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Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/17-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/11_1Ki_17_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 17:12 - The Widow of Zarephath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But she replied, As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/17-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/17-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/17-11.htm" title="1 Kings 17:11">◄</a> 1 Kings 17:12 <a href="/1_kings/17-13.htm" title="1 Kings 17:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_kings/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_kings/17.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220As surely as the LORD your God lives,&#8221 she replied, &#8220I don&#8217t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_kings/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” <a href="/esv/1_kings/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/bsb/1_kings/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/kjv/1_kings/17.htm">King James Bible</a> And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/17.htm">New King James Version</a> So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no food, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks so that I may go in and prepare it for me and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/nasb/1_kings/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> But she said, &#8220As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/lsb/1_kings/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But she said, “As Yahweh your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/amp/1_kings/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar. See, I am gathering a few sticks so that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it [as our last meal] and die.” <a href="/csb/1_kings/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.” <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But she said, &#8220As the LORD your God lives, I don&#8217t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_kings/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And she said, As Jehovah thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/cev/1_kings/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The widow answered, "In the name of the living LORD your God, I swear that I don't have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour and a little olive oil. I'm on my way home now with these few sticks to cook what I have for my son and me. After that, we will starve to death." <a href="/erv/1_kings/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> She said, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD your God lives, I didn't bake any bread. I have one handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I'm gathering wood. I'm going to prepare something for myself and my son so that we can eat it and then die." <a href="/gnt/1_kings/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> She answered, "By the living LORD your God I swear that I don't have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour in a bowl and a bit of olive oil in a jar. I came here to gather some firewood to take back home and prepare what little I have for my son and me. That will be our last meal, and then we will starve to death." <a href="/isv/1_kings/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> "As the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have so much as a muffin, just a handful of flour in a bowl and some oil left in a bottle. Now I'm going to find some sticks so I can cook a last meal for my son and for me. Then we're going to eat it and die." <a href="/msb/1_kings/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But she replied, ?As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread?only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.? <a href="/net/1_kings/17.htm">NET Bible</a> She said, "As certainly as the LORD your God lives, I have no food, except for a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. Right now I am gathering a couple of sticks for a fire. Then I'm going home to make one final meal for my son and myself. After we have eaten that, we will die of starvation." <a href="/nheb/1_kings/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> She said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have anything baked, except a handful of flour in a jar, and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." <a href="/wbt/1_kings/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/web/1_kings/17.htm">World English Bible</a> She said, “As Yahweh your God lives, I don’t have anything baked, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jar. Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And she says, “Your God YHWH lives, I do not have a cake, but the fullness of the hand of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a dish; and behold, I am gathering two sticks, and have gone in and prepared it for myself, and for my son, and we have eaten it—and died.” <a href="/ylt/1_kings/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And she saith, 'Jehovah thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but the fulness of the hand of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a dish; and lo, I am gathering two sticks, and have gone in and prepared it for myself, and for my son, and we have eaten it -- and died.' <a href="/slt/1_kings/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And she will say, Jehovah thy God lives, if there is to me a cake, but a handful of flour in a bucket, and a little oil in a cruse: and behold me gathering two woods, and I went to do it for me and for my son, and we shall eat and die.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And she responded: “As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, except a handful of flour in a jar, and a little oil in a bottle. See, I am collecting a couple of sticks, so that I may go in and make it for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” <a href="/nabre/1_kings/17.htm">New American Bible</a> She said, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And she said, As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing but a handful of flour in a pot and a little oil in a cruse; and, behold, I am gathering a few sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it and die. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And she said: “Living is LORD JEHOVAH your God, I have nothing except a handful of flour in a jug and a little oil in a horn, and behold, I am gathering two sticks that I will go and I will make for me and for my son, and we will eat and we will die!