1 Kings 19:7 kjv
And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
1 Kings 19:7 nkjv
And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you."
1 Kings 19:7 niv
The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."
1 Kings 19:7 esv
And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you."
1 Kings 19:7 nlt
Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, "Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you."
1 Kings 19 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 16:35 | The children of Israel ate manna forty years... | God's sustained provision in wilderness |
| Deut 8:3 | Man does not live on bread alone...every word from the mouth of the Lord. | God's word and provision sustain life |
| Psa 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... | God's provision even amidst distress |
| Psa 34:8 | Taste and see that the Lord is good... | Experiencing God's goodness through provision |
| Psa 78:24-25 | He rained down manna upon them for food...angels' food. | Heavenly provision for physical needs |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. | God strengthens the exhausted |
| Isa 40:31 | But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength... | Renewal of strength for God's purposes |
| Joel 2:25 | I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten... | God's restorative power and renewal |
| Matt 4:4 | Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone...'" | Emphasizes sustenance beyond mere food |
| Matt 4:11 | Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. | Angels ministering in times of exhaustion |
| Luke 22:43 | An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. | Divine strengthening during severe trials |
| 1 Kgs 19:5-6 | An angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."... | The first angelic provision, precursor |
| Exo 13:17 | God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer. | God's foresight in leading His people |
| Deut 2:7 | For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey... | God's guiding and protecting hand |
| Gen 32:25 | When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched Jacob’s hip... | A divine touch, both impactful and transformative |
| Mark 1:31 | He came and took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her... | Christ's compassionate touch for healing |
| Luke 5:13 | Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" | Jesus' touch bringing cleansing and restoration |
| Eph 5:14 | "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." | A spiritual call to 'arise' |
| Acts 9:6 | Arise and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do. | A divine command to 'arise' for a task |
| Heb 11:13 | All these people were still living by faith when they died. They admitted that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. | Life as a spiritual journey/pilgrimage |
| Phil 4:19 | My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. | God's comprehensive provision for His saints |
1 Kings 19 verses
1 Kings 19 7 Meaning
The angel of the Lord, appearing for a second time, intervened to physically revive Elijah. This intervention provided the prophet with necessary sustenance and the urgent instruction to prepare for a demanding, God-ordained journey. The verse highlights God's compassionate care for His servant, providing practical aid and strength for a future divine encounter and commission, even when Elijah was at his lowest point of despair and physical exhaustion.
1 Kings 19 7 Context
Following the dramatic triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah faced severe personal and spiritual exhaustion. Despite the victory, Jezebel's death threat shattered his resolve, leading him to flee into the wilderness, reaching Beersheba in Judah. In deep despair, wishing for death, he fell asleep under a broom tree. The Lord's direct intervention, through an angel, marked a turning point. The first angelic appearance provided miraculous food and water and enabled him to rest. This verse, 1 Kings 19:7, describes the second, more insistent intervention, vital for the next stage of Elijah's journey—a forty-day trek to Horeb, the mountain of God, for a profound re-encounter with the Lord and renewal of his prophetic calling. God acknowledges Elijah's human limitations, providing supernatural sustenance for the rigorous path ahead, indicating that the divine plan for Elijah was far from complete.
1 Kings 19 7 Word analysis
- And the angel of the Lord (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, malakh YHWH): This phrase denotes a divine messenger or, in many Old Testament instances, a manifestation of the Lord Himself. Here, it signifies direct, authoritative, and compassionate divine intervention in Elijah's extreme weakness. It underlines God's personal involvement in caring for His weary prophet.
- came again the second time: Emphasizes God's persistence and abundant grace. The Lord did not abandon Elijah after one touch but ensured His servant was fully equipped for the task ahead. It reflects God's steadfastness and unfailing care.
- and touched him (וַיִּגַּע, vayyigga'): This gentle yet powerful act implies a restorative and enabling touch. It's not a touch of judgment but of re-energizing and comfort, necessary for one in physical and spiritual decline. This physical contact signifies personal engagement and direct power transfer.
- and said: Highlights the verbal communication accompanying the physical touch, conveying divine will and instruction. It signifies direct divine instruction for the path ahead.
- Arise (קוּם, qum): A divine imperative, not merely an encouragement to wake up but a call to action, to leave despair, and to resume his divine mandate. It’s a common biblical command for starting a new phase or accepting a commission.
- and eat (אֱכֹל, ʾekhol): A command for practical physical nourishment, demonstrating that God cares for both the physical and spiritual needs of His servants. Physical strength was prerequisite for spiritual and physical journey.
- because the journey is too great for thee (כִּי רַב הַדֶּרֶךְ מִמְּךָ, ki rav hadderekh mimmeḵa): Literally "for great [is] the way from/for you." This phrase acknowledges Elijah's physical and mental limitations and the extraordinary nature of the upcoming path to Horeb. It underscores divine provision in light of human weakness, highlighting God's understanding and foresight concerning the demands of His service.
- The angel... touched him, and said, Arise and eat: This sequence shows God’s comprehensive care – physical touch, verbal command, and provision for both rest and the future journey. It indicates a direct and personalized divine intervention to counter Elijah's deep despair and prepare him for his next mission.
- The journey is too great for thee: This phrase speaks to God's awareness of human limitations. Even for His most powerful prophets, there are tasks beyond human capacity without divine empowerment. It's a statement of divine compassion, providing enablement where human strength fails.
1 Kings 19 7 Bonus section
The journey mentioned here leads Elijah to Horeb (Mount Sinai), which is significant. This is the same mountain where Moses received the Law and encountered God's presence. By leading Elijah there, the Lord was bringing him back to the very source of Israel's covenant and revelation, signaling a renewal of his mission and a deeper understanding of God's character, distinct from the dramatic public display on Carmel. This divine provision underscores that even our weaknesses and points of despair can become opportunities for deeper dependence on God and fresh revelations of His unchanging nature and ongoing purpose. The supernatural meal did not just satisfy hunger but imbued Elijah with strength that lasted forty days and forty nights, mirroring the journey of Israel through the wilderness and the forty-day fasts of Moses and later Jesus, linking divine sustenance with significant spiritual encounters.
1 Kings 19 7 Commentary
1 Kings 19:7 portrays a profoundly tender and practical aspect of God's character. In Elijah's darkest hour, marked by despondency and a suicidal prayer, God does not rebuke but provides. The angelic messenger's second touch and explicit command to "Arise and eat" underscore the Lord's persistent, personal care. This was not just a meal, but divine enablement for a divinely ordained journey to Horeb. God recognizes and accommodates Elijah’s physical exhaustion ("the journey is too great for thee"), demonstrating that He supplies our needs to fulfill His purposes. This moment is crucial for Elijah's spiritual rehabilitation, moving him from despair to a new encounter with God's presence and power. It teaches that before new revelations or commissions, God often provides physical and mental restoration. This truth applies to believers, reminding us that God understands our weaknesses and provides grace and strength sufficient for every God-given path, sustaining us in the wilderness experiences of life.