Brook Cherith

Hidden away by the brook Cherith east of the Jordan, the prophet Elijah found refuge during the severe drought that gripped the land as judgment for Israel's idolatry. There God miraculously provided water from the stream and daily sustenance through ravens that brought bread and meat each morning and evening, illustrating divine care for his faithful servant amid widespread famine. Yet when the brook eventually dried up, this temporary haven underscored the prophet's dependence on God's ongoing direction, preparing him for further acts of provision and revelation in the redemptive unfolding of Israel's history.

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Region: Transjordan
Modern Location: Wadi al-Kelt near Jericho (traditional identification)

Strongest connections in Scripture

1 Kings 17 3×

Key Passages

Elijah commanded to hide at Cherith

1 Kings 17:2-4

God directs Elijah to the brook to escape Ahab and Jezebel.

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.

Ravens sustain Elijah

1 Kings 17:5-6

Elijah drinks from the brook and is fed bread and meat by ravens morning and evening.

S⁵o 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.

Brook dries up

1 Kings 17:7

The brook eventually dries due to the ongoing drought, prompting Elijah's next move.

A⁷nd it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.