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And she said: 'As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, only a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the cruse; and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.' <a href="/sep/1_kings/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the woman said, As the Lord thy God lives, I have not a cake, but only a handful of meal in the pitcher, and a little oil in a cruse, and, behold, I am going to gather two sticks, and I shall go in and dress it for myself and my children, and we shall eat it and die. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/17-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=6772" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/17.htm">The Widow of Zarephath</a> …11And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” 12<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But she replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">“As surely as the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay- (N-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">lives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yeš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">have</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4580.htm" title="4580: mā·‘ō·wḡ (N-ms) -- A cake. From uwg; a cake of bread.">bread—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">only</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/4393.htm" title="4393: mə·lō (N-msc) -- Fullness, that which fills. Rarely mlowf; or mlow,; from male'; fulness.">a handful</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: ḵap̄- (N-fsc) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7058.htm" title="7058: qe·maḥ (N-ms) -- Flour, meal. From an unused root probably meaning to grind; flour.">of flour</a> <a href="/hebrew/3537.htm" title="3537: bak·kaḏ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A jar. From an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes.">in a jar</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: ū·mə·‘aṭ- (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">and a little</a> <a href="/hebrew/8081.htm" title="8081: še·men (N-ms) -- Fat, oil. From shaman; grease, especially liquid; figuratively, richness.">oil</a> <a href="/hebrew/6835.htm" title="6835: baṣ·ṣap·pā·ḥaṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A jar, jug. From an unused root meaning to expand; a saucer.">in a jug.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: wə·hin·nî (Conj-w:: Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7197.htm" title="7197: mə·qō·še·šeṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- To forage for, straw, stubble, wood, to assemble.">I am gathering</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·na·yim (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">a couple of</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘ê·ṣîm (N-mp) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">sticks</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">to take home</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wa·‘ă·śî·ṯî·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and prepare a meal</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">for myself</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: wə·liḇ·nî (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and my son,</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wa·’ă·ḵal·nu·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp:: 3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">so that we may eat it</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: wā·mā·ṯə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and die.”</a> 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,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25-26</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a> Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. <a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17-18</a> Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops. <a href="/mark/12-41.htm">Mark 12:41-44</a> As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. / Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. / 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. ... <a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Hebrews 11:35</a> Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. <a href="/2_corinthians/8-2.htm">2 Corinthians 8:2-3</a> In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. / For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, <a href="/matthew/10-41.htm">Matthew 10:41-42</a> Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. / And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.” <a href="/luke/21-1.htm">Luke 21:1-4</a> Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, / and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. / “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ... <a href="/john/4-7.htm">John 4:7-10</a> When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) ... <a href="/romans/15-26.htm">Romans 15:26-27</a> For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. / They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings. <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1-7</a> Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ... <a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Genesis 21:15-19</a> When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. / Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. / Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. ... <a href="/exodus/16-12.htm">Exodus 16:12-15</a> “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a> He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. <a href="/psalms/37-25.htm">Psalm 37:25</a> I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And she said, As the LORD your God lives, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.As the Lord<a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> And 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.<a href="/1_samuel/14-39.htm">1 Samuel 14:39,45</a> For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him… <a href="/1_samuel/20-3.htm">1 Samuel 20:3,21</a> And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death… but an handful<a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2-7</a> And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil… <a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Matthew 15:33,34</a> And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? … that we may eat it<a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Genesis 21:16</a> And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.<a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a> If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.<a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9</a> They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/13-8.htm">Bake</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-16.htm">Barrel</a> <a href="/judges/6-38.htm">Bowl</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-11.