1 Kings 17 23

1 Kings 17:23 kjv

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

1 Kings 17:23 nkjv

And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives!"

1 Kings 17:23 niv

Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, "Look, your son is alive!"

1 Kings 17:23 esv

And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives."

1 Kings 17:23 nlt

Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look!" he said. "Your son is alive!"

1 Kings 17 verses

1 Kings 17 23 Meaning

This verse marks the climax of Elijah's ministry with the widow of Zarephath, depicting his compassionate action of returning her miraculously revived son. With a direct physical act, Elijah delivers the living child to his mother, affirming with clear words, "See, your son lives!" This powerful demonstration serves as undeniable proof of the Lord God's authority over life and death, executed through His faithful prophet.

1 Kings 17 23 Context

1 Kings 17 records key events in the early ministry of the prophet Elijah during the reign of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in Israel, a time marked by deep apostasy and the widespread worship of Baal. After Elijah declares a severe drought as judgment from the Lord (v. 1), he is supernaturally sustained by ravens at the Wadi Cherith (vv. 2-7). Following this, God sends him to the Gentile city of Zarephath, to a destitute widow and her son who are on the brink of starvation. Through Elijah, the Lord miraculously provides a never-ending supply of flour and oil, sustaining them through the drought (vv. 8-16). This prepares the groundwork for the ultimate display of God's life-giving power: when the widow's son falls ill and dies (v. 17). Her anguished confrontation with Elijah (v. 18) leads the prophet to take the dead child, retreat to his upper chamber, and earnestly cry out to the Lord (vv. 19-21). After his fervent prayers, the Lord hears, and life returns to the boy (v. 22). Verse 23 details the triumphant act of Elijah physically presenting the revived son back to his mother, emphatically declaring his restored life, thus validating both the prophet and the God he serves against the impotence of Baal worship.

1 Kings 17 23 Word analysis

• And Elijah: The active human agent through whom God’s power is channeled. His physical presence and actions are vital.

• took: Hebrew laqach (לָקַח). Signifies careful handling, carrying, or receiving. It underscores Elijah's direct engagement with the now-living child, emphasizing the personal nature of the miracle.

• the child: Hebrew hayyeled (הַיֶּלֶד). Specifies the tender age of the one who was dead, making the miracle of resurrection all the more profound and highlighting the fragility of life without divine intervention.

• and brought him down: Hebrew yarad (יָרַד), to descend. This marks a transition from the private realm of prayer and divine encounter in the "upper chamber" back to the domestic, visible space of the house.

• from the upper chamber: Hebrew ʿalîyâ (עֲלִיָּה). This room on the roof or second floor was a place of solitude, prayer, and rest. It symbolizes the space where divine intervention took place.

• into the house: Hebrew habbayiṯ (הַבַּ֖יִת). Represents the common living space, the sphere of family life. The journey from the secluded chamber to the bustling home signifies the integration of the miracle into ordinary life.

• and gave him: Hebrew natan (נָתַן), to give, present, restore. This act completes the physical aspect of the restoration, transferring the renewed life back into the mother’s care, an image of God restoring what was lost.

• to his mother: The recipient of the miracle. Her direct confrontation with death (v. 18) is now met with the joy of restoration. The miracle directly addresses her profound personal loss.

• And Elijah said: Indicates an authoritative declaration, making public the miraculous work of the Lord through His prophet.

• "See": Hebrew reʾî (רְאִ֕י). An imperative command, compelling the mother to use her own eyes to verify the undeniable truth of the miracle. It insists on direct observation.

• "your son": Hebrew binḵā (בִּנְךָ֖). Personalizes the declaration, directly addressing the woman's prior grief and identity as a mother of a dead child. It reaffirms her familial bond.

• "lives!": Hebrew ḥāy! (חָֽי). The emphatic and most crucial word. It’s a powerful, concise declaration that utterly contradicts death. This word asserts the triumph of life and the supreme power of the God of Israel over the forces of death, a direct challenge to the impotence of Baal.

• Words Group Analysis:

  • "And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and gave him to his mother.": This detailed sequence of actions portrays the intentionality and compassion of Elijah. It signifies a transition from death in the private prayer space to life fully restored within the family home. Every action is precise, demonstrating that this is a real, tangible resurrection, not a fleeting vision, culminating in the joyous reunion of mother and son.
  • "And Elijah said, 'See, your son lives!'": This short, powerful declaration validates the physical act. The command "See" demands firsthand witness to the truth, leaving no room for doubt. The direct statement "your son lives!" provides the conclusive proof of God’s active intervention, shifting the mother from despair to absolute faith and understanding of who the true God is. This verbal confirmation solidifies the miracle's significance.

1 Kings 17 23 Bonus section

• This miracle not only restores the life of the boy but fundamentally changes the mother's perception, leading her to proclaim in the next verse, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth" (1 Kgs 17:24). This highlights how signs and wonders often lead to profound shifts in belief and faith in God's message.
• The fact that this life-giving miracle occurred for a Gentile widow (a Sidonian) demonstrates God's sovereign and boundless grace, extending beyond the conventional boundaries of Israel. This foreshadows the broader reach of God's redemptive plan as fully revealed in the New Testament.
• The detail of Elijah physically bringing the child and giving him to his mother emphasizes the tenderness and relational aspect of God's intervention, not just an abstract display of power, but a compassionate restoration of family.
• The command "See!" not only invites immediate observation but may also echo divine commands for Israel to "see" and acknowledge God's works and truth throughout their history.

1 Kings 17 23 Commentary

1 Kings 17:23 serves as the climactic point of God's interaction with the Zarephath widow through Elijah. The verse's profound simplicity underscores the majesty of God's power over death. Elijah, serving as God's instrument, physically brings the boy, alive, from the isolated 'upper chamber' – where private anguish and fervent prayer transpired – back into the mother’s living space, symbolic of life renewed and integrated into daily existence. The command "See," followed by the definitive "your son lives!" not only confirms the miracle to the mother but also broadcasts Yahweh’s supreme authority. This act is a potent refutation of Baal worship, demonstrating that while Baal might be petitioned for rain and fertility, he is utterly incapable of bestowing or restoring life. This resurrection is the first explicitly recorded in the Old Testament, setting a vital precedent for future prophetic and ultimately Christ's demonstrations of power over death. It powerfully illustrates God’s care for the vulnerable, His responsiveness to earnest prayer, and His willingness to work through His faithful servants to display His glory and validate His word.