Zarephath

Zarephath is a biblical place name that also appears in modern toponymy. In the Hebrew Bible, Zarephath (often rendered Sarepta) is described as a Phoenician town in the region of Sidon, on the Mediterranean coast. The prophet Elijah, fleeing King Ahab's persecution, is said to have stayed in the house of a widow at Zarephath, where she provided him food during a famine. According to the narrative, the widow's jar of meal and its oil did not run out, sustaining Elijah and her household. When the widow's son fell ill and died, Elijah prayed to God, and the boy was brought back to life, a miracle that confirmed Elijah's prophetic mission to the widow and her household.

Identification and geography: The precise location of Zarephath is not certain. Traditional identification places it near Sidon in present-day Lebanon, possibly at Sarepta. In some biblical translations the term may reflect a craft center or a place associated with refining metals, though the exact etymology remains debated.

Modern usage: The name Zarephath has been adopted by places in the contemporary world. It is the name of a small community in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States, where the biblical toponym has influenced local naming. The designation is primarily used in local geographic and historical contexts.

See also: Sarepta.