1 Kings 17:5 kjv
So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
1 Kings 17:5 nkjv
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.
1 Kings 17:5 niv
So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.
1 Kings 17:5 esv
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan.
1 Kings 17:5 nlt
So Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan.
1 Kings 17 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 6:22 | Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. | Noah's perfect obedience to God's specific commands. |
| Gen 12:4 | So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. | Abraham's immediate response to divine calling. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | If you obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings will come... | Blessings promised for obedience to God's word. |
| Josh 11:15 | As the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua... | Joshua's complete execution of divine orders. |
| Psa 119:6 | Then I shall not be ashamed, when I look upon all Your commandments. | Assurance in following all of God's commands. |
| Jer 1:7 | But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' for to everyone | God's specific direction for His prophets. |
| Psa 33:4 | For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. | God's word is trustworthy and true. |
| Isa 55:11 | So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty | God's word is effective and accomplishes His purpose. |
| Matt 6:25-33 | Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat... | God's promise to provide for those who seek His kingdom. |
| Luk 12:24 | Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom.. | God's provision for even seemingly insignificant creatures. |
| John 14:21 | He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; | Obedience as a mark of love for God. |
| Acts 8:26 | But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Get up and go south..." | Philip's prompt obedience to a divine directive. |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out... | Abraham's faith demonstrated through obedience. |
| Jas 1:22 | But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. | The importance of actively doing God's word. |
| Exod 3:1-2 | Now Moses was pasturing the flock... He led the flock to the west side... | Moses' isolation and preparation for ministry in the wilderness. |
| Exod 24:18 | Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up on the mountain; and Moses.. | Moses' retreat into God's presence for revelation. |
| 1 Ki 19:8 | So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days | Elijah's journey to Mount Horeb (place of divine encounter). |
| Mk 1:35 | And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up... | Jesus' practice of seeking solitude for prayer and communion. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory... | God's boundless ability to meet every need. |
| Psa 23:1-2 | The LORD is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He makes me lie down... | The Lord as ultimate provider and guide. |
1 Kings 17 verses
1 Kings 17 5 Meaning
1 Kings 17:5 details the prophet Elijah's immediate and complete obedience to the specific command of the Lord. It records his act of departing and settling by the designated refuge of the Brook Cherith, demonstrating his trust and compliance with divine instruction for his provision and protection during the severe drought.
1 Kings 17 5 Context
1 Kings chapter 17 introduces Elijah the Tishbite as a prophet sent by God to pronounce a severe drought upon Israel during the reign of Ahab. This drought was a direct divine judgment against Ahab's unprecedented wickedness, particularly his promotion of Baal worship at the behest of his Sidonian wife, Jezebel. Baal was believed to be the storm god, controller of rain, thunder, and fertility, and his cult was flourishing. Immediately after Elijah's bold prophecy to Ahab (1 Ki 17:1), God commands Elijah to retreat to a specific, hidden location by the Brook Cherith (1 Ki 17:2-4). Verse 5 describes Elijah's unhesitating response to this divine instruction. This act of withdrawal was essential for Elijah's protection from Ahab's wrath and also served as a demonstration of God's unique ability to sustain His prophet directly, even through unlikely means (ravens, a drying brook), thereby proving His supremacy over Baal's impotent claims to control weather and provision.
1 Kings 17 5 Word Analysis
- So he went: (Hebrew: וַיֵּלֶךְ, vayyelekh). This phrase denotes immediate and resolute action. It signifies prompt obedience without questioning or delay, illustrating Elijah's complete submission to God's will. It's not a suggestion but a direct command executed.
- and did: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַשׂ, vayya'as). Paired with "went," this emphasizes the fulfillment of the divine command. Elijah didn't just hear; he acted according to what he was told, confirming the completion of the instruction.
- according to the word of the LORD: (Hebrew: כִּדְבַר יְהוָה, kidvar YHWH). This is the pivotal phrase. "Word" (davar) in Hebrew encompasses more than just a spoken utterance; it often carries the weight of an accomplished decree, a powerful mandate, or an event itself. "LORD" (YHWH) refers to the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This establishes God's ultimate authority as the source of Elijah's action, not human will or expediency. It underlines Elijah's identity as God's instrument and validates his every move as divinely ordained.
- for he went and stayed: (Hebrew: וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיֵּשֶׁב, vayyelekh vayyeshev). The repetition of "went" reinforces the journey and departure, while "stayed" implies an enduring presence, indicating that Elijah took up residence there for an extended period, relying fully on God's provision. It speaks to sustained obedience, not just initial compliance.
- by the Brook Cherith: (Hebrew: נַחַל כְּרִית, Nachal Kerith). "Nachal" typically refers to a wadi, a seasonal watercourse that can be dry except after rain, or sometimes a perennial stream. In the context of a drought, the very existence of water highlights God's supernatural provision. "Cherith" is possibly derived from a root meaning "to cut off," suggesting a place of seclusion or separation. This obscure, isolated location ensured Elijah's protection from Ahab and also forced his complete dependence on God, "cutting off" all other human means of support.
- which is before Jordan: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הַיַּרְדֵּן, asher al-penei haYarden). "Before Jordan" typically suggests a location east of the Jordan River. This places Cherith in a more remote, possibly non-Israelite, and less-trafficked region, further emphasizing Elijah's separation from the public eye and the idolatrous nation. This geographical detail underscores the protective measures God took for His prophet in a time of great spiritual danger and national judgment.
1 Kings 17 5 Bonus section
- Divine Preparation: Cherith served as a spiritual training ground for Elijah. Away from the clamor and idolatry of Israel, he was prepared for future public confrontations (like Mount Carmel) through solitude, quiet reflection, and a direct experience of God's unfailing provision.
- Polemics against Baalism: By providing for Elijah at Cherith through the brook and ravens during the drought, Yahweh demonstrated His supremacy over Baal, who was worshipped as the rain and fertility god. Yahweh alone controls the elements and sustenance, not the Canaanite deity. The very nature of the provision (ravens, an unclean animal) further underscored God's sovereign freedom beyond human customs or limitations.
- The Power of God's Word: The repeated phrase "according to the word of the LORD" elevates God's spoken instruction to the ultimate authority and source of Elijah's life and actions. This phrase recurs throughout Elijah's narrative, underscoring that every move he made was under divine impulse, making his life a living testament to the efficacy and sufficiency of God's word.
1 Kings 17 5 Commentary
This verse encapsulates the essence of Elijah's character and the foundational principle of his powerful ministry: unreserved obedience to the direct commands of the Lord. In a time of profound national apostasy under King Ahab, Elijah's prompt retreat to the Brook Cherith, a seemingly desolate place during a severe drought, was a bold act of faith and compliance, rather than an act of fear. It wasn't a strategic human decision but a precise divine directive, illustrating that God's ways are higher than human logic. God instructed Elijah to go to an obscure brook for sustenance from ravens, emphasizing His sovereign control over creation, even over unclean birds and dwindling water sources, directly challenging Baal's purported domain over rain and provision. This period of isolation at Cherith also served as a crucible for Elijah's spiritual formation, preparing him through total dependence for the greater public showdowns yet to come, teaching him that God's word is entirely sufficient even when all visible means disappear.