1 Kings 19:5
New International Version
Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”

New Living Translation
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”

English Standard Version
And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”

King James Bible
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

New King James Version
Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he lay down and fell asleep under a broom tree; but behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat!”

NASB 1995
He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.”

NASB 1977
And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.”

Amplified Bible
He lay down and slept under the juniper tree, and behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.”

American Standard Version
And he lay down and slept under a juniper-tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

Contemporary English Version
Then he lay down in the shade and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel woke him up and said, "Get up and eat."

English Revised Version
And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he lay down and slept under the broom plant. An angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."

Good News Translation
He lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, "Wake up and eat."

International Standard Version
Then he lay down and went to sleep under the juniper tree. All of a sudden, there was an angel, who kept grabbing him and telling him, "Get up! Eat!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, ?Get up and eat.?

NET Bible
He stretched out and fell asleep under the shrub. All of a sudden an angelic messenger touched him and said, "Get up and eat."

New Heart English Bible
He lay down and slept under a broom tree. And look, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

Webster's Bible Translation
And as he lay and slept under a juniper-tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.

World English Bible
He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he lies down and sleeps under a certain broom tree, and behold, a messenger is reaching toward him and says to him, “Rise, eat”;

Young's Literal Translation
And he lieth down and sleepeth under a certain retem-tree, and lo, a messenger cometh against him, and saith to him, 'Rise, eat;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will lie down and sleep under one broom-tree, and behold, then a messenger touched upon him, and he will say to him, Arise, eat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he cast himself down, end slept in the shadow of the juniper tree: and behold an angel of the Lord touched him, and said to him: Arise and eat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he stretched himself out, and he slept deeply in the shadow of the juniper tree. And behold, an Angel of the Lord touched him, and said to him, “Rise up and eat.”

New American Bible
He lay down and fell asleep under the solitary broom tree, but suddenly a messenger touched him and said, “Get up and eat!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he lay down and slept soundly under the oak tree; and, behold, an angel touched him and said to him, Arise and eat.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he fell asleep and he sank under the oak, and behold, an Angel came to him and said to him: “Arise! Eat!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he lay down and slept under a broom-tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him: 'Arise and eat.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he lay down and slept there under a tree; and behold, some one touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Flees From Jezebel
4while he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.…

Cross References
Genesis 28:11-12
On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. And taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. / And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.

Exodus 16:4
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11-12
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. / They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 103:20
Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command.

Psalm 104:4
He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 26:43
And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

Mark 1:13
and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

Luke 22:43
Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

John 6:31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Acts 12:7
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.

Acts 27:23-24
For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me / and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’


Treasury of Scripture

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.

as he lay

Genesis 28:11-15
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep…

and angel

Psalm 34:7,10
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them…

Daniel 8:19
And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

Daniel 9:21
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Jump to Previous
Angel Arise Asleep Broom Broom-Tree Earth Eat Fell Juniper Juniper-Tree Lay Messenger Once Rise Sleep Sleepeth Slept Stretching Touched Touching Tree
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Angel Arise Asleep Broom Broom-Tree Earth Eat Fell Juniper Juniper-Tree Lay Messenger Once Rise Sleep Sleepeth Slept Stretching Touched Touching Tree
1 Kings 19
1. Elijah, threatened by Jezebel, flees to Beersheba
4. In the desert, being weary of his life, he is comforted by an angel
9. At Horeb God appears unto him, sending him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha
19. Elisha, taking leave of his friends, follows Elijah














Then he lay down
This phrase indicates a moment of physical and emotional exhaustion for Elijah. The Hebrew root for "lay down" is "שָׁכַב" (shakab), which often implies a state of rest or vulnerability. Elijah, having fled from Jezebel, finds himself in a state of despair, seeking solace in sleep. This act of lying down underlines his humanity and need for divine intervention, reminding us that even the most faithful servants of God can experience moments of weakness.

