Published: 2023-05-24

The water motif in the Elijah cycle (1 Kgs 17 – 2 Kgs 2)

Kacper Józefczyk
Scriptura Sacra
Section: Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/ScrS/5038

Abstract

In the story of Elijah, the significant role of water has not been very well appreciated. Its material scarcity forms the backdrop of the activity and message of the prophet from Tishbe. The purpose of this study was to present the water motif found in the Elijah cycle in selected pericopes: 1 Kings 17:1-16; 18:1-5.20-46; 2 Kings 2:1-18.
The study uses mainly from the achievements of the historical-critical method. This method tries to find the answer to the question of what the inspired author wanted to say in a given place and time. However, it has its limitations, so it was enriched in this study with other forms of literary analysis of biblical texts: rhetorical, narrative and comparative.
The results indicated the importance of the water motif for the entirety of the prophet Elijah’s message and mission. It is a constitutive element for the entire cycle. The lack of water and the drought caused by it is the main axis of chapters 17 and 18 of the First Book of Kings.

Keywords:

Prophet Elijah, water motif, Yahwism, Baal, Books of Kings

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Citation rules

Józefczyk, K. (2023). The water motif in the Elijah cycle (1 Kgs 17 – 2 Kgs 2). Scriptura Sacra, (26). https://doi.org/10.25167/ScrS/5038

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