The term "Tishbite" is primarily associated with the prophet Elijah, one of the most significant figures in the Old Testament. Elijah is introduced in 1 Kings 17:1 as "Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead." This designation provides both a geographical and cultural context for understanding Elijah's origins and his role as a prophet in Israel.

Geographical Context

Tishbe, the place from which Elijah hails, is located in the region of Gilead. Gilead is a mountainous area east of the Jordan River, known for its rugged terrain and pastoral lifestyle. The exact location of Tishbe is not definitively known, but it is traditionally believed to be in the northern part of Gilead. This region was part of the tribal inheritance of Manasseh, one of the tribes of Israel. The reference to Elijah as a Tishbite emphasizes his connection to this area, which was somewhat removed from the political and religious centers of Israel, such as Samaria and Jerusalem.

Cultural and Historical Context

Elijah's identification as a Tishbite may also imply certain cultural characteristics. Gilead was known for its independent spirit and resilience, traits that are reflected in Elijah's prophetic ministry. As a Tishbite, Elijah would have been familiar with the challenges of living in a frontier region, which may have contributed to his boldness and determination in confronting the idolatry and apostasy of Israel under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

Prophetic Ministry

Elijah's ministry as a prophet is marked by his unwavering commitment to the worship of Yahweh and his opposition to the worship of Baal, which had been promoted by the royal house. His Tishbite identity underscores his role as an outsider who challenges the status quo and calls the people of Israel back to covenant faithfulness. Elijah's prophetic actions, such as the declaration of drought (1 Kings 17:1), the contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40), and his encounters with Ahab and Jezebel, highlight his role as a divine messenger and reformer.

Theological Significance

Theologically, Elijah the Tishbite is a precursor to the New Testament figure of John the Baptist, who is described as coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Elijah's life and ministry foreshadow the coming of the Messiah and the call to repentance. His ascension into heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11) further cements his status as a pivotal figure in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the hope of divine intervention and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes.

Legacy

Elijah's legacy as the Tishbite endures in both Jewish and Christian traditions. In Jewish thought, Elijah is expected to return as a forerunner of the Messiah, a belief reflected in the Passover Seder with the cup of Elijah. In Christian theology, Elijah's role as a prophet who prepares the way for the Lord is fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ.

In summary, the designation "Tishbite" is integral to understanding Elijah's identity, mission, and impact within the biblical narrative. His life exemplifies the call to faithfulness and the power of prophetic witness in the face of spiritual and moral decline.The Tishbite

the well-known designation of Elijah. (1 Kings 17:1; 21:17,28; 2 Kings 1:3,8; 9:36) The name naturally points to a place called Tishbeh, Tishbi, or rather perhaps Tesheb, as the residence of the prophet. Assuming that a town is alluded to as Elijah's native place, it is not necessary to infer that it was itself in Gilead, as many have imagined. The commentators and lexicographers, with few exceptions, adopt the name "Tishbite" as referring to the place Thisbe in Naphtali which is found in the Septuagint text of Tobit 1:2.

8664. Tishbiy -- Tishbite
... 8663, 8664. Tishbiy. 8664a . Tishbite. Transliteration: Tishbiy Phonetic
Spelling: (tish-bee') Short Definition: Tishbite. Tishbite ...
/hebrew/8664.htm - 5k

8664a. Tishbeh -- Tishbite
... 8664, 8664a. Tishbeh. 8664b . Tishbite. Transliteration: Tishbeh Short Definition:
Tishbite. Word Origin another reading for Tishbi, qv. 8664, 8664a. ...
/hebrew/8664a.htm - 5k

8664b. Tishbi -- inhabitant of Tishbeh
... inhabitant of Tishbeh. Transliteration: Tishbi Short Definition: Tishbite. Word
Origin from Tishbeh Definition inhab. of Tishbeh NASB Word Usage Tishbite (6). ...
/hebrew/8664b.htm - 5k

Elijah the Tishbite
... Prophets of the Northern Kingdom Chapter 9 Elijah the Tishbite. [This chapter
is based on 1 Kings 17:1-7.] Among the mountains of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

Matt. xvii. 10
... come;" so calling John. In this sense Elias is come: but if thou wouldest
seek the Tishbite, he is coming. Wherefore also He said ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvii matt xvii 10.htm

A Prophet's Strange Providers
... 'And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead ... 'Among them that are
born of women there hath not arisen a greater than' Elijah the Tishbite. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a prophets strange providers.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... The king was not allowed to enjoy unrebuked that which he had gained by fraud and
bloodshed. "The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,
As the Lord God of Israel liveth ... And the King said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.". ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

"The Spirit and Power of Elijah" --Not the Soul --Were in the ...
... But some one might ask, if the soul of Elijah was not first in the Tishbite and
secondly in John, what might that be in both which the Saviour called Elijah? ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/2 the spirit and power.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... them. I. LET US INSTITUTE A COMPARISON BETWEEN ELIJAH THE TISHBITE, AND
JOHN THE BAPTIST."They resembled each other in dress. We ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

From the Seventh Chapter.
... read that these things are predicted in the opening of the Old and New Testament;
for He says by Malachi: "Lo, I will send to you Elias the Tishbite, to turn ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the seventh chapter.htm

The General Service of the Holy Fathers, in Remembrance of ...
... substances; wherefore the God-bearing fathers having in their zeal come together
and moved by the flame of the fervour, just as Elijah the Tishbite did cut ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v1 the general service.htm

Elijah Fed by Ravens.
... God was displeased with King Ahab, and sent His prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, to
say unto him, "As the Lord God of Israel liveth there shall not be dew nor ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/elijah fed by ravens.htm

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