Topical Bible: Elias

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Introduction:
Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, a prominent prophet in the Old Testament. He is a significant figure in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, where he is often referenced as a symbol of prophetic authority and divine power.

Old Testament Background:
Elias, or Elijah, first appears in 1 Kings 17 during the reign of King Ahab in Israel. He is introduced as a Tishbite from Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River. Elijah's ministry is marked by his staunch opposition to the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, which had been promoted by Ahab and his wife Jezebel.

Key Events in Elijah's Life:

1. Drought Prediction:
Elijah's first recorded act is to declare a drought upon Israel as a judgment from God for their idolatry (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasts for three and a half years, demonstrating God's power over nature and His authority over false gods.

2. Miracles and Provision:
During the drought, Elijah is miraculously fed by ravens at the Brook Cherith and later by a widow in Zarephath, whose jar of flour and jug of oil do not run dry (1 Kings 17:2-16). He also raises the widow's son from the dead, showcasing God's power to give life (1 Kings 17:17-24).

3. Mount Carmel:
One of the most dramatic events in Elijah's life occurs on Mount Carmel, where he challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to prove whose deity is the true God. Elijah's prayer results in fire from heaven consuming his sacrifice, leading the people to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:20-39).

4. Encounter with God:
After fleeing from Jezebel's wrath, Elijah experiences a profound encounter with God at Mount Horeb. Here, God reveals Himself not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper, reaffirming His presence and guidance (1 Kings 19:9-13).

5. Passing the Mantle:
Elijah is instructed by God to anoint Elisha as his successor. This transition is marked by Elijah casting his cloak upon Elisha, symbolizing the transfer of prophetic authority (1 Kings 19:19-21).

6. Ascension to Heaven:
Elijah's earthly ministry concludes with his ascension to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot of fire. This event is witnessed by Elisha, who receives a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:1-14).

New Testament References:

1. John the Baptist:
Elijah is often associated with John the Baptist, who is described as coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself identifies John as the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:14).

2. Transfiguration:
Elijah appears alongside Moses during the Transfiguration of Jesus, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to Christ (Matthew 17:1-3).

3. James' Epistle:
The Epistle of James highlights Elijah's fervent prayer life, noting that he "prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years" (James 5:17).

Theological Significance:
Elias, or Elijah, is a figure of immense theological importance, representing the power of prayer, the call to repentance, and the unwavering commitment to the worship of the one true God. His life and ministry serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness, and his role in the New Testament underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the ages.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Elias

same as Elijah

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The Greek form of Elijah (Matthew 11:14; 16:14, etc.), which the Revised Version has uniformly adopted in the New Testament. (see ELIJAH.)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ELIAS

e-li'-as.

See ELIJAH.

Greek

2243. Elias -- Elijah, an Israelite prophet
... 2242, 2243. Elias. 2244 . ... prophet NASB Word Usage Elijah (29). Elias. Of Hebrew
origin ('Eliyah); Helias (ie Elijah), an Israelite -- Elias. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2243.htm - 6k

Library

To the Learned Elias.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, X. To the Learned Elias. Legislators
have made laws in aid of the oppressed, and advocates have ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/x to the learned elias.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... XVII. The Spirit and Power of Elias. (Luke 1:17.) "Oh, may I join the choir
invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

Elias a Forerunner of Messiah. (Matt. , xvii. , 10-13. )
... CHAPTER X. JESUS IN NORTH GALILEE, AND ON THE WAY TO CESAREA PHILIPPI. Section
186. Elias a Forerunner of Messiah. (Matt., xvii., 10-13.). ...
/.../section 186 elias a forerunner.htm

Of the Coming of Elias Before the Judgment, that the Jews May be ...
... Book XX. Chapter 29."Of the Coming of Elias Before the Judgment, that the Jews May
Be Converted to Christ by His Preaching and Explanation of Scripture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the coming of.htm

Letter Xciv. To Elias, Governor of the Province.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter XCIV. To Elias,
Governor of the Province. I too have been very anxious ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xciv to elias governor.htm

How it was Revealed to St Francis that Brother Elias was Damned ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XXXVIII HOW IT
WAS REVEALED TO ST FRANCIS THAT BROTHER ELIAS WAS DAMNED AND WAS TO DIE OUT OF ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxxviii how it was.htm