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-19.htm">Cake</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-3.htm">Cruse</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-4.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-7.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-4.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-22.htm">Flour</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Handful</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-23.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-11.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">Sticks</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/44-15.htm">Bake</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Barrel</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Bowl</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-13.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-13.htm">Cake</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Cruse</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">Die</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-23.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-15.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Flour</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-25.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">Handful</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-13.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Sticks</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 17</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">Elijah, having prophesied against Ahab, </a> 3. <a href="/1_kings/17-3.htm">is sent to Cherith where the ravens feed him.</a> 8. <a href="/1_kings/17-8.htm">He is sent to the widow of Zarephath</a> 17. <a href="/1_kings/17-17.htm">He raises the widow's son</a> 24. <a href="/1_kings/17-24.htm">The woman believes him</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, The widow's acknowledgment of "the LORD your God" indicates her awareness of Elijah's God, suggesting a recognition of His power and existence, even though she is from Zarephath, a region outside Israel. This phrase reflects the cultural and religious context of the time, where people often recognized the gods of other nations. Her oath by the LORD shows a level of respect or fear, possibly indicating the influence of Elijah's reputation or the widespread knowledge of the God of Israel.I have no bread— This statement highlights the dire situation of the widow. Bread was a staple food in ancient Near Eastern culture, and her lack of it underscores the severity of the famine affecting the land. The scarcity of bread is a recurring theme in the Bible, often symbolizing physical and spiritual need, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread."only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. The mention of flour and oil points to the basic ingredients for making bread, emphasizing her poverty. In ancient times, these were common household items, but her limited supply indicates extreme deprivation. This scarcity sets the stage for the miraculous provision that follows, reminiscent of God's provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks The act of gathering sticks suggests her preparation for a final meal, highlighting her desperation. Sticks were used for kindling fires, and her collection of just a few indicates the smallness of the meal she plans to prepare. This imagery of gathering sticks is also seen in <a href="/numbers/15-32.htm">Numbers 15:32-36</a>, where a man is found gathering sticks on the Sabbath, underscoring the simplicity and necessity of the task.to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, The widow's focus on her son reveals her maternal instincts and the familial structure of the time. Her responsibility to provide for her child, even in the face of death, reflects the cultural emphasis on family and survival. This mirrors other biblical accounts of mothers in desperate situations, such as Hagar in <a href="/genesis/21.htm">Genesis 21</a>.so that we may eat it and die.” This phrase starkly portrays the hopelessness of her situation. The expectation of death after the meal underscores the severity of the famine and her lack of resources. It also sets the stage for God's intervention through Elijah, illustrating themes of faith and divine provision. This foreshadows the New Testament message of Jesus as the Bread of Life, offering eternal sustenance beyond physical needs (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God sent to deliver His messages and perform miracles. In this chapter, Elijah is sent to Zarephath during a time of drought and famine. 2. <a href="/topical/w/widow_of_zarephath.htm">Widow of Zarephath</a> A Gentile woman living in Zarephath, a town in Sidon. She is a central figure in this account, demonstrating faith and obedience despite her dire circumstances. 3. <a href="/topical/z/zarephath.htm">Zarephath</a> A town in the region of Sidon, outside of Israel. It is significant as a place where God provides for Elijah through a Gentile widow, highlighting God's sovereignty and provision beyond Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/d/drought_and_famine.htm">Drought and Famine</a> A severe drought, prophesied by Elijah, leads to widespread famine in the land, setting the stage for God's miraculous provision. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> The event where God miraculously provides for Elijah, the widow, and her son, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_provision.htm">Faith in God's Provision</a> The widow's situation seemed hopeless, yet she trusted Elijah's word. We are called to trust in God's provision, even when circumstances appear dire. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_in_scarcity.htm">Obedience in Scarcity</a> Despite her lack, the widow obeyed Elijah's request. Our obedience to God should not be contingent on our material abundance. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> God's provision for a Gentile widow in Zarephath demonstrates His sovereignty and care for all people, not just Israel. <a href="/topical/m/miracles_in_everyday_life.htm">Miracles in Everyday Life</a> The miracle of the flour and oil teaches us that God can use ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary things in our lives. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_desperation.htm">Hope in Desperation</a> The widow's initial despair turned to hope through God's intervention. We can find hope in God's promises, even in our darkest moments.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 17</a> <a href="/q/how_did_elijah_aid_the_widow_in_famine.htm">How did Elijah help the widow during the famine?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'i_am_the_bread_of_life'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by "I am the Bread of Life"?</a> <a href="/q/is_1_kings_17's_miracle_inconsistent.htm">Does the portrayal of supernatural sustenance and miracles in 1 Kings 17 contradict or create inconsistencies with other Old Testament accounts of God’s provision?