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Elijah אֵלִיָּה

Male H0452G 10 books

A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah.

Who is Elijah in the Bible?

Elijah was a prominent prophet in Israel during the reigns of King Ahab and his son Ahaziah, whose life is recorded primarily in 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2. He is known for performing extraordinary miracles, including calling down fire from heaven to consume offerings on Mount Carmel and exposing the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Elijah also boldly confronted kings and queens for their wickedness, such as his denunciation of Ahab and Jezebel over the murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21). Rather than experience death, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, passing his prophetic mantle to his successor Elisha (2 Kings 2:11). His significance extends to Jewish and Christian tradition, where he symbolizes the power of God's word and the restoration of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Biography

Elijah was a prominent prophet in Israel during the reigns of King Ahab and his son Ahaziah (1Ki.17-2Ki.2). He is introduced as a Tishbite from Gilead, who proclaimed a drought in Israel as a judgment from God (1Ki.17.1). During the drought, God miraculously provided for Elijah through ravens and a widow in Zarephath (1Ki.17.2-16). Elijah famously confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, demonstrating the power of the true God and exposing the false prophets (1Ki.18). He also confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel for their wickedness, particularly in the case of Naboth's vineyard (1Ki.21). Elijah anointed Elisha as his successor and was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving behind his mantle for Elisha (2Ki.2). He is mentioned in the New Testament as a forerunner to John the Baptist (Mat.11.14; Luk.1.17) and as appearing with Moses at Jesus' transfiguration (Mat.17.3-4; Mrk.9.4-5; Luk.9.30-33). Elijah is also referenced as an example of powerful prayer (Jas.5.17-18) and as a prophet whom God had preserved a remnant of faithful Israelites (Rom.11.2-4). The prophet Malachi foretold that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (Mal.4.5-6).

In Scripture

10 biblical books ; 6 with study content
1 Kings 5 verses
  • 1 Kings 17:1

    "Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”"

  • 1 Kings 17:13

    "“Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son,"

  • 1 Kings 17:15

    "So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household."

  • 1 Kings 17:16

    "The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah."

  • 1 Kings 17:18

    "“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”"

2 Kings 5 verses
  • 2 Kings 1:3

    "But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’"

  • 2 Kings 1:4

    "Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed."

  • 2 Kings 1:8

    "“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king."

  • 2 Kings 1:10

    "Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men."

  • 2 Kings 1:12

    "Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew אֵלִיָּה ʾēliyāh Elijah , the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
Greek Greek Ἡλίας Hēlías Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite
(same form as previous) Greek Ἡλίας Hēlías Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite