1 Kings 17:8

KJV

¶ And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto him, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then this word of ADONAI came to him:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 17:8 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the prophet Elijah, serving as a divine turning point where the direct and authoritative word of the LORD comes to him. This verse signals the conclusion of Elijah's period of miraculous sustenance at the Brook Cherith and initiates his next assignment, demonstrating God's sovereign control over circumstances and His faithful, dynamic provision for His chosen servant amidst a severe national crisis. It underscores God's initiative in guiding His prophets and His people through changing seasons of life and ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Elijah's miraculous provision at the Brook Cherith, as detailed in [1 Kings 17:1-7](/1_kings/17-1-7 "1 Kings 17:1-7 - Elijah at Brook Cherith"). Having boldly prophesied a severe drought that would halt rain and dew for years ([1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah's Prophecy of Drought")), Elijah was commanded by God to hide by the brook, where he was supernaturally fed by ravens and drank from the dwindling water source. The drying up of the brook, explicitly stated in [1 Kings 17:7](/1_kings/17-7 "1 Kings 17:7 - The Brook Dries Up"), creates the immediate narrative necessity for God's new directive. Verse 8 acts as a crucial transitional statement, preceding God's explicit command for Elijah to go to Zarephath in [1 Kings 17:9](/1_kings/17-9 "1 Kings 17:9 - Command to Zarephath"), thereby setting the stage for a new and challenging phase of divine provision and prophetic ministry involving a Gentile widow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Kings 17 unfold during the tumultuous reign of King Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Jezebel, a period universally recognized as one of the darkest in Israel's history due to widespread idolatry. The systematic promotion of Baal worship, particularly by Jezebel, directly challenged the covenant relationship between Israel and YHWH. Elijah, as a prophet of YHWH, stood as a stark counterpoint to the numerous false prophets of Baal, demonstrating the true God's power and sovereignty. The drought itself was a direct judgment from YHWH, intended to expose the impotence of Baal, the Canaanite god of rain and fertility, and call Israel back to true worship. In this context, God's direct communication to Elijah, a hallmark of true prophecy in ancient Israel, underscored His active involvement in human affairs and His unique, personal relationship with His chosen messengers, contrasting sharply with the silent, unresponsive idols of the surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** The phrase "And the word of the LORD came unto him" powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the narrative of Elijah and the broader biblical message. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Guidance and Initiative**, emphasizing that God is actively involved in directing Elijah's life and ministry, initiating the next step rather than Elijah seeking it. This underscores God's sovereign control over circumstances and His faithful provision for His servants, even when previous means of sustenance cease, as seen with the drying brook in [1 Kings 17:7](/1_kings/17-7 "1 Kings 17:7 - The Brook Dries Up"). Secondly, it signifies **Transition and New Assignment**, marking a definitive shift from Elijah's hidden sustenance at Cherith to his next public assignment in Zarephath ([1 Kings 17:9](/1_kings/17-9 "1 Kings 17:9 - Command to Zarephath")), where he would encounter the widow and her son. This demonstrates that God's plans are dynamic and unfold in stages, requiring adaptability and trust from His servants. Finally, it implicitly sets the stage for **Obedience and Trust**, as Elijah's subsequent actions confirm his immediate obedience to God's word, underscoring a consistent theme in his life and foreshadowing a new test of his trust in God's unconventional methods of provision and the expansion of God's grace beyond Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more than a mere utterance; it carries inherent power, authority, and often refers to a divine decree, message, or even a tangible event. In the Old Testament, God's "word" is active and effective, bringing creation into being ([Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God Speaks and Light Appears")), establishing covenants, and executing judgment or salvation. Here, it signifies a potent, authoritative communication from the sovereign God, not merely a suggestion but a directive that demands a response and carries the power for its own fulfillment.
* **of the LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** The use of the covenant name of God, YHWH (H3068), often rendered "LORD" in English translations, emphasizes His personal, relational, and unchanging character. It highlights that the communication is not from a generic deity but from the specific God of Israel, who is actively engaged with His people and His prophet, even in a time of national apostasy and judgment. It underscores His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the drought and its cessation.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) signifies the act of speaking or declaring. When used in conjunction with "the word of the LORD came," it reinforces the clarity and explicit nature of the divine message. It indicates that the communication was not a vague impression or an internal thought, but a distinct, verbalized instruction, preparing the listener for the precise commands that would follow. This verb emphasizes the directness and intelligibility of God's communication to Elijah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto him":** This opening clause employs a standard prophetic formula found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - The Word of the LORD Came"), [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the LORD Came")). It signifies a direct, authoritative, and undeniable divine revelation to the prophet. It underscores God's sovereign initiative in guiding Elijah, rather than Elijah seeking or conjuring the message. This divine communication is the impetus for all subsequent action, establishing that Elijah's ministry is entirely dependent on and directed by God, highlighting His active involvement in the unfolding narrative.
* **"saying,":** This simple yet crucial word indicates that the divine word was not merely an impression or a general sense, but a clear, explicit, and verbal message. It prepares the reader for the specific instructions that follow in the subsequent verses, emphasizing the precise nature of God's command to Elijah and the expectation of his immediate and detailed obedience. It serves as a direct bridge to the content of God's new directive.

