Lexical Definition
אֵלִיָּה ʼÊlîyâh (ay-lee-yaw') Elijah N:N-M-P
or prolonged אֵלִיָּהוּ ʼÊlîyâhûw (aylee-yaw'-hoo); from אֵל and יָהּ; God of Jehovah
Elijah, Eliah.
- § Elijah or Eliah = "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God"
- Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
1) the great prophet of the reign of Ahab
2) Benjamite son of Jeroham
3) a son of Elam with foreign wife during exile
4) a son of Harim, and priest, with foreign wife during exile
See Greek: Ἡλίας
Extended Information
- A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.17.1
- Also named: Hēlias (Ἡλίας "Elijah" Ἡλίας)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֵלִיָּה 2Kgs 1:3 + 4 t.; אֵלִיָּ֫הוּ 1Kgs 17:1 + 62 t.; proper name, masculine (Yah(u) is God, compare יוֺאֵל)
a. Elijah, the great prophet of the reign of Ahab 1Kgs 17:1 + 65 t. Kings; 2Chr 21:12; Mal 3:23*.
b. Benjamite 1Chr 8:27
c. a priest of Ezra's time Ezra 10:21
c. a son of Elam Ezra 10:26.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Kings | 17:1 |
| 2 Kings | 1:3 |
| 1 Chronicles | 8:27 |
| 2 Chronicles | 21:12 |
| Ezra | 10:21 · 10:26 |
| Malachi | 3:23* |
Profile
Male • A prophet • A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah.
Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Elijah was a prominent prophet in Israel during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah, known for his miracles and confrontations with the prophets of Baal (1Ki.17-2Ki.2).
- A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.17.1;
- referred to as Elijah אֵלִיָּה, or [ ] (KJV= Elias) or Elijah Ἡλίας.
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).