1 Kings 17 12

1 Kings 17:12 kjv

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.

1 Kings 17:12 nkjv

So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."

1 Kings 17:12 niv

"As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread?only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it?and die."

1 Kings 17:12 esv

And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."

1 Kings 17:12 nlt

But she said, "I swear by the LORD your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die."

1 Kings 17 verses

1 Kings 17 12 Meaning

This verse portrays the desperate circumstances of the widow of Zarephath during a severe drought and famine. She swears by Elijah's God, YHWH, confirming her absolute lack of food, possessing only a final, minuscule amount of flour and oil sufficient for one last meal for herself and her son. Her solemn declaration of preparing it "that we may eat it and die" reveals the ultimate state of despair, signaling an immediate end to their lives. It sets the stage for a miraculous intervention by the Living God.

1 Kings 17 12 Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of Elijah's ministry during a severe drought upon Israel, declared by Elijah himself as divine judgment (1 Kgs 17:1). After being miraculously fed by ravens at the brook Cherith (1 Kgs 17:6), Elijah is commanded by God to go to Zarephath, a city in Sidonian territory (Phoenicia), the heartland of Baal worship. This mission itself is significant, as YHWH sends his prophet not to an Israelite widow, but to a Gentile. The woman's confession in 1 Kings 17:12 about her impending death from starvation, despite residing in Baal's supposed domain of rain and fertility, directly challenges the impotence of Baal. Her situation dramatically sets the stage for YHWH's unprecedented demonstration of power and provision through Elijah, serving as a powerful polemic against the prevalent worship of Baal by the people of Israel and King Ahab.

1 Kings 17 12 Word analysis

• And she said, As the Lord your God lives,:
  • And she said,: Signifies a direct response from the woman, often introducing significant dialogue in biblical narratives.
  • As the Lord your God lives, (חַי-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, chai-YHWH Eloheicha): This is an emphatic oath, a common form of solemn declaration in the ancient Near East, invoking the living God as witness. Crucially, it's "your God" (Elijah's God, YHWH), indicating that this Phoenician widow, from a land steeped in Baal worship, acknowledges YHWH's existence, possibly recognizing Elijah's divine connection, or even a nascent recognition of His supremacy. This is a remarkable theological statement from a Gentile in the heart of idolatry, laying groundwork for future revelations to non-Israelites.
• I have not a morsel of bread,:
  • not a morsel of bread (לֹא-פַת לֶחֶם, lo'-pat lechem): "Pat" means "piece" or "crumb." It conveys utter destitution, not even a crumb is left. This emphasizes the dire extreme of their famine.
• but only a handful of flour in a barrel and a little oil in a jar;:
  • handful of flour (כַּף קֶמַח, kaf kemach): Literally "palm of flour." This specifies the minute quantity – enough for perhaps one or two small flatbreads. It stresses the near-complete depletion of their stores.
  • barrel (כַּד, kad): A large jar, typically for grain or water. Its emptiness underscores their extreme poverty.
  • little oil (מְעַט שֶׁמֶן, me'at shemen): A minimal amount, signifying the last drops. Oil was vital for cooking and also for light; its scarcity reflects an immediate and comprehensive lack of resources for daily life.
  • jar (צַפַּחַת, tzappachat): A small flask or cruse for liquids. This detail specifies the container for the precious, nearly exhausted oil.
• and behold, I am gathering a couple of sticks, that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.:
  • gathering a couple of sticks: A daily, menial task, but here imbued with a grim purpose. Firewood was essential for baking their last meal.
  • prepare it for myself and my son: Shows her primal maternal instinct to care for her child even in dire circumstances. It underscores her personal sacrifice and prioritization.
  • that we may eat it and die: This chilling phrase communicates absolute hopelessness and fatalism. It highlights the perceived finality of their situation, illustrating the depth of despair famine could inflict, and setting a dramatic stage for God's life-giving intervention.

1 Kings 17 12 Bonus section

The oath "As the Lord your God lives" is more significant than just a figure of speech. It suggests that Elijah's initial command for her to feed him from her "barrel" and "jar" seemed, from her human perspective, not just unreasonable but outright impossible and, perhaps, insensitive, bordering on the absurd. Her response clarifies the absolute barrenness of her situation. It positions God's subsequent, continuous provision of flour and oil as an ongoing, sustained miracle, challenging the local drought conditions and Baal's supposed control over fertility. Her immediate obedience to Elijah’s request, despite the hopelessness expressed in this verse, makes her an example of radical faith, echoing the sacrificial giving of the poor widow in the New Testament. The continuous provision became a daily reminder of YHWH's living presence and His ability to sustain life where death was expected.

1 Kings 17 12 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the complete human inability to overcome overwhelming scarcity, perfectly framing God's miraculous intervention. The widow's declaration, marked by an oath referencing YHWH, reveals a foundational belief in the living God of Israel even in Gentile territory, setting her apart and making her receptive to God's prophet. Her detailed description of a "handful of flour" and "little oil" is not a refusal, but an honest assessment of utter poverty and impending death, demonstrating a profound test of faith. This impending consumption for a final meal and death signifies the extreme test that God was allowing for both the widow and Elijah, before His glorious demonstration of limitless provision. The scenario is a stark portrayal of human desperation met by divine faithfulness.