עתה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בפיך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kgs.5:15 (verbal): Naaman's confession uses the same formula 'now I know' to acknowledge both God's reality and the truth of a prophet's word after a miraculous healing.
- Luke 7:16 (thematic): After Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain the crowd recognizes a prophet and God's visitation—parallel motif of a resurrection miracle provoking public recognition of a man of God.
- 1 Kgs.18:39 (thematic): Following Elijah's miraculous vindication on Carmel the people publicly acknowledge Yahweh—similar outcome: a prophetic act leads to confession of God's authority and the prophet's legitimacy.
- 1 Sam.3:19-21 (verbal): Samuel's established prophetic role is described by the claim that 'the LORD was with him' and 'none of his words fell to the ground,' echoing 1 Kings 17:24's affirmation that the prophet's words are true.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”
- Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."
After a while the brook dried up, for there was no rain in the land. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, there was a widow gathering sticks. He called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”
As she went to fetch it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
She answered, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no cake; only a handful of meal is in a jar, and a little oil in a cruse. Now I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said, but first make me a small cake from it and bring it to me; and afterward make something for yourself and for your son.”
For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘The jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”
She went and did according to the word of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate many days.
The jar of meal was not spent, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he had spoken by Elijah.
After these things the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill; and his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.
She said to Elijah, “What have you to do with me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son.”
Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” He took him from her bosom and carried him up to the upper room where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed.
Then he cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have you also brought calamity upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again.”
The LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the child's life returned to him, and he lived.
Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and delivered him to his mother. Elijah said, “See, your son lives.”
The woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”