1 Kings 17:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 17:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 17:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, etc.] For his breakfast and supper, the two principal meals then in use; and as there were several employed, they could bring a sufficiency in a short time for each meal; and these provisions were ready prepared, the bread made and baked, and the flesh boiled, broiled, or roasted; from whence they had it need not be inquired after; the Jews say f369 they were fetched from Ahab’s table, and others from Jehoshaphat’s, and others, as probable as any, from the tables of the 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal: and he drank of the brook; at his meals.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the ravens brought him bread--The idea of such unclean and voracious birds being employed to feed the prophet has appeared to many so strange that they have labored to make out the Orebim, which in our version has been rendered "ravens," to be as the word is used (in Eze 27:27) "merchants"; or Arabians (Ch2 21:16; Neh 4:7); or, the citizens of Arabah, near Beth-shan (Jos 15:6; Jos 18:18). But the common rendering is, in our opinion, preferable to these conjectures. And, if Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens, it is idle to inquire where they found the bread and the flesh, for God would direct them. After the lapse of a year, the brook dried up, and this was a new trial to Elijah's faith.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And flesh - Not raw, but boiled by the ministry of some angel or man, and left in some place 'till the ravens came for it: in all which, there is nothing incredible, considering the power and providence of God. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the ravens: Exo 16:35; Num 11:23; Jdg 14:14, Jdg 15:18, Jdg 15:19; Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10, Psa 37:3, Psa 37:19; Psa 78:15, Psa 78:16, Psa 78:23, Psa 78:24; Isa 33:16; Jer 37:21, Jer 40:4; Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18; Mat 6:31-33, Mat 14:19-21, Mat 19:26; Luk 22:35; Heb 6:18, Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification