Elijah the prophet biography of mahatma

His identity. Nothing is known of his family and little of his geographic origin. The Bible states clearly that he was from Gilead 1 Kings , so he was certainly at some time from Trans-Jordan. The Heb. KB, p. NW of Gerasa. Personal characteristics. Elijah often is regarded as a wilderness dweller, prob. His simple attire and diet did not prevent him from moving in more sophisticated circles, and he had repeated opportunities to address the king in person.

Elijah was a man of great physical endurance; his feat of running before the chariot of Ahab from Mt. Carmel to the entrance of Jezreel demonstrates his excellent physical condition. His unhesitating devotion to the Lord made him a bold spokesman for what is right; he did not turn aside from vigorous denunciation of the actions of the hostile king nor did he cringe before the fanatic opposition of the priests of Baal.

The human side of Elijah is evidenced in his flight from the vindictive Jezebel, when she sent him the message that she would take his life. Elijah was not only an enthusiastic religious leader; he was also an ardent patriot and his energetic service for God was coupled with a sincere concern for the nation of Israel. He also had strong interests in education; he continued the schools of the prophets founded by Samuel and he instructed Elisha in their administration.

When he and Elisha left Jericho to cross the Jordan, fifty of the sons of the prophets accompanied them and stood at some distance from them as the two crossed the river 2 Kings When Elisha returned alone, the group at Jericho insisted that fifty men be sent to look for him vv. His career and mighty works. After making this prediction, he was directed by the Lord to hide himself by the brook Cherith, E of the Jordan, where he was supplied morning and evening with bread and meat carried by ravens.

When the waters of the brook dried up, he was divinely commanded to go to Zarephath in the territory of Sidon, where a widow was to feed him. Zarephath is the Sarepta of NT times cf. The unfailing supplies Ahab accepts this answer with sullen bad grace. Jezebel, however, plots a method for acquiring the land. She sends letters in Ahab's name to the elders and nobles who live near Naboth.

They are to arrange a feast and invite Naboth. At the feast, false charges of cursing God and Ahab are to be made against him. The plot is carried out and Naboth is stoned to death. When word comes that Naboth is dead, Jezebel tells Ahab to take possession of the vineyard. God again speaks to Elijah and sends him to confront Ahab with a question and a prophecy: "Have you killed, and also taken possession?

Elijah responds by throwing the charge back at him, telling him that he has made himself the enemy of God by his own actions. Elijah tells Ahab that his entire kingdom will reject his authority; that Jezebel will be eaten by dogs within Jezreel; and that his family will be consumed by dogs as well if they die in a city or by birds if they die in the country.

When Ahab hears this he repents so sincerely that God stays his hand in punishing Ahab, choosing instead to vent his wrath upon Jezebel and her son by Ahab, Ahaziah. Elijah's story continues now from Ahab to an encounter with Ahaziah 2 Kings 1. The scene opens with Ahaziah seriously injured in a fall. He sends to the priests of Baalzebub in Ekron , outside the kingdom of Israel, to know if he will recover.

Elijah intercepts his messengers and sends them back to Ahaziah with a message "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? They tell him he was a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist and he instantly recognizes the description as Elijah the Tishbite. Ahaziah sends out three groups of soldiers to arrest Elijah.

The first two are destroyed by fire which Elijah calls down from heaven. The leader of the third group asks for mercy for himself and his men. Elijah agrees to accompany this third group to Ahaziah, where he gives his prophecy in person. Ahaziah dies without recovering from his injuries in accordance with Elijah's word. According to 2 Kings —9, Elisha Eliseus and "the sons of the prophets" knew beforehand that Elijah would one day be assumed into heaven.

Elisha asked Elijah to "let a double portion" of Elijah's "spirit" be upon him. Elijah agreed, with the condition that Elisha would see him be "taken". Elijah, in company with Elisha, approaches the Jordan. He rolls up his mantle and strikes the water. Suddenly, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appear [ 42 ] and Elijah is lifted up in a whirlwind.

As Elijah is lifted up, his mantle falls to the ground and Elisha picks it up. Elijah is mentioned once more in 2 Chronicles , which will be his final mention in the Hebrew Bible. A letter is sent under the prophet's name to Jehoram of Judah. It tells him that he has led the people of Judah astray in the same way that Israel was led astray. The prophet ends the letter with a prediction of a painful death.

This letter is a puzzle to readers for several reasons. First, it concerns a king of the southern kingdom, while Elijah concerned himself with the kingdom of Israel. Michael Wilcock, formerly of Trinity College, Bristol , suggests a number of possible reasons for this letter, among them that it may be an example of a better known prophet's name being substituted for that of a lesser known prophet.

