1 Kings 17:7

KJV

And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass after {H7093} a while {H3117}, that the brook {H5158} dried up {H3001}, because there had been no rain {H1653} in the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After a while the stream dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

Berean Standard Bible

Some time later, however, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 17:7 marks a poignant and pivotal moment in Elijah's early ministry, depicting the drying up of the brook Cherith, his initial source of sustenance. This event, a direct consequence of the severe drought prophesied by Elijah, signifies the escalating intensity of God's judgment upon idolatrous Israel and serves as a divine signal for Elijah's next phase of ministry, moving him from isolated provision to a new, unexpected, and even more miraculous source of sustenance orchestrated by God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the unfolding narrative of Elijah's prophetic debut. It immediately follows God's direct command for Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan, where he was miraculously sustained by ravens bringing him bread and meat, as detailed in [1 Kings 17:3-6](/1_kings/17-3-6 "God's Provision for Elijah at Cherith"). The drying of the brook is not an arbitrary event but a divinely orchestrated transition, directly setting the stage for God's subsequent instruction to Elijah to journey to Zarephath, where he would be sustained by a Gentile widow, as revealed in [1 Kings 17:9](/1_kings/17-9 "God directs Elijah to Zarephath after the brook dries"). This progression underscores God's dynamic guidance and unwavering provision, demonstrating His absolute control over circumstances and His commitment to deepening His servant's faith through successive acts of dependence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The drought afflicting Israel was far from a natural happenstance; it was a profound divine judgment against the pervasive idolatry championed by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, particularly their fervent promotion of Baal worship. Baal was venerated as the Canaanite god of rain, storms, and fertility, making the absence of rain a direct challenge to his perceived power. Elijah's initial prophecy in [1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "Elijah declares the drought to King Ahab") explicitly linked the cessation of rain to the word of Yahweh. In the arid climate of ancient Israel, a "brook" (Hebrew: *naḥal*) typically referred to a wadi—a seasonal streambed entirely dependent on rainfall. Its desiccation was a devastating and undeniable sign of extreme drought, serving as a stark repudiation of Baal's impotence and a powerful affirmation of Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over the heavens and the earth. The drying of Cherith, even in its secluded location, would have been a tangible manifestation of God's judgment reaching all corners of the land.
* **Key Themes:** The drying of the brook Cherith profoundly underscores several foundational theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, confirming that Yahweh, not the false god Baal, holds ultimate control over the natural world, including the life-sustaining rain. This act intensifies the judgment against Israel's idolatry, proving the utter futility and impotence of their false gods. Secondly, it highlights **God's Unwavering Provision and Guidance**, showing that even as one source of sustenance (the brook) ceases, God immediately orchestrates the next phase of provision for His servant, illustrating that His faithfulness is not confined to a single method or location but flows from His unchanging character. Lastly, the event emphasizes **Faith and Obedience**, as Elijah's continued reliance on God amidst the dwindling water supply prepared him for the subsequent, even more challenging, acts of faith required in Zarephath, demonstrating God's design to use changing circumstances to refine and deepen the faith of His chosen ones. This transition underscores the principle that God's people are called to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God, not by the stability of their circumstances, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man lives by every word of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **qêts (Hebrew, _qêts'_):** This word, meaning "extremity" or "end," is part of the phrase "after a while" (Hebrew: *miqqēṣ yāmîm*). Its use here signifies the conclusion of a specific period of time, marking a divinely appointed end to Elijah's stay at Cherith. It implies that the drying was not sudden but occurred at the "end" of a designated duration, highlighting God's precise timing and sovereign control over every detail of Elijah's journey and the unfolding judgment.
* **nachal (Hebrew, _nachal'_):** Translated as "brook," this term specifically refers to a "stream, especially a winter torrent." This emphasizes that the water source was inherently seasonal and dependent on rainfall, making its drying a direct, undeniable consequence of the drought. The choice of this word underscores the natural vulnerability of the water supply in an arid region, thereby magnifying the theological impact of its desiccation as a sign of divine judgment.
* **yâbêsh (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** This verb, translated "dried up," signifies a complete desiccation, not merely a reduction in flow. It can also carry connotations of being "ashamed, confused, or disappointed" (as failing). The brook did not just become low; it became utterly dry, a powerful visual of the drought's severity. This complete cessation demonstrates the totality of God's judgment, impacting even the secluded provision for His prophet, and revealing the comprehensive nature of Yahweh's control over creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass after a while":** This introductory clause indicates a passage of an unspecified but significant period of time. Elijah's sustained reliance on God's miraculous provision through the ravens and the brook during this duration allowed for the full impact of the drought to manifest and for his faith to be tested and refined through the gradual depletion of his water source. It emphasizes God's patient yet purposeful orchestration of events.
* **"that the brook dried up":** This is the central event of the verse, marking a critical turning point. The complete cessation of the water supply at Cherith directly signifies the intensifying severity of the drought that Elijah himself had prophesied. It removes Elijah's immediate, visible means of sustenance, compelling him into a new posture of absolute dependence and signaling a divinely mandated transition in God's plan for his ministry.
* **"because there had been no rain in the land":** This final clause provides the explicit theological and practical reason for the brook's desiccation. It directly connects the event to the overarching divine judgment against Israel's widespread idolatry, reinforcing that the drought was not a random natural occurrence but a deliberate and precise act of God's sovereignty. It powerfully underscores the truth that Yahweh, not Baal, controls the heavens and the earth, and His word, spoken through Elijah, was being perfectly fulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as the very land where Baal, the supposed god of rain and fertility, was fervently worshipped, now suffers from a severe, divinely orchestrated drought, exposing the impotence of the false deity. The drying brook functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not only the physical barrenness of the land under divine judgment but also the spiritual desolation and moral decay of Israel due to its rampant idolatry. Furthermore, the event serves as a crucial point of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at God's continued, often unexpected, and increasingly miraculous means of provision for Elijah, preparing the reader for the subsequent, even more astounding, sustenance at Zarephath. The stark reality of the "dried up" brook also generates significant **Dramatic Tension**, leaving the reader to anticipate with wonder how God will sustain His prophet next amidst such dire circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes, even in judgment. The drying of the brook Cherith demonstrates that God's provision, while real and miraculous, is not tied to any single method, location, or human expectation. He is the ultimate Provider, and He orchestrates circumstances—both favorable and challenging—to deepen the faith of His servants and to display His glory to a rebellious world. This event serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of spiritual rebellion and idolatry, directly linking the lack of physical sustenance to the nation's spiritual barrenness and unfaithfulness. Yet, it simultaneously highlights God's meticulous faithfulness to His prophet, preparing him for the next phase of ministry and ensuring his survival amidst the very judgment he proclaimed, proving that God always has a plan for His faithful ones.

* [Deuteronomy 11:16-17](/deuteronomy/11-16-17 "Deuteronomy 11:16-17 - Consequences of Idolatry and Drought")
* [Psalm 107:33-35](/psalms/107-33-35 "Psalm 107:33-35 - God's Power Over Nature and Provision for the Needy")
* [Isaiah 41:17-18](/isaiah/41-17-18 "Isaiah 41:17-18 - God Provides Water in the Wilderness for His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The drying of the brook Cherith offers a profound and challenging lesson in radical dependence on God. Just as Elijah's visible source of water disappeared, so too can our own perceived sources of security, comfort, or provision diminish or vanish. This verse compels us to honestly examine where our ultimate trust lies. Do we depend on the "brook"—our job, savings, health, relationships, or even our own abilities—or on the God who provides the brook? When our familiar sources dry up, it is not a sign of God's abandonment or displeasure, but often a divine invitation to deeper faith, prompting us to look beyond the immediate means to the unchanging, inexhaustible Provider Himself. This narrative encourages us to embrace transitions, trusting that God's faithfulness will lead us to the next phase of His plan, even when it involves uncertainty, discomfort, or a radical shift in our circumstances. It reminds us that God's methods may change, but His character and His commitment to His children remain steadfast, always guiding us towards greater reliance on Him and revealing His glory through unexpected pathways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "brooks" in your life have dried up, or are currently drying up? How do you typically react to such changes, and what does this reveal about your trust?**
* **How does the drying of Cherith challenge your understanding of God's provision? Does it encourage you to trust Him more fully, even when circumstances seem bleak or uncertain?**
* **In what ways might God be using changing circumstances in your life to deepen your faith, refine your character, and prepare you for a new phase of His work or calling?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow the brook to dry up if He was providing for Elijah?**

Answer: God allowed the brook to dry up for several interconnected and profound reasons, all serving His sovereign purposes. Firstly, it intensified the drought, which was a direct divine judgment against Israel's pervasive idolatry, particularly their worship of Baal, the false god of rain. The drying of a natural water source, even for God's prophet, powerfully demonstrated Yahweh's absolute control over creation and exposed the utter futility of Baal worship. Secondly, and crucially, it was a vital step in Elijah's spiritual formation, teaching him deeper, more radical dependence on God. Elijah had to learn that God's provision was not tied to a specific location or method, but to His unchanging character and word. This prepared him for the next, even more challenging, act of faith at Zarephath, where he would be sustained by a poor widow whose jar of flour and jug of oil would miraculously not run dry ([1 Kings 17:14-16](/1_kings/17-14-16 "1 Kings 17:14-16 - The Widow's Unfailing Provisions")). God often removes one source of comfort or provision to reveal a greater, more miraculous, and often unexpected one, thereby deepening faith, demonstrating His glory, and proving that He is the ultimate, inexhaustible Provider.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The drying of the brook Cherith, while a specific event in Elijah's life, resonates with profound Christ-centered implications, pointing forward to the ultimate provision found in Jesus Christ. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, a power fully embodied in Jesus Christ, through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Just as God orchestrated the drought to expose Israel's spiritual barrenness and idolatry, Jesus came to confront the spiritual drought of humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate source of living water. In a world parched by sin and spiritual emptiness, Jesus declares, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus, the Source of Living Water")). The temporary, finite provision of the brook Cherith points to the eternal, unfailing provision found in Christ, who is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the one who satisfies every spiritual hunger and thirst completely and eternally. Furthermore, God's faithful guidance of Elijah through changing circumstances, from a brook to a widow's home, foreshadows God's perfect faithfulness to His Son, even through His wilderness temptation where angels ministered to Him after a period of fasting ([Matthew 4:11](/matthew/4-11 "Matthew 4:11 - Angels Minister to Jesus")). Ultimately, the drying brook, leading to a new, unexpected source of life, serves as a powerful metaphor for the old covenant's inadequacy and the new covenant's superabundant grace found in Christ, who offers an inexhaustible wellspring of grace, truth, and eternal life that will never dry up.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 40:30

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.