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Zarephath

Historical Location
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A Phoenician town where Elijah was fed by a widow during a famine

Detailed Definition
Zarephath (or Sarepta) is where Elijah performed miracles for a Gentile widow (1 Kings 17), prefiguring Jesus’ ministry to outsiders. It symbolizes unexpected provision and cross-cultural grace. In poetry, Zarephath represents divine care in obscurity and the breaking of ethnic barriers—often used to affirm that mercy flows beyond chosen boundaries.
Example
Example in poetry:
In 1 Kings 17, Zarephath is where Elijah is fed by a widow, a poetic miracle of provision; The prophet Jesus references Zarephath to highlight faith beyond Israel (Luke 4:26); Modern Lebanese poets reclaim Zarephath (Sarepta) as coastal heritage; In liturgical verse, Zarephath symbolizes unexpected hospitality and divine care; Contemporary poetry uses Zarephath to explore cross-cultural compassion and survival.
Additional Notes
Zarephath (Sarepta), where Elijah was fed by a widow (1 Kings 17), symbolizes cross-cultural compassion and divine provision. Jesus references it to highlight Gentile faith (Luke 4:26). Modern Lebanese poets reclaim it as coastal heritage. Students should note its location between Sidon and Tyre.
Also Known As
Sarepta Sidonian Village Widow’s Town Elijah’s Refuge
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