King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 17:10 Mean?

1 Kings 17:10 in the King James Version says “So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

1 Kings 17:10 · KJV


Context

8

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

9

Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. Zarephath: Gr. Sarepta

10

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11

And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12

And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the drought, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּ֣קָם׀1 of 23

So he arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ2 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

צָֽרְפַ֗תָה3 of 23

to Zarephath

H6886

tsarephath, a place in palestine

וַיָּבֹא֙4 of 23

And when he came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל5 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֣תַח6 of 23

to the gate

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

הָעִ֔יר7 of 23

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְהִנֵּה8 of 23
H2009

lo!

שָׁ֛ם9 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִשָּׁ֥ה10 of 23

woman

H802

a woman

אַלְמָנָ֖ה11 of 23

behold the widow

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

מְקֹשֶׁ֣שֶׁת12 of 23

was there gathering

H7197

to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble

עֵצִ֑ים13 of 23

of sticks

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וַיִּקְרָ֤א14 of 23

and he called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙15 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּאמַ֔ר16 of 23

to her and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קְחִי17 of 23

Fetch

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נָ֨א18 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִ֧י19 of 23
H0
מְעַט20 of 23

me I pray thee a little

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מַ֛יִם21 of 23

water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

בַּכְּלִ֖י22 of 23

in a vessel

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

וְאֶשְׁתֶּֽה׃23 of 23

that I may drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 17:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 17:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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