1 Kings 17:15
1 Kings 17:15 in Multiple Translations
So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
So she went and did as Elijah said; and she and he and her family had food for a long time.
She went and did as Elijah had told her, and Elijah, the widow, and her household were able to eat for many days.
So she went, and did as Eliiah sayd, and she did eate: so did he and her house for a certaine time.
And she goeth, and doth according to the word of Elijah, and she eateth, she and he, and her household — days;
She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate many days.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day
So the woman did exactly what Elijah told her to do. And she and her son and Elijah had enough food every day,
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 17:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 17:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֵּ֥לֶךְ
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
כִּ/דְבַ֣ר
אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ
וַ/תֹּ֧אכַל
הוא
ו/היא
הִֽיא
וָ/ה֛וּא
וּ/בֵיתָ֖/הּ
יָמִֽים
וַ/תֵּ֥לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
כִּ/דְבַ֣ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Prep | N-ms
אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ
ʼÊlîyâh
H452
Elijah
N-proper
וַ/תֹּ֧אכַל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הוא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
ו/היא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
הִֽיא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וָ/ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
וּ/בֵיתָ֖/הּ
bayith
H1004
place
Conj | N-ms | Suff
יָמִֽים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 17:15
וַ/תֵּ֥לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כִּ/דְבַ֣ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Prep | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ
ʼÊlîyâh
H452
"Elijah"
N-proper
Elijah means my God is Jehovah, referring to the famous prophet who lived during King Ahab's reign. He is also the name of two other Israelites mentioned in the Bible. Elijah is known for his bravery and faith in God.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.26 § Elijah or Eliah = "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God" 1) the great prophet of the reign of Ahab 2) Benjamite son of Jeroham 3) a son of Elam with foreign wife during exile 4) a son of Harim, and priest, with foreign wife during exile
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Elijah, Eliah. See also: 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 19:19; Malachi 3:23.
וַ/תֹּ֧אכַל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
הוא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
ו/היא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הִֽיא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וָ/ה֛וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וּ/בֵיתָ֖/הּ
bayith
H1004
"place"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
יָמִֽים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 17:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 17:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 17:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 17:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 17:15
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
- Sermons on 1 Kings 17:15
Context — The Widow of Zarephath
13“Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son,
14for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’”
15So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household.
16The 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. 17Later, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill, and his sickness grew worse and worse, until no breath remained in him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 11:17 | By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, |
| 2 | Mark 12:43 | Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. |
| 3 | Matthew 15:28 | “O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. |
| 4 | Genesis 6:22 | So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him. |
| 5 | Genesis 22:3 | So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. |
| 6 | Hebrews 11:7–8 | By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 20:20 | Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” |
| 8 | John 11:40 | Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” |
| 9 | Romans 4:19–20 | Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, |
| 10 | Genesis 12:4 | So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. |
1 Kings 17:15 Summary
This verse shows how the widow obeyed Elijah's instructions and made a cake for him first, even when she didn't have much food. Because of her obedience, God provided for her and her household every day, just as He promised in 1 Kings 17:14. This story teaches us that when we trust God and obey His instructions, He will take care of us, as seen in Matthew 6:33. We can apply this principle to our own lives by prioritizing God's work and trusting Him to provide for our needs, just like the widow did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated the widow to obey Elijah's instructions despite her limited resources?
The widow's obedience was motivated by her faith in the God of Israel, as spoken through Elijah, and the promise that her jar of flour and jug of oil would not run dry, as seen in 1 Kings 17:14 and Deuteronomy 8:3.
How did the widow's obedience affect her household?
The widow's obedience resulted in her household being provided for, with food available every day, as stated in 1 Kings 17:15, demonstrating God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him, as seen in Psalm 37:3-4.
What can we learn from the widow's example of faith and obedience?
We can learn that trusting in God's promises and obeying His instructions, even in difficult circumstances, can lead to provision and blessing, as illustrated in Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:22-31.
Is this miracle of provision unique to this story or are there other examples in the Bible?
This miracle is not unique, as seen in the story of the Israelites in the wilderness, where God provided manna and quail, as recorded in Exodus 16:4-36 and Numbers 11:31-32, demonstrating God's consistent care for His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's promises and obey His instructions, even when it seems impossible?
- How can I, like the widow, demonstrate faith and obedience in the face of scarcity or uncertainty?
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of prioritizing God's work, as the widow did by making a cake for Elijah first, in my own life and decisions?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my daily needs, just as He did for the widow and her household, and how can I express gratitude for His provision?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 17:15
And she went, and did according to the saying of Elijah,..... Made a cake for him first, and brought it to him, which showed great faith in the word of the Lord by him: and she, and he, and her
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 17:15
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
She did according to the saying of Elijah; giving glory to the God of Israel, by believing his prophet. Many days, i.e. a long time, even above two years: see . Heb. days, i.e. a full year; as ; namely, before the following event about her son happened, and the rest of the time of the famine after it.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
1 Kings 17:15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat [many] days.Ver. 15. And her house.] Which till now we read not of, more than of a son only. See on 1 Kings 17:12. Many days,] viz., Till the Lord gave rain, and the earth returned to its former fertility. When means may be had and used, miracles are not to be expected.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
(15) The barrel of meal wasted not.—The miracle is doubly remarkable. First, in this instance, as in the similar miracles of Elisha and of our Lord Himself, we see that God’s higher laws of miracle, like the ordinary laws of His providence, admit within their scope the supply of what we should consider as homely and trivial needs—in this respect perhaps contradicting what our expectation would have suggested. Next, that it is a miracle of multiplication, which is virtual creation—not necessarily out of nothing—doing rapidly and directly what, under ordinary laws, has to be done slowly and by indirect process.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 17:15
15. her house] She had enough for all their own needs and something over, which she could give to poorer relations. The whole history of the woman shews that she knew much of the religion of the God of Israel, though we are not told how she had been brought to the knowledge. many days] There is no word for ‘many’ as the italics shew. The Hebrews used ‘days’ for a long time. Thus the same word is rendered in Genesis 40:4 ‘a season;’ in Numbers 9:22 ‘a year,’ i.e. the complete round of days. The margin of A.V. has ‘a full year’ in the present verse.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 17:15
15. She went and did according to the saying of Elijah — “It was one of those sudden recognitions of unknown kindred souls — one of those cross purposes of Providence — which come in with a peculiar
Sermons on 1 Kings 17:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Abraham's Commitment by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible. He describes the intense moment when Abraham is ready to sacrifice his son Isaac as an act o |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 22:11-14 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the testing of Abraham by God. He emphasizes that anyone called, saved, or used by God will also face tests to strengthen their faith and mak |
|
The Burnt Offering by Roy Hession | In this sermon, Roy Hessian discusses the story of Abraham and Isaac, where God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his own son. Hessian emphasizes the importance of |
|
Abraham: Abraham's Supreme Sacrifice by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible. He highlights the moment when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his |
|
Genesis 2:2 by Lawrence Chambers | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of Abraham's servant finding a wife for Isaac. The servant is portrayed as a faithful and obedient servant of God, willingly carrying |
|
Marriage Series #7 - Abraham & Sarah by Don McClure | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22. Abraham obediently follows God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac. He takes Isaac and two |
|
Vision #3 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of having a vision from God and allowing it to become a reality in our lives. He uses the example of Abraham, who saw a vision |