The Raven

Illustration of The Raven

The raven, an unclean bird, plays a surprising role in Scripture as an instrument of God's provision. It was the first bird Noah sent out from the ark, and centuries later God commanded ravens to bring bread and meat to the prophet Elijah by the brook Cherith during a famine. Jesus pointed to the ravens, who neither sow nor reap yet are fed by God, as proof of the Father's care.

0:00
Strongest connections in Scripture
1 Kings 17

Key Passages

Ravens Feed Elijah

1 Kings 17:2-6

God commands ravens to bring Elijah bread and flesh morning and evening by the brook Cherith.

A2nd the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,

3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

Explore Related

Characters

Elijah Elijah was a powerful prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab and Queenโ€ฆ Noah Noah was a righteous man living in an era of widespread human wickedness and corruption, prompting God toโ€ฆ

Places

Brook Cherith Hidden away by the brook Cherith east of the Jordan, the prophet Elijah found refuge during the severeโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

The raven was the very first bird Noah released from the ark.

2

God commanded ravens to feed Elijah bread and meat by the brook Cherith.

3

Ravens are 'unclean' birds, making God's use of them all the more striking.

4

Jesus said, 'Consider the ravens' - God feeds them though they neither sow nor reap.