#### Literary Devices
1 Kings 17:8 effectively employs several literary devices that enhance its theological and narrative impact. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula**, "the word of the LORD came unto him," which is a recurring and highly significant phrase throughout biblical prophetic literature. Its consistent use immediately signals to the reader that what follows is a direct, authoritative, and divinely inspired message, distinguishing it from human counsel or opinion. This formula establishes the divine origin and binding nature of the instruction Elijah is about to receive, elevating its importance. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Narrative Pivot** or **Transition**, marking the definitive end of Elijah's period of hidden sustenance at the Brook Cherith and setting the stage for his next phase of ministry in Zarephath. This transition highlights God's dynamic guidance and His ability to move His servants from one season of provision and purpose to another, demonstrating His ongoing sovereignty. The active verb "came" also emphasizes **Divine Initiative**, portraying God as the primary actor, sovereignly directing the events and His prophet's path, rather than Elijah initiating the next step or seeking new instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 17:8 profoundly illustrates God's active, personal, and authoritative communication with His servants. It reinforces the theological truth that God is not a distant deity but one who intimately engages with His creation and providentially guides the lives of those who serve Him. The drying up of the brook at Cherith, followed by this divine word, teaches that God's methods of provision are dynamic and often require transitions, yet His faithfulness remains constant. He closes one door only to open another, always with a specific purpose and a new assignment in mind. This verse underscores the necessity of listening for God's voice, trusting His timing, and being prepared to obey His directives, even when they lead to unfamiliar or challenging circumstances. It is a testament to God's sovereign control over all things, including natural phenomena and human circumstances, all orchestrated to fulfill His divine plan and demonstrate His power over false gods.

* [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - The Word of the LORD Came")
* [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - Ezekiel's Vision and Call")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 17:8 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God remains actively involved in our lives, just as He was with Elijah. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness to God's voice, recognizing that His guidance is often specific and timely, especially during periods of transition or uncertainty. Just as the brook dried up for Elijah, we too may experience seasons where familiar sources of comfort, provision, or direction seem to diminish. In such moments, this verse calls us to trust that God is not abandoning us but is often preparing us for a new, perhaps greater, demonstration of His faithfulness and a different assignment. Our readiness to hear and obey His word, even when it leads us out of our comfort zones or into seemingly illogical situations, is crucial for experiencing His continued guidance and blessing. It underscores that true security is found not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging, authoritative word of the LORD, which consistently directs and sustains His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse encourage you about God's active involvement in your life, particularly during times of change or uncertainty?**
* **In what areas might God be calling you to transition, even if it means leaving a comfortable or familiar situation or method of provision?**
* **What practices help you to discern and respond to "the word of the LORD" in your own life today, and how can you cultivate greater attentiveness to His voice?**

### FAQ

**Why is the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto him" so significant in biblical narrative?**

Answer: This phrase is highly significant because it is a standard prophetic idiom used throughout the Old Testament to denote a direct, authoritative, and undeniable divine revelation. It signals that the message received by the prophet is not a product of human thought, intuition, or speculation, but originates directly from God Himself. This distinguishes true prophecy from false prophecy and establishes the divine origin and binding nature of the instruction or revelation that follows. For Elijah, it underscores that his actions and movements are not based on personal strategy but on God's sovereign direction, highlighting God's active involvement in guiding His chosen servants and unfolding His divine plan. It emphasizes God's initiative in communicating His will, ensuring that the prophet's actions are aligned with divine purpose, and providing the necessary authority for their proclamation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The direct, authoritative "word of the LORD" that came to Elijah in [1 Kings 17:8](/1_kings/17-8 "1 Kings 17:8 - The Word of the LORD Came to Elijah") finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While God spoke to His prophets in various ways and at different times ([Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), He has now spoken definitively through His Son ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), who is the very essence of God's communication. Jesus is not merely a messenger of God's word; He *is* the Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the full and perfect revelation of God's character and will. The divine initiative seen in God speaking to Elijah culminates in God sending His Son into the world to accomplish salvation and establish His eternal kingdom ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Just as Elijah received specific guidance for his next steps, believers in Christ receive guidance through the living Word, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the Scriptures ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")). Jesus Himself speaks with ultimate authority ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), guiding His disciples into all truth and empowering them for their mission, embodying the very essence of God's active and sovereign communication and demonstrating His faithful provision for His people in every season.

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 41:17

[When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1 Kings 17:2

And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,