Lexical Summary Elias: Elijah Original Word: Ἠλίας Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elias. Of Hebrew origin ('Eliyah); Helias (i.e. Elijah), an Israelite -- Elias. see HEBREW 'Eliyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Eliyyah Definition Elijah, an Isr. prophet NASB Translation Elijah (29). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2243: ἨλιάςἨλιάς ((so Rst elz G; WH Ἠλείας cf. WHs Appendix, p. 155; Tdf. Proleg., p. 84 and see εἰ, ἰ, but) L Tr Ἡλιάς, Tdf. Ἡλείας (on the breathing in manuscripts see Tdf. Proleg., p. 107; WH. Introductory § 408; current edd, are not uniform)), ἡλίου (Buttmann, 17 (16), 8; but once (viz. Luke 1:17 T Tr marginal reading WH) Ἠλίᾳ), ὁ (אֵלִיָּה or אֵלִיָּהוּ i. e. either 'strength of Jehovah' or 'my God is Jehovah'), Elijah, a prophet born at Thisbe (but see B. D. under the word, also under the word Topical Lexicon Identity and SignificanceἨλίας is the Greek spelling of the Old Testament prophet Elijah, a towering figure of the ninth century B.C. whose zeal for the covenant, miracles, and translation to heaven made him the prototype of eschatological expectation. In the New Testament his name recurs twenty-nine times, each occurrence reinforcing facets of that prophetic legacy and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His forerunner. Historical Background of Elijah Elijah’s ministry confronted rampant Baal worship under Ahab and Jezebel, called fire down from heaven on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), announced a three-and-a-half-year drought (1 Kings 17; echoed in James 5:17), and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2). These events fixed Elijah in Israel’s memory as the prophet who would one day reappear to herald the Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5–6). Second Temple Expectation By the first century the return of Elijah had become a widespread hope (Matthew 16:14; Mark 8:28; Luke 9:19). Jews looked for him at Passover, connected him with messianic deliverance, and expected him to settle disputes as the “restorer of all things.” This expectation forms the backdrop of every New Testament mention. Elijah and John the Baptist Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the one who came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) and declares, “Elijah has already come” (Matthew 17:12). Yet He also affirms a future coming: “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things” (Matthew 17:11). John fulfilled Malachi typologically; the ultimate eschatological role awaits the end of the age, preserving both prophecy and chronology. Public Speculation about Jesus Crowds likened Jesus to Elijah because of His miracles and authority (Matthew 16:14; Mark 6:15; Luke 9:8). The mistaken conclusion underscores Elijah’s stature: to compare Jesus with Elijah was to place Him among Israel’s greatest prophets, yet still fall short of recognizing Him as the Messiah. The Transfiguration On the mountain “Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:3). Elijah’s presence alongside Moses testifies to the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to the Son. His departure in a whirlwind without tasting death also anticipates the glorified state believers will share (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Teaching Concerning Suffering After the Transfiguration, the disciples ask about Elijah. Jesus answers by linking the prophet’s prior rejection to His own approaching sacrifice (Mark 9:12–13). The pattern is instructive: prophetic ministry is met with opposition before vindication. Misunderstanding at the Cross When Jesus cried, “Eloi, Eloi,” bystanders said, “Listen, He is calling Elijah!” (Mark 15:35). Their mishearing highlights persistent popular longing for Elijah’s intervention while ironically missing the very redemption Elijah foreshadowed. Elijah in Luke 4 Jesus cites Elijah’s visit to the widow of Zarephath (Luke 4:25–26) to illustrate God’s grace toward Gentiles and to expose Israel’s unbelief—an application consistent with Elijah’s original ministry to a faithful remnant amid national apostasy. Paul’s Appeal to Elijah Romans 11:2–4 uses Elijah’s despair (“I am the only one left”) to prove that God preserves a remnant: “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Paul draws a direct line from Elijah’s day to the present, defending God’s faithfulness to Israel. Elijah as Model of Prayer “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain…” (James 5:17–18). James chooses Elijah to encourage believers in effective, righteous prayer, balancing the prophet’s extraordinary results with his shared human nature. Eschatological Horizon Revelation’s two witnesses (Revelation 11) bear striking resemblance to Elijah’s miracles (fire, drought). While unnamed, these links echo Jesus’ statement that Elijah “will” come, pointing to a future prophetic ministry before the consummation. Theological Themes • Covenant fidelity versus idolatry Practical Application Believers are called to Elijah-like courage in confronting falsehood, perseverance in prayer, and confidence in God’s redemptive plan. Elijah’s appearances across the Testaments remind the Church that the God who answered with fire still answers prayer, preserves His people, and will ultimately restore all things through Christ. Forms and Transliterations Ηλεια Ἠλεία Ἠλείᾳ Ηλειαν Ἠλείαν Ηλειας Ἠλείας Ἠλίᾳ Ἠλίαν Ἠλίας Ἠλίου elia Ēlia elíāi Ēlíāi elian elían Ēlian Ēlían elias elías Ēlias Ēlías eliou elíou Ēliou ĒlíouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:14 N-NMSGRK: αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων NAS: [it], John himself is Elijah who was to come. KJV: [it], this is Elias, which was for INT: he is Elijah who is about Matthew 16:14 N-AMS Matthew 17:3 N-NMS Matthew 17:4 N-DMS Matthew 17:10 N-AMS Matthew 17:11 N-NMS Matthew 17:12 N-NMS Matthew 27:47 N-AMS Matthew 27:49 N-NMS Mark 6:15 N-NMS Mark 8:28 N-AMS Mark 9:4 N-NMS Mark 9:5 N-DMS Mark 9:11 N-AMS Mark 9:12 N-NMS Mark 9:13 N-NMS Mark 15:35 N-AMS Mark 15:36 N-NMS Luke 1:17 N-GMS Luke 4:25 N-GMS Luke 4:26 N-NMS Luke 9:8 N-NMS Luke 9:19 N-AMS Luke 9:30 N-NMS Luke 9:33 N-DMS Strong's Greek 2243 |
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