Bible Strands
1 Kings 17:22
And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah stands over the dead boy in the widow’s upper room immediately after stretching himself out three times and praying for restoration. The narrative shifts from his petition to God’s direct response before Elijah returns the child to his mother.
The words — וַתָּשֶׁב (va-tashov) translates as “and it returned,” describing the נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “life” or “soul”) of the lad coming back to him. This verb denotes a physical and vital restoration rather than a metaphorical change of mind.
The thread — This reversal of death aligns with Deuteronomy 32:39’s declaration that God alone brings death and gives life, and anticipates Revelation 11:11’s account of the breath of life entering the witnesses.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine attention to prayer precedes physical restoration, leaving the reader to acknowledge God’s sovereign control over life and death.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
- Revelation 11:11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.
- John 5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice
- Romans 14:9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
- Hebrews 11:35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
- 1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
- 2 Kings 13:21 Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
- Luke 8:54 But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
- Acts 20:12 And the people were greatly relieved to take the boy home alive.