So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
1 KINGS 17:10KJVWhat does 1 Kings 17:10 mean?
1 Kings 17:10 describes the prophet Elijah arriving at the city gate of Zarephath, where he meets a widow gathering sticks and asks her for a little water to drink. This marks the beginning of Elijah’s encounter with the widow, setting up a significant story of provision during a time of drought.
Elijah is following God’s direction after leaving the brook Cherith, and he finds the widow exactly as God said he would. The city gate was a common place for meeting people and conducting daily business. Elijah’s simple request for water introduces a relationship that will soon reveal both the widow’s desperate situation and God’s care for her and Elijah.
The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 17:10
- "arose" (קוּם, qum): This word means to get up or rise, showing Elijah’s obedience and readiness to act on God’s command.
- "gate" (שַׁעַר, shaʿar): The city gate was more than an entrance; it was a place of gathering, making it likely Elijah would meet someone there.
- "widow" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah): This term highlights the woman’s vulnerable social status, which is important for understanding the significance of Elijah’s request and the coming miracle.
- "gathering" (קָשַׁשׁ, qashash): This word means collecting or gathering, in this case, sticks—emphasizing the widow’s poverty and her need to gather fuel for cooking.
Why 1 Kings 17:10 matters
- This verse sets the stage for one of the Bible’s most memorable stories of God providing for both Elijah and the widow during a severe famine.
- The mention of the widow’s actions and location highlights her poverty and vulnerability, making the coming miracle more striking.
- The meeting at the city gate shows how ordinary moments and places can become the setting for significant acts of faith and divine intervention.