</a> <a href="/q/does_1_kings_17_14_have_historical_proof.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological support for the miraculous provision of flour and oil (1 Kings 17:14), or does this story conflict with known evidence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) I have not a cake.--The famine may have already extended to Ph?nicia; for there, according to Menander, it lasted for a year; or, since the country depended upon Israel for supplies, the distress may have been only the reflex effect of the famine in Israel.As the Lord thy God liveth.--The phrase indicates a recognition of Elijah as a prophet of Jehovah the God of Israel, but probably (as, indeed, seems to be implied by the use of the words "thy God") no acknowledgment of Him as yet by the woman herself, such as the neighbouring heathen (as, for example, Hiram in the days of Solomon) often yielded.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth [Bahr, Keil, al. conclude from this formula that the woman was a worshipper of the God of Israel. Bahr is extremely positive on this point, affirming that, had she been a heathen, the words would have been positively hypocritical, and more, that Elijah would never have been sent (<a href="/luke/4-26.htm">Luke 4:26</a>) to an idolater. He further suggests that possibly she was an Israelite by birth, who had been married to a Phoenician. But all this is extremely doubtful. In the first place, it is noteworthy that the words are, "Jehovah thy God," words which show that she recognized Elijah, perhaps by his Jewish face, probably by his prophetic dress (<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a>) as a worshipper of Jehovah. But had she also been the same, it is probable that she would have said "my God," for that form would not only have given greater force to her obtestation, but would have established a bond of sympathy - such as Jews in a foreign land were only too glad to recognize - between them. And the remark that it is hypocrisy to swear by a god in whom one does not believe is disposed of by the consideration that she may well have believed in the Lord as well as in Baal. See note on 1 Kings 5:7. The Tyrians knew nothing of monotheism], I have not a cake [מָעונֹ, the synonym of עֻגָּה (ver. 13), the smallest kind of bread. It was baked in the ashes; hence the LXX. ἐγρυφίας. We gather from this pitiful disclosure that the famine had already extended to Phoenicia, as it naturally would do, considering how dependent that country was on Israel for its breadstuffs; see note on 1 Kings 5:9,11. Josephus (Ant. 8:13, 2) cites Menander as attesting to a year's drought in the reign of Ethbaal], but an handful of meal in a [Heb. the] barrel [כַּד, probably connected with cadus, cadeau, etc.; bucket, pail], and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks [i.e., a few sticks (Gesenius). We may compare the German idiom ein Paar and our "two or three." But "two" in this sense occurs nowhere else in the Bible - "two or three" is found in <a href="/2_kings/9-32.htm">2 Kings 9:32</a>; <a href="/isaiah/17-6.htm">Isaiah 17:6</a>; <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Amos 4:8</a>. According to Roberts, the word is constantly used for "few" by the natives of India. This widow was evidently reduced to the greatest extremities], that I may go in and dress it for me and my son [The LXX. has τέκνοις here and in ver. 13, and τὰ τέκνα in ver. 15. Bahr contends that Elijah first learnt from these words - the mention of a son and the absence of any mention of her husband - that he was addressing a "widow woman." But we read <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14, 19</a>, of "garments of widowhood" (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm">Deuteronomy 24:17</a>), and ver. 10, "a widow woman," etc., almost implies that Elijah from the first recognized her as such], that we may eat it, and die. <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/17-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But she replied, וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “As surely as the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative lives, חַי־ (ḥay-) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life I לִ֣י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> have יֶשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is no אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not bread— מָע֔וֹג (mā·‘ō·wḡ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4580.htm">Strong's 4580: </a> A cake of bread, parasite only כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction a handful מְלֹ֤א (mə·lō) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4393.htm">Strong's 4393: </a> Fullness, that which fills of flour קֶ֙מַח֙ (qe·maḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7058.htm">Strong's 7058: </a> Flour, meal in a jar בַּכַּ֔ד (bak·kaḏ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3537.htm">Strong's 3537: </a> A pail, earthenware, a jar and a little וּמְעַט־ (ū·mə·‘aṭ-) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> A little, fewness, a few oil שֶׁ֖מֶן (še·men) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8081.htm">Strong's 8081: </a> Grease, liquid, richness in a jug. בַּצַּפָּ֑חַת (baṣ·ṣap·pā·ḥaṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6835.htm">Strong's 6835: </a> A jar, jug Look, וְהִנְנִ֨י (wə·hin·nî) Conjunctive waw | Interjection | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> Lo! behold! I am gathering מְקֹשֶׁ֜שֶׁת (mə·qō·še·šeṯ) Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7197.htm">Strong's 7197: </a> To forage for, straw, stubble, wood, to assemble a couple of שְׁנַ֣יִם (šə·na·yim) Number - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) sticks עֵצִ֗ים (‘ê·ṣîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> Tree, trees, wood to go in וּבָ֙אתִי֙ (ū·ḇā·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go and prepare וַעֲשִׂיתִ֙יהוּ֙ (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯî·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make for myself לִ֣י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and my son, וְלִבְנִ֔י (wə·liḇ·nî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son so that we may eat it וַאֲכַלְנֻ֖הוּ (wa·’ă·ḵal·nu·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat and die.? וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ (wā·mā·ṯə·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 17:12 She said As Yahweh your God lives (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/17-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 17:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 17:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/17-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 17:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 17:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>