While the final mention of Elijah in the Hebrew Bible is in the Book of Chronicles, the Christian Bible 's reordering places the Book of Malachi which prophesies a messiah as the final book of the Old Testament , before the New Testament gospels. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.

Scholars generally agree that a prophet named Elijah existed in the Kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Kings Ahab and Ahaziah , that he was a religious figure of great personal dynamism and conservative zeal and the leader of resistance to the rise of Baal worship in Israel in the ninth century BC. In the opinion of some scholars, however, the biblical presentation of the prophet cannot be taken as historical documentation of his activity.

The biblical texts present his career through the eyes of popular legend and subsequent theological reflection, which consider him a personality of heroic proportions. In this process his actions and relations to the people and the King became stereotyped, and the presentation of his behavior paradigmatic. Jewish legends about Elijah abound in the Aggadah , which is found throughout various collections of rabbinic literature , including the Babylonian Talmud.

This varied literature does not merely discuss his life, but has created a new history of him, which, beginning with his death—or "translation"—ends only with the close of the history of the human race. The volume of references to Elijah in Jewish Tradition stands in marked contrast to that in the Canon. As in the case of most figures of Jewish legend, so in the case of Elijah, the biblical account became the basis of later legend.

Elijah the precursor of the Messiah, Elijah zealous in the cause of God, Elijah the helper in distress: these are the three leading notes struck by the Aggadah, endeavoring to complete the biblical picture with the Elijah legends. His career is extensive, colorful, and varied. He has appeared the world over in the guise of a beggar and scholar.

From the time of Malachi , who says of Elijah that God will send him before "the great and dreadful day", [ 56 ] down to the later stories of the Chasidic rabbis , reverence and love, expectation and hope were always connected in the Jewish consciousness with Elijah. Three different theories regarding Elijah's origin are presented in the Aggadah literature: 1 he belonged to the tribe of Gad, [ 57 ] 2 he was a Benjamite from Jerusalem, identical with the Elijah mentioned in 1 Chronicles , and 3 he was a priest.

Many Christian Church fathers also [ 58 ] have stated that Elijah was a priest. Some rabbis have speculated that he should be identified with Phinehas. According to later Kabbalistic literature, Elijah was really an angel in human form, [ 42 ] so that he had neither parents nor offspring. The Midrash Rabbah Exodus states "Elijah should have revived his parents as he had revived the son of the Zarephathite" indicating he surely had parents.

The Talmud states "Said he [Rabbah] to him Elijah : Art thou not a priest: why then dost thou stand in a cemetery? A midrash [ which? In the same cave where God once appeared to Moses and revealed Himself as gracious and merciful, Elijah was summoned to appear before God. By this summons he perceived that he should have appealed to God's mercy, instead of becoming Israel's accuser.

The prophet, however, remained relentless in his zeal and severity, so that God commanded him to appoint his successor. The vision in which God revealed Himself to Elijah gave him at the same time a picture of the destinies of man, who has to pass through "four worlds. Three years after this vision, Elijah was "translated. But as early as the middle of the 2nd century, when the notion of translation to heaven underwent divergent possible interpretations by Christian theologians, the assertion was made that Elijah never entered into heaven proper.

At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. Elijah's glory is honoured in the Book of Sirach Ecclesiasticus. His designated tasks are altered to:. At Jewish circumcision ceremonies, a chair is set aside for the use of the prophet Elijah.

Elijah is said to be a witness at all circumcisions when the sign of the covenant is placed upon the body of the child. This custom stems from the incident at Mount Horeb : [ 70 ] Elijah had arrived at Mount Horeb after the demonstration of God's presence and power on Mount Carmel. In the Talmudic literature , Elijah would visit rabbis to help solve particularly difficult legal problems.

Malachi had cited Elijah as the harbinger of the eschaton. Thus, when confronted with reconciling impossibly conflicting laws or rituals, the rabbis would set aside any decision "until Elijah comes". One such decision was whether the Passover Seder required four or five cups of wine. Each serving of wine corresponds to one of the "four expressions of redemption" in the Book of Exodus :.

I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an out-stretched arm and with great acts of judgment, and I will take you for my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

The next verse, "And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord. Thus, a cup was left for the arrival of Elijah. In practice the fifth cup has come to be seen as a celebration of future redemption. Today, a place is reserved at the seder table and a cup of wine is placed there for Elijah.

