Possible meanings are 1) this refers to the descendants of the exiles taken to Assyria from the northern kingdom of Israel or 2) this refers to the descendants of the people of Judah who lived outside of Jerusalem and were taken to exile in Babylon.
Zarephath was a Phoenician city north of Israel on the coast of the Mediterranean between Tyre and Sidon. Alternate translation: "as far north as Zarephath" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
This group is contrasted with either the descendants of the Israelites from the northern kingdom, or with the descendants of the people of Judah who lived outside of Jerusalem.
This is the name of a place whose location is unknown. Some experts suggest it refers to the city of Sardis in the region of Lydia. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])