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Ravens

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Gwyneth, Jul 20, 2003.

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  1. Gwyneth

    Gwyneth <img src=/gwyneth.gif>

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    Today , at church, the preacher spoke on 1 Kings 17.
    He said that there was a tribe descended from Ishmael,some of whom camped near the brook Cherith, he said that these people were known as "Ravens" because they used black tents, and that the ravens in this passage may refer to this. I have never heard this interpretation before, has any one here got any ideas on this? I would have thought that a capital `R`would have been used if this were so.
    Gwyneth
     
    #1 Gwyneth, Jul 20, 2003
  2. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Well that's certainly not something I've ever heard preached! I disagree with his interpretation for the following reasons.

    Raven's are not nice birds. They neglect their own babies yet were chosen by God to feed HIS prophet! What a mighty miracle!

    1 Kings 17:4 "It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there." 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.

    Here's an explanation of where your preacher may have come up with that idea:
    Luke 12:24
    "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!


    Diane
     
    #2 dianetavegia, Jul 20, 2003
  3. Baptist Believer

    Baptist Believer Well-Known Member
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    When I was taking Hebrew in seminary, we translated this passage in class. It has been over a decade since I’ve looked at this in the Hebrew, but the professor noted the word that is often translated “ravens” – it literally meant “blacks”.

    The professor speculated that it was actually a group of people with dark complexions who were directed by God to assist Elijah.

    --

    In case you were wondering, my professor was not an anti-supernaturalist and didn’t have any sort of problem believing that members of the animal kingdom would be directed to aid Elijah.
     
    #3 Baptist Believer, Jul 20, 2003
  4. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    1Kgs.17:4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
    [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.

    There are 5 references to the word "raven" in the Bible, all seem to be referring to the bird raven. I have never heard of any tribe that had black tents before. Not saying that it isn't possible. But the Bible doesn't seem to support this. ;)
     
    #4 Wisdom Seeker, Jul 23, 2003
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    "When the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense."

    I have never come across that idea. Not saying that it is impossible, but far-fetched.

    There are other Hebrew words for black-skinned people (Negro) had it just been a group of black people who helped.
     
    #5 Dr. Bob, Jul 24, 2003
  6. Tim

    Tim New Member

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    In such a straightforward narrative account as this, there seems to be no reason to figure that the Hebrew word means anything other than what it means other places in the O.T.--a raven.

    But there may be some symbolism connected to the account. Ravens are generally associated with death and judgement in the scripture. So God fed Elijah by ravens during the time of judgement upon the nation of Israel. Even in judgement, God showed mercy upon His faithful servant.
     
    #6 Tim, Jul 25, 2003
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