How the Angel of God Put a Question to Brother Elias, Guardian of ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER IV HOW THE ANGEL
OF GOD PUT A QUESTION TO BROTHER ELIAS, GUARDIAN OF VAL DI SPOLETO, AND HOW ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iv how the angel.htm

This, I Believe, Makes the Greatness of the Prophet Elias...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter VI. This, I believe, makes the greatness
of the prophet Elias? This, I believe, makes the greatness ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter vi this i believe.htm

Of the Manifestation which the Lord Made of Himself, in Company ...
... Chapter LVI."Of the Manifestation Which the Lord Made of Himself, in Company with
Moses and Elias, to His Disciples on the Mountain; And of the Question ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lvi of the manifestation which.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished at this Period in Egypt. John, or ...
... Period in Egypt. John, or Amon, Benus, Theonas, Copres, Helles, Elias, Apelles,
Isidore, Serapion, Dioscorus, and Eulogius. As this ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxviii of the holy men.htm

Thesaurus

Elias (30 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELIAS. e-li'-as. ...Elias (30 Occurrences). Matthew
11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. (KJV DBY). ...
/e/elias.htm - 15k

Tabernacles (43 Occurrences)
... and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ...
/t/tabernacles.htm - 21k

Carmel (33 Occurrences)
... St. Elias, from the Convent of Elias. (2 ... Esdraelon. On the top of the promontory,
at a height of 500 ft. the monastery of Elias stands. From ...
/c/carmel.htm - 25k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... (1.) "The Tishbite," the "Elias" of the New Testament, is suddenly introduced to
our notice in 1 Kings 17:1 as delivering a message from the Lord to Ahab. ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Answering (202 Occurrences)
... be here. If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles: for thee one,
and for Moses one, and one for Elias. (DBY YLT). Matthew ...
/a/answering.htm - 34k

Quotations
... 2:26) refers to 1 Samuel 21:1-6, in the words, "in the days of Abiathar;" and Paul
(Romans 11:2) refers to 1 Kings 17-19, in the words, "in Elias", ie, in the ...
/q/quotations.htm - 40k

Lama (2 Occurrences)
... have sufficient similarity to each other and each sufficient similarity to the name
itself to warrant the jeer that Jesus was calling upon Elias, or the ...
/l/lama.htm - 9k

Listed (48 Occurrences)
... Listed (48 Occurrences). Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already,
and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. ...
/l/listed.htm - 21k

Eloi (2 Occurrences)
... have sufficient similarity to each other and each sufficient similarity to the name
itself to warrant the jeer that Jesus was calling upon Elias, or the ...
/e/eloi.htm - 9k

Calls (62 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 27:47 And some of those who stood there, when they
heard it, said, This man calls for Elias. (DBY). Mark 3:13 ...
/c/calls.htm - 23k

Resources

Who was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How did Elijah send a letter to King Jehoram, if Elijah had already been taken to heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Why must Elijah return before the end times (Malachi 4:5-6)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Elias (30 Occurrences)

Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 16:14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 17:3
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 17:4
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 17:10
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 17:11
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 17:12
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 27:47
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
(KJV DBY)

Matthew 27:49
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 6:15
Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 8:28
And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:4
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:5
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:11
And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:12
And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 9:13
But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 15:35
And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
(KJV DBY)

Mark 15:36
And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 1:17
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 4:25
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
(KJV DBY)

Luke 4:26
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 9:8
And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 9:19
They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 9:30
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
(KJV DBY)

Luke 9:33
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
(KJV DBY)

Luke 9:54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
(KJV DBY)

John 1:21
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
(KJV DBY)

John 1:25
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
(KJV DBY)

Romans 11:2
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
(KJV DBY)

James 5:17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
(KJV DBY)

Subtopics

Elias

Related Terms

Eli'asaph (6 Occurrences)

Reuel (14 Occurrences)

Deuel (5 Occurrences)

Deu'el (4 Occurrences)

Leader (183 Occurrences)

Gad (78 Occurrences)

Lael (1 Occurrence)

Elias (30 Occurrences)

Prince (160 Occurrences)