כְּרִית (ke.rit)
ke.rit
Cherith
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun Kerith, meaning "cutting," refers to a specific stream mentioned in 1 Kings 17:3-5. It is the place where the prophet Elijah was commanded by God to hide during the early stages of a severe drought. The text describes him drinking from the brook while ravens brought him bread and meat, marking a period of divine provision in isolation.
The name itself likely reflects the physical nature of the waterway, perhaps indicating a stream that carved its path through rock or was cut into the landscape by seasonal floods. This etymology aligns with the harsh, arid environment of the region east of the Jordan River, where such natural features would be prominent landmarks for those traveling on foot.
Although the word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its significance lies in its role as a setting for Elijah’s sustenance. The location serves as a tangible reminder of God’s care for His prophets even in desolate places, grounding the narrative in a real geographical context rather than an abstract spiritual concept.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Cherith means "cutting," likely describing a stream carved into the rocky landscape east of the Jordan. This setting was not chosen for its comfort, but as a place of hiding and dependence. God directed Elijah to this specific location during a time of severe drought, removing him from public ministry and placing him in a desolate environment where his survival depended entirely on divine provision.
In 1 Kings 17:3, the command is clear: "hide yourself by the brook Cherith." This was a season of isolation, yet it was also a season of care. Ravens brought Elijah bread and meat, showing that God’s provision often comes in unexpected ways. The harshness of the location highlights the gentleness of the Provider. It reminds us that even when we feel hidden or cut off from the world, we are still seen and sustained by God.
For your own life, this word offers a quiet assurance. There may be seasons where you feel removed from the main flow of activity, perhaps feeling like you are in a spiritual desert. Cherith suggests that these times are not signs of abandonment. Instead, they can be places where God focuses on sustaining you directly. The brook dried up eventually, but the care received there was real and necessary for Elijah’s next step. Trust that your current season, however dry it may seem, is held by the same God who fed the prophet.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kerith2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּרִ֔ית2×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 17:3
“Go away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan.
This verse establishes Cherith as the specific location of divine hiding and the starting point for Elijah's period of sustenance by ravens.
-
I Kings 17:5
So he went and did according to Yahweh’s word, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan.
This occurrence confirms Elijah’s obedience to stay at this remote brook, emphasizing that his survival was tied directly to God's word rather than human resources.