Elijah

the prophet of the fiery chariot

Who was Elijah?

A prophet from Tishbe in Gilead. He announced a drought, and on Mount Carmel he showed that the Lord is God. 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:36-39
He called Elisha to be his successor. He went up to heaven in a whirlwind, with a chariot of fire. 1 Kings 19:16, 19; 2 Kings 2:11
He appeared with Moses, talking with Jesus, at the Transfiguration. Jesus said that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come. Matthew 17:3; Matthew 11:14

The name: His name means “The Lord is my God.” Catechism 2582; NAB note on 1 Re 17, 1
Also called: Elijah the Tishbite 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 1:8 · Man of God 1 Kings 17:24
From: From Tishbe, in Gilead 1 Kings 17:1
Occupation: Prophet 1 Kings 18:36
Feast day: July 20: Saint Elijah, prophet

What the Bible says

1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:36-39

And Elias the Thesbite of the inhabitants of Galaad said to Achab: As the Lord liveth the God of Israel, in whose sight I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to the words of my mouth.

1 Kings 19:16, 19; 2 Kings 2:11

¹⁶And thou shalt anoint Jehu the son of Namsi to be king over Israel: and Eliseus the son of Saphat, of Abelmeula, thou shalt anoint to be prophet in thy room. ¹⁹And Elias departing from thence, found Eliseus the son of Saphat, ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and he was one of them that were ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen: and when Elias came up to him, he cast his mantle upon him.

Matthew 17:3; Matthew 11:14

And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Elijah

Before Jesus. Elijah told King Ahab that there would be no rain or dew until he said so. 1 Kings 17:1
Before Jesus. At the Lord’s command he hid beside the Wadi Cherith. Ravens brought him bread and meat. 1 Kings 17:3-6
Before Jesus. In Zarephath, a widow shared her last handful of flour with him, and the flour did not run out. Later Elijah prayed, and the widow’s son came back to life. 1 Kings 17:9-16, 22
With Jesus. On Mount Carmel he challenged the prophets of Baal, the god Jezebel worshiped. Elijah prayed, fire came down from heaven, and the people said that the Lord is God. 1 Kings 16:31; 1 Kings 18:19-24, 36-39
With Jesus. Then he had the prophets of Baal seized and killed them. He prayed on the top of Carmel, and a heavy rain came. 1 Kings 18:40, 42-45
With Jesus. Threatened by Queen Jezebel, he fled and asked to die. An angel gave him food, and he walked forty days to Horeb. 1 Kings 19:2-8
Afterward. He threw his cloak over Elisha, and Elisha followed him. Elijah also rebuked King Ahab for the death of Naboth. 1 Kings 19:19-21; 1 Kings 21:17-19
Afterward. With his cloak he parted the water of the Jordan. Then a fiery chariot separated him from Elisha, and he went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:8, 11

Words of Elijah

“As the Lord liveth the God of Israel, in whose sight I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to the words of my mouth.” 1 Kings 17:1

To King Ahab, when he announced the drought.

“How long do you halt between two sides? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21

To all the people, on Mount Carmel.

“Hear me, O Lord, hear me: that this people may learn, that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart again.” 1 Kings 18:37

In his prayer on Carmel, before the fire came down.

“It is enough for me, Lord, take away my soul: for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:4

In the desert, under a juniper tree, when he was fleeing from Jezebel.

“Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” 2 Kings 2:9

To Elisha, after they had crossed the Jordan together.

What they were like

Brave before kings: he spoke plainly to Ahab. 1 Kings 18:17-18; 1 Kings 21:20
A man of prayer: he prayed for the boy, for the fire and for the rain. 1 Kings 17:21; 1 Kings 18:37, 42
He was also afraid: he fled from Jezebel. 1 Kings 19:3

The greatest thing they did

On Carmel, the people said once again that the Lord is God. 1 Kings 18:39
The widow’s son came back to life after Elijah prayed. 1 Kings 17:22

Not to be confused with

John the Baptist: John the Baptist said he was not Elijah. But Jesus said John was the Elijah who was to come: he came with Elijah’s spirit and power. John 1:21; Matthew 11:14; Luke 1:17
Elisha: Elisha was Elijah’s disciple and successor. Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind; Elisha died and was buried. 2 Kings 2:11; 2 Kings 13:20

In the Church today

Feast day: July 20, Saint Elijah, prophet (commemoration (not on the General Roman Calendar or the U.S. calendar)). Roman Martyrology (2004)

In art, recognized by: The fiery chariot From 2 Re 2, 11; this is how Christian art shows him; The raven bringing him bread From 1 Re 17, 6; this is how Christian art shows him

What people ask

Did Elijah die?

The Bible does not tell of his death. It says a fiery chariot separated him from Elisha, and he went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:11

Why did people say Elijah would come back?

The prophet Malachi announced that God would send Elijah before the day of the Lord. Jesus said Elijah had already come, and the disciples understood he was speaking of John the Baptist. Malachi 3:23; Matthew 17:11-13

What happened to the prophets of Baal?

Earlier, Queen Jezebel had had prophets of the Lord killed. After the fire, Elijah had the prophets of Baal seized and killed them beside the Wadi Kishon. 1 Kings 18:4, 40

What happened on Mount Horeb?

A wind, an earthquake and a fire passed by, but the Lord was not in them. Then came a gentle whisper, and Elijah covered his face with his cloak. 1 Kings 19:11-13

Why does Elijah appear at the Transfiguration?

Matthew tells us that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus. The Catechism says the Law and the prophets had announced the sufferings of the Messiah. Matthew 17:3; Catechism 555

His weariness He fled into the desert and asked the Lord to take his life. 1 Kings 19:3-4 He said he was the only one left. The Lord answered that…

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Who Elijah is connected to

Elisha · master and disciple
Jesus · at the Transfiguration · sent to a foreign woman
Moses · together with Jesus
John the Baptist · the Elijah who was to come

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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