under the broom tree
The "broom tree," or "רֹתֶם" (rotem) in Hebrew, is a desert shrub known for providing shade in arid regions. Its mention here is significant, as it symbolizes a place of refuge and minimal comfort in the wilderness. Historically, the broom tree was a common sight in the Judean desert, offering travelers a brief respite from the harsh sun. Spiritually, it represents God's provision in times of desolation, a reminder that He provides shelter even in our most barren moments.

and fell asleep
Elijah's sleep signifies a temporary escape from his troubles, a natural human response to overwhelming stress. The act of sleeping in the Bible often symbolizes a period of waiting or transition. In this context, it suggests a pause before divine intervention. Sleep here is not just physical rest but a metaphor for surrendering one's burdens to God, trusting in His timing and care.

Suddenly an angel
The appearance of "an angel" (מַלְאָךְ, malak) is a pivotal moment, indicating divine intervention. Angels in the Bible are messengers of God, often bringing guidance, protection, or provision. The suddenness of the angel's appearance underscores the immediacy of God's response to Elijah's plight. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is attentive to our needs and can intervene at any moment, often when we least expect it.

touched him
The act of touching is deeply personal and signifies care and reassurance. In Hebrew, "נָגַע" (naga) means to touch or reach. This gentle touch from the angel is a physical manifestation of God's compassion and presence. It highlights the intimate nature of God's relationship with His people, showing that He is not distant but actively involved in our lives, providing comfort and encouragement.

and said, 'Get up and eat.'
The command to "Get up and eat" is both practical and symbolic. In Hebrew, "קוּם" (qum) means to arise, and "אָכַל" (akal) means to eat. This directive addresses Elijah's immediate physical needs, emphasizing the importance of self-care even in spiritual journeys. Historically, food and sustenance are recurring themes in God's provision for His people. Spiritually, this command signifies renewal and preparation for the journey ahead, reminding us that God equips us with what we need to fulfill His purposes.

(5)An angel touched him.--The word may signify simply "a messenger," human or super-human; but the context suggests a miraculous ministration of some unearthly food. It is notable that, except as ministers of God in the physical sphere (as in 2Samuel 24:16-17; 2Kings 19:35), the angels, whose appearances are so often recorded in earlier days, hardly appear during the prophetic period, as though the place of their spiritual ministry, as messengers of God, to the people had been supplied by the prophetic mission. Here, and in 2Kings 6:17, the angel is but auxiliary to the prophet, simply ministering to him in time of danger and distress, as the angel of the Agony to the Prophet of prophets.

Verse 5. - And as he lay and slept ["While death was called for, the cousin of death comes unbidden" (Hall)] under a [Heb. one] Juniper tree, behold, then [Heb. זֶה this; "behold here," siehe da, Gesen.], an angel [Heb. messenger; the same word as in ver. 2, but explained in ver. 7 to be a messenger of God. Cf. Genesis 16:9; Genesis 21:17] touched [Heb. touching] him and said unto him, Arise and eat. [Probably he had eaten little or nothing since leaving Jezreel. Food was now what he most needed. This circumstance suggests that the profound depression betrayed in his prayer (ver. 4) was largely the result of physical weakness.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then he lay down
וַיִּשְׁכַּב֙ (way·yiš·kaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

under
תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the broom tree
רֹ֣תֶם (rō·ṯem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7574: Broom plant, retem

and fell asleep.
וַיִּישַׁ֔ן (way·yî·šan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3462: To be slack, languid, sleep, to grow old, stale, inveterate

Suddenly
וְהִנֵּֽה־ (wə·hin·nêh-)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

an angel
מַלְאָךְ֙ (mal·’āḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

touched
נֹגֵ֣עַ (nō·ḡê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

him
בּ֔וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and said,
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Get up
ק֥וּם (qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and eat.”
אֱכֽוֹל׃ (’ĕ·ḵō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat


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OT History: 1 Kings 19:5 He lay down and slept under (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 19:4
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