1 kings 17:3 - “Go away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 kings 17:3" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 17:3, is God's instruction to the prophet Elijah. Let's break it down:
"Go away from here...": God is telling Elijah to leave his current location. This implies that Elijah was somewhere where he was visible and known, likely involved in public ministry. The "here" is not explicitly stated, but given the context of the previous verses, it's reasonable to infer that Elijah was in or near Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
"...turn eastward...": This gives Elijah a direction. He is to move in an easterly direction from his current location.
"...and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan.": This is the key instruction.
"Hide yourself": This is significant. Elijah is not just moving to a new location, but he is specifically told to conceal himself. This suggests that he might be in danger or that his ministry needs to take a different form. The hiding is likely to protect him from King Ahab, who Elijah had just antagonized with his prophecy of drought.
"by the brook Cherith": This is Elijah's new destination. A "brook" is a small stream. Cherith is a specific brook, although its exact location is not definitively known today. The fact that God specifies a particular brook is important; this is not a random choice.
"that is before the Jordan": This phrase clarifies the location of the brook Cherith. "Before" in this context means "east of." So, the brook Cherith is located east of the Jordan River.
In summary, the verse means:
God is instructing Elijah to leave his current location near Samaria, head east, and hide himself near a specific stream called the brook Cherith, which is located east of the Jordan River.
Significance:
Divine Provision: This verse sets the stage for God's provision for Elijah during the drought. By telling him to go to the brook Cherith, God is taking responsibility for his sustenance. The following verses detail how God provided for Elijah with water from the brook and food brought by ravens.
Testing of Faith: This instruction also represents a test of Elijah's faith. He must trust that God will provide for him in this isolated and potentially vulnerable location.
Shift in Ministry: It marks a shift in Elijah's ministry from public confrontation to a more hidden, dependent relationship with God.
Preparation for Future Ministry: The time spent in isolation and dependence on God likely prepared Elijah for the challenges and responsibilities of his later ministry.
In essence, the verse highlights God's guidance, provision, protection, and preparation for Elijah in a time of crisis. It shows that God is in control even during challenging circumstances and that he will sustain those who are faithful to him.
1 kings 17:3 - “Go away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan.
What does "1 kings 17:3" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 17:3, is God's instruction to the prophet Elijah. Let's break it down:
"Go away from here...": God is telling Elijah to leave his current location. This implies that Elijah was somewhere where he was visible and known, likely involved in public ministry. The "here" is not explicitly stated, but given the context of the previous verses, it's reasonable to infer that Elijah was in or near Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
"...turn eastward...": This gives Elijah a direction. He is to move in an easterly direction from his current location.
"...and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan.": This is the key instruction.
"Hide yourself": This is significant. Elijah is not just moving to a new location, but he is specifically told to conceal himself. This suggests that he might be in danger or that his ministry needs to take a different form. The hiding is likely to protect him from King Ahab, who Elijah had just antagonized with his prophecy of drought.
"by the brook Cherith": This is Elijah's new destination. A "brook" is a small stream. Cherith is a specific brook, although its exact location is not definitively known today. The fact that God specifies a particular brook is important; this is not a random choice.
"that is before the Jordan": This phrase clarifies the location of the brook Cherith. "Before" in this context means "east of." So, the brook Cherith is located east of the Jordan River.
In summary, the verse means:
God is instructing Elijah to leave his current location near Samaria, head east, and hide himself near a specific stream called the brook Cherith, which is located east of the Jordan River.
Significance:
Divine Provision: This verse sets the stage for God's provision for Elijah during the drought. By telling him to go to the brook Cherith, God is taking responsibility for his sustenance. The following verses detail how God provided for Elijah with water from the brook and food brought by ravens.
Testing of Faith: This instruction also represents a test of Elijah's faith. He must trust that God will provide for him in this isolated and potentially vulnerable location.
Shift in Ministry: It marks a shift in Elijah's ministry from public confrontation to a more hidden, dependent relationship with God.
Preparation for Future Ministry: The time spent in isolation and dependence on God likely prepared Elijah for the challenges and responsibilities of his later ministry.
In essence, the verse highlights God's guidance, provision, protection, and preparation for Elijah in a time of crisis. It shows that God is in control even during challenging circumstances and that he will sustain those who are faithful to him.