1 Kings 17:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Elijah stretches himself over the child three times and prays that his life would return.
What Does 1 Kings 17:21 Mean?
Elijah stretches his own body over the child three times, an act of earnest identification, and cries out for the boy's life to return. He asks God to do what no human power can: to restore the soul to the body. Everything now rests on the LORD alone.
The prophet's outstretched body and persistent cry show that intercession is whole-hearted, not a casual request. He pleads for resurrection, trusting that the God of life can give back what death has taken. This longing points forward to the One who would Himself conquer death, and through whom the dead are promised to live again.
1 Kings 17:21 in the Original Language
nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), 'soul' -- the living self or life-breath; Elijah prays for the very life of the child to return.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 17:21
What does 1 Kings 17:21 mean?
Elijah stretches himself over the child three times and prays that his life would return.