And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

1 KINGS 17:6KJV
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1 Kings 17:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 17:6 mean?

1 Kings 17:6 describes how ravens brought food—specifically bread and meat—to the prophet Elijah every morning and evening, and how he drank water from a nearby brook. This verse shows that Elijah’s basic needs were met in a miraculous way while he was hiding during a time of drought.

In the story, Elijah is alone by the brook Cherith after announcing a drought to King Ahab. God provides for Elijah by sending ravens to deliver food and by giving him water from the brook. The verse highlights both the unusual method of provision and the daily, dependable care Elijah received in a time of crisis.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 17:6

  • "ravens" (עֹרְבִים, ʿōrəḇîm): This word refers to the black birds known for being scavengers. Their role as providers here is surprising, since they are not typically associated with sharing food.
  • "bread" (לֶחֶם, leḥem) and "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, bāśār): These words show that Elijah received both staple food and meat, indicating a full meal, not just scraps.
  • "brook" (נַחַל, naḥal): This word means a stream or small river, which in this context is Elijah’s only water source during the drought.

Why 1 Kings 17:6 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that Elijah survived by his own efforts; the text emphasizes that his survival depended entirely on God’s unusual provision.
  • The detail that ravens, considered unclean birds, brought food highlights the unexpected ways help can come, challenging assumptions about what is “acceptable” or likely.
  • This verse sets the stage for the broader story of Elijah’s ministry, showing early on that God’s care can be both miraculous and daily, even in the hardest circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“ravens” Hebrew H6158 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
  • 1 Kings 17:4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
  • Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

“brook” Hebrew H5158 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Judges 4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

“evening” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.