Elijah
Prophet from Gilead who opposed the worship of Baal under Ahab and Jezebel. Kings says he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Malachi promises his return, and the Gospels link that promise to John the Baptist.
Elijah the Tishbite appears without introduction in the reign of Ahab, announcing a drought (1 Kings 17:1). Kings tells of his stay with the widow of Zarephath, the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and his flight to Horeb (1 Kings 17:8–19:18); see Elijah on Mount Carmel. He condemned Ahab and Jezebel for the judicial murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:17–24) and foretold the death of Ahab’s son Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:2–4, 17). At the Jordan, the account says, he was carried up to heaven in a whirlwind, leaving Elisha as his successor (2 Kings 2:1–14); see Elisha Succeeds Elijah.
Malachi closes with the promise that Elijah will be sent before the day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5–6). In the Gospels Jesus says of John the Baptist that he is the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:13–14; 17:10–13), though John himself, when asked, says he is not Elijah (John 1:21). Elijah appears with Moses at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–3), and James holds up his prayer as an example (James 5:17–18).
In the timeline
- about 860 BC, traditional dateElijah on Mount Carmel
During a long drought the prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, whom King Ahab and Queen Jezebel support, to a contest on Mount Carmel. Kings tells of fire from heaven, the people’s return to the Lord, and Elijah’s flight to Horeb.
- about 850 BC, traditional dateElisha Succeeds Elijah
Elijah and his disciple Elisha cross the Jordan near Jericho. Kings says that Elijah is carried up to heaven in a whirlwind and that Elisha, taking up his master’s cloak, returns as the prophet in his place.