1 Reis 17
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Reis 17
NJB (MT versing) Elijah Predicts Drought Elijah Proclaims a Drought The Beginning of the Story of Elijah Elijah and the Drought Elijah Foretells the Drought 17:1-7 17:1-7 17:1-7 17:1 17:1 In the Ravine of the Cherith 17:2-4 17:2-6 17:5-7 At Zarephath The Miracle of the Flour and Oil Elijah and the Widow Elijah and the Widow in Zarephath 17:7-14 17:8-16 17:8-16 17:8-16 17:8-11 17:12 17:13-14 (14) 17:15-16 17:15-16 Elijah Raises the Widow's Son Elijah Revives the Widow's Son The Widow's Son Raised to Life 17:17-24 17:17-24 17:17-24 17:17-18 17:17-24 17:19-22 17:23 17:24 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS The reign of Ahab is given much more coverage than previous kings of Israel. He documents the continuous evil of the Omri dynasty (see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1026-1027). The chapter begins the ministry of Elijah. He and Elisha are powerful prophets of God given to the northern tribes. YHWH did not leave even sinful Israel without His message.
1 Reis 17:1-7
17:1 "Elijah" The account of Elijah's ministry begins here and goes through 2 Kings 1, where the story of Elisha begins. ▣ NASB, Targums, Vulgate "the settlers of Gilead" NKJV, JPSOA, Peshitta "the inhabitants of Gilead" NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB "in Gilead" "of Galaad" The MT has "the Tishbite from the settlers of Gilead," but with a revocalization it can be understood as "the Tishbite from Tishbe in Gilead" (Josephus, Antiq. 8.13.2). The UBS Text Project gives this revocalization a "B" rating (some doubt). ▣ "the Lord. . .lives" This is a play on the covenant name for Deity (cf. v. 12) YHWH, which is a form of the Hebrew VERB "to be." SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "neither dew nor rain" Dew is the most significant source of moisture in Canaan. It rains only two times during the year (i.e., planting and just before harvest). YHWH, not Ba'al the storm god, controls nature (cf. Lev. 26:19; Deut. 11:13-19; 28:23). He demonstrates this control to judge idolatry bring His people back to faith in Him 17:2 "the word of the Lord" This is a Hebrew idiom of YHWH's revelation. 17:3 "the brook Cherith" The location is uncertain but it appears to be an isolated wadi somewhere in Gilead, which was Elijah's home area. 17:4 "the ravens" This is the translation of all the English versions. However, since ravens were unclean birds (cf. Lev. 11:15), many Jewish commentators have suggested a revocalization to "Arabs." the ravens ‒ הערים (BDB 788) the Arab (singular) ‒ הערי (BDB 787, cf. Neh. 1:19; 6:1) the Arabs (plural) ‒ הערבים (BDB 887, cf. Neh. 4:1; 2 Chr. 21:16; 22:1) This was not an attempt to remove the miracle but defend Elijah's kosher food source. 17:5 Obedience is crucial (cf. 1 kgs. 13:11-32).
1 Reis 17:8-16
17:8-16 This account illustrates the compassion of YHWH the obedience of Elijah YHWH's love and care for non-Israelites YHWH's power over rain/dew is now matched by His power over flour and oil! 17:9 "Zarephath" As Gilead was beyond Ahab's control, so too, Phoenicia. 17:15 The widow was obedient to the prophet's messge from YHWH. I am surprised by v. 24. She had already demonstrated faith in YHWH's word and power. ▣ "and she and her household" This statement involved three people. the widow Elijah the widow's son
1 Reis 17:17-24
17:17-24 The widow and Elijah are tested. Another crisis gives YHWH the opportunity to show He is in control of death! When the Bible speaks on this subject, we must clarify three types of YHWH's power over death. Enoch and Elijah are taken to heaven without death. The son and many others are restored to physical life but they will die again in the future (i.e., resuscitation). Jesus was resurrected, which means a new spiritual/physical existence (i.e., no more death). Jesus is the only one so far (cf. 1 Corinthians 15). This resuscitation would have been related to the myth of Ba'al's death and rising (i.e., winter-spring). Ba'al had no power over death (as he had no power over rain) but YHWH did! 17:17 "no breath left in him" This is the ancient's belief that "breath" showed life; no breath (BDB 675), no life. This is not the word ruah (BDB 924) but a SYNONYM. Notice in v. 22 the child's nephesh returns to him. For nephesh (BDB 659) see notes online at Gen. 35:18 and Lev. 17:11. 17:18 "to bring my iniquity to remembrance" It is common to view one's circumstances as revealing God's attitude toward that person. But this is not biblical. We are all sinners and deserve judgment but YHWH deals with us in mercy (i.e., Ps. 103:8-14). We all live in a fallen world! However, God has chosen to be in it with us. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) 17:19 "the upper room" This was a structure on the roof which could be reached by stairs on the outside of the house. It was possibly used only in the hot months by the family. The term (BDB 751; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 422) is used in a variety of ways. upper room of a modest home ‒ here upper room of a palace ‒ Jdgs. 3:20; 2 Kgs. 1:2; Isa. 28:8 upper floor of the temple ‒ 1 Chr. 28:11; 2 Chr. 3:9 upper room over a city's gate ‒ 2 Sam. 19:1 even of YHWH's dwelling place ‒ Ps. 104:3,13