During the seder, the door of the house is opened and Elijah is invited in. Traditionally, the cup is viewed as Elijah's and is used for no other purpose. Havdalah is the ceremony that concludes the Sabbath Day Saturday evening in Jewish tradition. As part of the concluding hymn , an appeal is made to God that Elijah will come during the following week.

Let him come quickly, in our day with the messiah, the son of David. The volume of references to Elijah in folklore stands in marked contrast to that in the canon. Elijah's miraculous transferral to heaven led to speculation as to his true identity. Louis Ginzberg equates him with Phinehas the grandson of Aaron. Elijah is also equated with the Archangel Sandalphon , [ 84 ] whose four wing beats will carry him to any part of the earth.

When forced to choose between death and dishonor, Rabbi Kahana chose to leap to his death. References to Elijah in Jewish folklore range from short observations e. It is said that when dogs are happy for no reason, it is because Elijah is in the neighborhood [ 87 ] to lengthy parables on the nature of God's justice. One such story is that of Rabbi Joshua ben Levi.

The rabbi, a friend of Elijah's, was asked what favor he might wish. The rabbi answered only that he be able to join Elijah in his wanderings. Elijah granted his wish only if he refrained from asking any questions about any of the prophet's actions. He agreed and they began their journey. The first place they came to was the house of an elderly couple who were so poor they had only one old cow.

The old couple gave of their hospitality as best they could. The next morning, as the travelers left, Elijah prayed that the old cow would die and it did. The second place they came to was the home of a wealthy man. He had no patience for his visitors and chased them away with the admonition that they should get jobs and not beg from honest people.

As they were leaving, they passed the man's wall and saw that it was crumbling. Elijah prayed that the wall be repaired and it was so. Next, they came to a wealthy synagogue. They were allowed to spend the night with only the smallest of provisions.

Elijah the prophet biography of mahatma

When they left, Elijah prayed that every member of the synagogue might become a leader. Finally, they came to a very poor synagogue. Here they were treated with great courtesy and hospitality. When they left, Elijah prayed that God might give them a single wise leader. At this Rabbi Joshua could no longer hold back. He demanded of Elijah an explanation of his actions.

At the house of the old couple, Elijah knew that the Angel of Death was coming for the old woman. So he prayed that God might have the angel take the cow instead. At the house of the wealthy man, there was a great treasure hidden in the crumbling wall. Elijah prayed that the wall be restored thus keeping the treasure away from the miser.

The story ends with a moral: A synagogue with many leaders will be ruined by many arguments. A town with a single wise leader will be guided to success and prosperity. The Elijah of legend did not lose any of his ability to afflict the comfortable. Once, when walking on a beach, he came upon a hideously ugly man—the prophet in disguise. The man greeted him courteously, "Peace be with thee, Rabbi.

Is there anyone as ugly as you in your town? Perhaps you should tell the Master Architect how ugly is this, His construction. But Elijah would not give it until the entire city had asked for forgiveness for the rabbi and the rabbi had promised to mend his ways. Elijah was always seen as deeply pious, it seems only natural that he would be pitted against an equally evil individual.

This was found in the person of Lilith. Lilith in legend was the first wife of Adam. She rebelled against Adam, the angels, and even God. She came to be seen as a demon and a witch. Elijah encountered Lilith and instantly recognized and challenged her, "Unclean one, where are you going? Her intention was to kill the woman and eat the child. Elijah pronounced his malediction, "I curse you in the Name of the Lord.

Be silent as a stone! She promises to "forsake my evil ways" if Elijah will remove his curse. To seal the bargain she gives Elijah her names so that they can be posted in the houses of pregnant women or new born children or used as amulets. In his conflicts with Ahab and the pagan leaders of the time, Elijah argued that the law of a higher God must be the basis for guiding mankind's conduct and that morality must be the basis for a practical legal system.

Religion then became a practice based on reason and principle rather than frenzy and mystical ecstasy. This idea of laws based on moral principle continues to this day. By Austin Cline Austin Cline. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism.

Learn about our Editorial Process. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back. Cite this Article Format. Cline, Austin. Biography of Elijah, Old Testament Prophet. Share Tweet Save. Connor Salter. Published September 30, Bible Articles Video Audio. Bible Bible Stories.

And Elah his son succeeded him as king. Elah was in Tirzah at the time, getting drunk in the home of Arza, the palace administrator at Tirzah. Then he succeeded him as king. He did not spare a single male, whether relative or friend. The army was encamped near Gibbethon, a Philistine town. So he died,. So Tibni died and Omri became king. And Ahab his son succeeded him as king.

He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.

When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son? He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,. Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.

Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it.