And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

1 KINGS 17:24KJV
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1 Kings 17:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 17:24 mean?

1 Kings 17:24 shows the widow telling Elijah that, because of what has just happened, she now truly believes he is a man sent by God and that the words he speaks from the LORD are reliable and true. This is her clear statement of trust in Elijah’s connection to God and the truthfulness of his message.

The speaker is the widow of Zarephath, addressing Elijah after he has raised her son from the dead. Her words come at a moment of relief and amazement, following her earlier doubts and distress. The verse highlights a turning point for her faith, as she recognizes both Elijah’s identity as a "man of God" and the authority of the message he brings from the LORD.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 17:24

  • אִשָּׁה (’ishah, "woman"): This word refers to the widow herself, emphasizing her personal testimony and experience in this moment.
  • אֱלֹהִים (’Elohim, "God"): The word used here for God is a general term for the divine, underlining that Elijah is recognized as someone who belongs to or represents the true God.
  • דָּבָר (davar, "word"): This term means "word" or "message," and in this context, it points to the specific words or promises Elijah has spoken on behalf of the LORD.
  • אֱמֶת (’emet, "truth"): This word means "truth" or "reliability." The widow is not just saying Elijah’s words are accurate, but that they are trustworthy and dependable, which is a strong affirmation of faith.

Why 1 Kings 17:24 matters

  • This verse marks a shift in the widow’s understanding, showing that witnessing God’s power firsthand leads her to genuine faith in both Elijah and his message.
  • The verse connects back to earlier doubts and fears the widow had, showing how God’s actions through Elijah address real human struggles and questions.
  • It highlights the importance of the messenger’s credibility and the truthfulness of God’s word, themes that run throughout the stories of the prophets in the Old Testament.

Where else these words appear

“this” Hebrew H2088 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
  • Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
  • 1 Samuel 25:21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

“Elijah” Hebrew H452 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
  • 1 Kings 18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
  • 2 Kings 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

“truth” Hebrew H571 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
  • Psalms 30:9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
  • Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.