1 Kings 17:6

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

And the ravens {H6158} brought {H935} him bread {H3899} and flesh {H1320} in the morning {H1242}, and bread {H3899} and flesh {H1320} in the evening {H6153}; and he drank {H8354} of the brook {H5158}.

The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the stream.

The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook.

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 17:6

This verse is part of the dramatic narrative of the prophet Elijah during a severe drought in Israel, which he had prophesied in 1 Kings 17:1. Following his bold declaration to King Ahab, God commanded Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan (1 Kings 17:3). This period at Cherith was a time of isolation and complete dependence on God for the prophet's survival, setting the stage for remarkable divine provision.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision: The most striking theme is God's miraculous and consistent provision for Elijah. In a land ravaged by drought and famine, God ensured His prophet received daily sustenance. This demonstrates God's ability to provide even in the most desperate circumstances.
  • Supernatural Intervention: The means of provision—ravens bringing bread and meat—is highly unusual and highlights God's sovereignty over all creation, including animals that are typically scavengers and considered unclean under Mosaic Law. This underscores that God's ways are often beyond human understanding and expectation.
  • Obedience and Trust: Elijah's obedience to God's command to hide by the brook, even when it meant isolation and an uncertain future, was met with divine faithfulness. His trust was rewarded with daily miracles.
  • God's Care for His Servants: This passage powerfully illustrates God's personal and meticulous care for those who serve Him, ensuring their needs are met even when human resources fail.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "ravens" is `עֹרְבִים` ('orevim). The choice of ravens is particularly significant because they were considered ceremonially unclean birds in Israelite culture. This detail emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's provision; He used an unexpected and even ritually "impure" source to sustain His prophet, demonstrating His absolute control and ability to work outside conventional norms. The phrase "bread and flesh" (or meat) indicates a balanced and adequate diet, provided consistently "in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening," highlighting the reliability of God's daily supply.

Practical Application

The story of Elijah at the brook Cherith offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Provision: When facing scarcity, uncertainty, or difficult circumstances, this verse encourages us to trust that God shall supply all your need, often in unexpected ways.
  • Embrace Unconventional Methods: God is not limited by human logic or resources. We should remain open to His unique and sometimes surprising methods of provision and guidance.
  • The Reward of Obedience: Elijah's unwavering obedience led to his miraculous sustenance. This reminds us that faithfulness to God's commands, even when they seem strange or difficult, often unlocks His blessings.
  • God's Faithfulness: Just as God was faithful to Elijah, He remains true to His promises. This narrative is a testament to God's great faithfulness, which is new every morning. This period of provision by the ravens foreshadows God's further miraculous provision through the widow of Zarephath later in the chapter.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:23 (11 votes)

    Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

  • Psalms 78:24 (11 votes)

    And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

  • Matthew 6:31 (8 votes)

    Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

  • Matthew 6:33 (8 votes)

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Psalms 78:15 (6 votes)

    He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths.

  • Psalms 78:16 (6 votes)

    He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

  • Matthew 14:19 (5 votes)

    And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.