The word of the LORD came to Elijah: This expression reflects a common Old Testament idiom, which means that the person, usually a prophet, has received a message from God (see the comments on 1 Kgs 6.11). In many languages it will not be natural to say that a word “comes” to someone. Compare “the LORD said to Elijah” (Good News Translation, New American Bible).

The Tishbite: See the comments on 1 Kgs 17.1. Since this is the first mention of Elijah in this chapter, some translations also identify him as “the prophet” (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).

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 .