17:1 As Yahweh lives, the God of Israel A statement indicating that a formal oath will follow.

there shall surely not be dew nor rain A form of divine punishment. Israel’s behavior determines the weather and fertility of the land (Deut 11:13–17; compare 1 Kgs 8:35; 18:41–46).

Famines in the Bible Table

these years According to 1 Kgs 18:1, the drought lasts for three years.

17:3 the Wadi Kerith An unidentified riverbed.

17:4 you shall drink from the wadi Indicates a miracle; riverbeds in Israel dried up for most of the year. Even their pools were dry during droughts.

the crows The Hebrew word used here, orev, likely refers to the short-tailed black bird corvus rhipidurus, which nests around the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley.

17:7 after a while The Hebrew phrase used here, miqqets yamim (literally rendered as “at the end of days”) describes an indefinite number of days.

17:9 to Zarephath A Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast.

17:10 a widow woman She was presumably newly widowed, since she could be recognized by her mourning garment (compare Gen 38:14).

17:12 As Yahweh your God lives The phrase indicates that a formal oath will follow.

17:13 a small bread cake The Hebrew word used here, ugah, also occurs in 1 Kings 19:6, where it is described as being cooked on a hot stone.

17:14 until the day Yahweh gives rain Three years later (18:1), after the drought and the accompanying famine.

17:15 and he ate with her household for many days Apparently Elijah lived with the widow and her son for at least a period of time (v. 19).

Miracles of the Prophets Table

17:17 no breath The Hebrew word used here, neshamah, describes the force that animates all living creatures (Gen 2:7; Deut 20:16; Josh 11:11, 14). Its loss marks the end of life (Job 34:14–15).

17:18 O man of God This title designates a prophet or messenger of God. It also is used in reference to Moses (Deut 33:1).

17:19 upper room where he was staying A Shunammite shows this same hospitality to Elisha (2 Kgs 4:10–11).

17:21 three times A common number in rituals.

the life of The Hebrew word used here, nephesh, is typically translated “soul,” but can also refer to “breath,” “life,” or “inner being.” See note on 1 Kgs 2:4.

17:22 he lived The Hebrew word chayah simply means “to live,” but is sometimes translated as “he revived.” The child is never referred to using the Hebrew word mwtmwt, meaning “dead.”

17:24 Now this I know, that The revival of the widow’s son elicits an affirmation of Elijah’s prophetic office, a response not present with the miracle of the flour and oil (v. 16).