Bible Dictionary
Cherith, The Brook
The Brook of Cherith was Elijah’s temporary refuge east of the Jordan during the drought. Scripture says that ravens supplied him with food while he remained there.
Definition
The Brook of Cherith was the torrent-bed or seasonal stream where Elijah hid after announcing the drought to Ahab. It served as his temporary refuge and was later dried up by the continuing drought.
Biblical Usage
Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens while he remained at the brook of Cherith. The place is described as being before, or east of, Jordan.
Historical Background
The supplied material rejects identifying the brook with Wady el-Kelt west of Jericho and favors a recess in the Gilead uplands east of Jordan, a region with which Elijah was familiar.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(cutting, ravine), the torrent-bed or wady in which Elijah hid himself during the early part of the three-years drought. (1 Kings 17:3,5) The position of the Cherith has been much disputed. The argument from probability is in favor of the Cherith being on the east of Jordan, and the name may possibly be discovered there.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ke'-rith (nachal kerith; Cheimarrhous Chorrhath): The place where Elijah hid and was miraculously fed, after announcing the drought to Ahab (1Ki 17:3). It is described as being "before," that is "east," of Jordan. It cannot therefore be identified with Wady el-Kelt, to the West of Jericho. The retreat must be sought in some recess of the Gilead uplands with which doubtless Elijah had been familiar in his earlier days.</p>