1 Kings 19 5

1 Kings 19:5 kjv

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

1 Kings 19:5 nkjv

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

1 Kings 19:5 niv

Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."

1 Kings 19:5 esv

And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat."

1 Kings 19:5 nlt

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, "Get up and eat!"

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 5 Meaning

This verse depicts a critical moment in Elijah's life after his triumphant victory on Mount Carmel, followed by intense fear and despair leading him to flee and wish for death. As he lay in utter exhaustion, sleeping under a solitary broom tree in the wilderness, an angel of God gently intervened. This divine messenger touched him, awakening him, and instructed him to "Arise and eat," providing immediate and tangible physical sustenance to revive him before any spiritual discourse or further instruction. It highlights God's tender care for His servants in their deepest moments of vulnerability and His practical provision for physical needs as a prerequisite for strength and continuation of purpose.

1 Kings 19 5 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Elijah's profound prayer for death in 1 Kings 19:4. Following his triumphant confrontation with the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18), Elijah receives a death threat from Queen Jezebel. Overwhelmed by fear, exhaustion, and possibly a sense of failed mission or isolation, he flees into the wilderness alone, sinking into deep despair. This specific verse marks the precise moment of divine intervention, an act of compassionate care by Yahweh for His physically and emotionally depleted servant. It initiates the process of Elijah's physical recovery and spiritual re-engagement, preparing him for his journey to Mount Horeb, where he would encounter God and receive new directives. Historically, prophets often sought solitary retreats in the wilderness to encounter God, and the desert itself was a place of testing but also profound divine provision. The specific mention of a "juniper tree" (a rothem broom tree) emphasizes the desolation of the location and Elijah's extreme vulnerability, underscoring God's personal and meticulous care for His prophet in a hostile environment, subtly polemical against any notion that pagan deities could provide in such circumstances.

1 Kings 19 5 Word analysis

• And as he lay and slept: This phrase depicts Elijah's state of profound exhaustion, both physical and emotional. "Slept" (יָשַׁן - `yashan`) signifies a deep, perhaps despair-induced, unconsciousness. It shows his utter vulnerability, a stark contrast to his earlier boldness. God meets him precisely in his weakest moment.
• under a juniper tree: The Hebrew word is `rothem` (רֹתֶם). This refers to the broom tree (`Retama raetam`), a common desert shrub. It offers very little, yet valuable, shade in the barren wilderness, signifying Elijah's isolated and desolate hiding place. The King James Version's "juniper" is an older, general rendering; the specific tree (rothem) highlights the extreme, arid conditions and God's attention to detail even in minimal provision.
• behold: The Hebrew `v'hinneh` (וְהִנֵּה) is an interjection used to draw attention, signaling something sudden, unexpected, and significant, often introducing a divine or miraculous appearance. It emphasizes the immediacy and surprising nature of the angelic intervention.
• then an angel: The Hebrew `mal'akh` (מַלְאָךְ) literally means "messenger." Here, it unequivocally refers to a heavenly messenger from God. This highlights direct divine action and assistance, demonstrating God's active involvement in the lives of His servants. It is not left to chance; God sends His personal emissary.
• touched him: The Hebrew verb is `naga'` (נָגַע), meaning "to touch, strike, reach." Here, it denotes a gentle, physical touch designed to awaken. This physical contact emphasizes the tangibility and personal nature of God's care. It’s an act of comfort and reassurance, not a forceful or alarming contact, breaking Elijah's spell of despair-laden sleep.
• and said unto him, Arise: "Arise" (קוּם - `qum`) is a command to stand up, to wake fully, both physically from sleep and metaphorically from his despondency. It’s the first step God initiates towards Elijah's recovery and renewed purpose, moving him from passive despair to active readiness.
• and eat: The Hebrew verb `akhal` (אָכַל) means "to eat." This direct, practical command addresses Elijah's most immediate and fundamental physical need. God's first priority is to strengthen his body, recognizing that severe physical depletion often precedes or accompanies deep spiritual and emotional despair. It demonstrates God's holistic care for His servant.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "lay and slept under a juniper tree": This entire phrase conveys utter exhaustion and vulnerability in a harsh, isolated environment. It paints a picture of extreme human frailty where only divine intervention can sustain life.
  • "behold, then an angel touched him": This powerful short phrase signals a direct, immediate, and supernatural intervention. It’s God's sudden reaching out to a distressed servant, bypassing human means and demonstrating His attentive, personal concern.
  • "Arise and eat": These two concise imperatives encapsulate God's pragmatic and foundational approach to healing. Before any spiritual reproof, theological revelation, or renewed commission, God provides basic physical necessities, emphasizing that sustenance is critical for future spiritual engagement and obedience.

1 Kings 19 5 Bonus section

• This passage demonstrates that God acknowledges and provides for the human limitations of His servants, including burnout and emotional distress, often attending to physical needs before giving spiritual direction.
• The nature of the angelic intervention is restorative and gentle, serving to nourish and strengthen Elijah, contrasting with a disciplinary approach, highlighting God's grace in times of weakness.
• The immediate provision of food is specifically to prepare Elijah for the extraordinary journey of forty days and nights to Mount Horeb, demonstrating that God's immediate provisions often serve a larger, purposeful divine plan.

1 Kings 19 5 Commentary

1 Kings 19:5 powerfully illustrates God's tender, compassionate, and immediate response to Elijah's despair and exhaustion. Following his great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah is completely overwhelmed by Jezebel's threat, highlighting that even mighty prophets can experience extreme human weakness. Rather than rebuking Elijah for his fear or lack of faith, God meets him in his vulnerable state with practical, physical provision. The gentle angelic touch and the simple commands "Arise and eat" underscore God's holistic care, recognizing that physical nourishment is often essential before spiritual and emotional healing can begin. This act of divine hospitality under the rothem tree prepares Elijah for the arduous journey ahead, signifying God's sustaining grace that enables His servants to continue their divine assignment even after profound personal collapse.