Elijah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Elijah in the Bible?
Elijah, identified in the biblical text as 'Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead,' is a major prophetic figure in the northern Kingdom of Israel known for confronting the worship of Baal, initiating a period of drought, and being taken to heaven in a whirlwind.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Elijah's narrative provides essential context for the political and religious tensions of the 9th century BCE, illustrating the struggle for religious exclusivity in ancient Israel and establishing a prophetic archetype that influences later biblical literature and Jewish messianic expectations.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Elijah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Elijah clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.