Fear not: Good News Translation says “Don’t worry.” While the emotions of fear and worry are not identical, the intent of the command here is to calm the anxieties of the woman and let her know that “Everything will be fine” (Contemporary English Version).

But first make me a little cake of it is literally “only make me from there a little cake first.” The prophet insists that the woman go ahead with her plan to prepare a meal for herself and her son. But before doing so, he asks that she first bake a small loaf for him. The reason for this seemingly selfish request will be given in the verse that follows.

The Hebrew noun rendered cake (also in 1 Kgs 19.6) refers to a flat, round loaf baked on a hot stone or on hot coals. Translators should avoid giving the impression of a light, sweet dessert-type cake since this loaf contained no sugar. Compare Gen 18.6 and Exo 12.39.

Afterward make for yourself and your son: Revised Standard Version follows the form of the Hebrew by having no object after the verb make. But the Revised Standard Version translation is not natural English, so New Revised Standard Version says “make something.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .