After a while is literally “at the end of days.” The precise length of time is not stated, but it was clearly more than a few minutes. In Hebrew this verse actually begins with the verbal transition meaning “And it happened,” which in itself probably indicates that a considerable amount of time had elapsed. The Hebrew expression by itself may refer to a few days only or a period as long as one year. According to 1 Kgs 18.1, Elijah’s time at Cherith Brook and in Zarephath amounted to at least a couple of years.

Because there was no rain in the land: Good News Translation omits the words in the land, leaving that information implicit in English. New Jerusalem Bible says “for the country had had no rain.” Of course, the land or “country” referred to is Israel.

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 .