Who Was Elijah in the Bible? Prophet of Fire on Mount Carmel

Elijah was a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead who confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel over the worship of Baal in the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 17:1; 18:18). He announced a drought, defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind without dying (1 Kings 18:36-39; 2 Kings 2:11). Malachi foretold his return, and the New Testament connects that prophecy to John the Baptist (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14).

His ministry is recorded in 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2.

Elijah at a Glance

Fact	Details
Name meaning	"My God is the LORD" (Yahweh)
Testament	Old Testament, with frequent New Testament mention
Key books	1 Kings, 2 Kings, Malachi, the Gospels, James
Time period	About 870-850 BC (traditional dating)
Hometown	Tishbe in Gilead (1 Kings 17:1)
Known for	Mount Carmel, fire from heaven, the chariot of fire and whirlwind

The Setting: Ahab, Jezebel, and Baal

Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than all the kings before him (1 Kings 16:30). He married Jezebel, daughter of the Sidonian king Ethbaal, and began to serve Baal. He built a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria and set up an Asherah pole (1 Kings 16:31-33).

Elijah appears without introduction into this situation. His first recorded words tell Ahab that there will be no dew or rain in the coming years except at his word (1 Kings 17:1).

The Drought Years

Fed by Ravens at the Kerith Ravine

God sent Elijah to hide in the Kerith Ravine east of the Jordan. Ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook (1 Kings 17:2-6). When the brook dried up, God sent him on.

The Widow of Zarephath

God directed Elijah to Zarephath in the region of Sidon, where a widow would supply him with food (1 Kings 17:8-9). She had only a handful of flour and a little oil. Elijah told her to make him a small loaf first and promised that her flour and oil would not run out until the rain returned. It happened as he said (1 Kings 17:12-16).

Later her son became ill and stopped breathing. Elijah carried him to the upper room, stretched himself out on the boy three times, and prayed. The LORD heard him and the boy lived (1 Kings 17:17-22). This is the first account in the Bible of a person being raised from the dead.

The Contest on Mount Carmel

In the third year, God sent Elijah back to Ahab (1 Kings 18:1). On the way he met Obadiah, the palace administrator, who had hidden 100 of the LORD's prophets in caves to protect them from Jezebel (1 Kings 18:3-4). When Ahab met Elijah, he called him the troubler of Israel. Elijah answered that Ahab and his family were the ones who had troubled Israel by abandoning the LORD's commands (1 Kings 18:17-18).

Elijah summoned the people along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-20). He addressed the crowd directly:

"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. (1 Kings 18:21, NIV)

Each side would prepare a bull on wood without lighting it. The god who answered by fire would be God (1 Kings 18:23-24). The prophets of Baal called out from morning until noon, danced around the altar, and slashed themselves, but there was no response (1 Kings 18:26-29).

Elijah repaired the LORD's altar with twelve stones, one for each tribe (1 Kings 18:30-31). He had the offering soaked with water three times until it filled the trench (1 Kings 18:33-35). He prayed a short prayer, and fire from the LORD burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water (1 Kings 18:36-38). The people fell prostrate and declared that the LORD is God (1 Kings 18:39). The prophets of Baal were seized and killed at the Kishon Valley (1 Kings 18:40).

Elijah then prayed on the top of Carmel with his face between his knees. His servant looked toward the sea seven times before a small cloud appeared, and heavy rain followed (1 Kings 18:42-45). The power of the LORD came on Elijah, and he ran ahead of Ahab's chariot to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:46).

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Flight to Horeb and the Gentle Whisper

Jezebel sent a message vowing to kill Elijah within a day (1 Kings 19:1-2). He was afraid and ran for his life to Beersheba, then went a day into the wilderness and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-4). An angel woke him twice and gave him bread and water. Strengthened by that food, he traveled 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:5-8).

In a cave there, God asked what he was doing. Elijah said he had been zealous for the LORD, the Israelites had killed the prophets, and he alone was left (1 Kings 19:9-10). God told him to stand on the mountain. A powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire passed by, but the LORD was not in any of them (1 Kings 19:11-12). The account then says:

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12, NIV)

God gave Elijah three assignments: anoint Hazael king of Aram, anoint Jehu king of Israel, and anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet (1 Kings 19:15-16). God also told him that 7,000 in Israel had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah found Elisha plowing and threw his cloak around him, and Elisha followed him (1 Kings 19:19-21).

Naboth's Vineyard and Ahaziah

Ahab wanted the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to sell his family inheritance (1 Kings 21:1-3). Jezebel arranged false charges, and Naboth was stoned (1 Kings 21:8-13). God sent Elijah to meet Ahab in the vineyard and pronounce judgment on him and his house, including that dogs would devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel (1 Kings 21:17-23). Ahab humbled himself, and God delayed the disaster until his son's days (1 Kings 21:27-29).

After Ahab's death, his son Ahaziah was injured in a fall and sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron (2 Kings 1:2). Elijah intercepted them and said Ahaziah would die (2 Kings 1:3-4). The king sent three companies of fifty soldiers to bring Elijah in. Fire from heaven consumed the first two groups. The third captain begged for mercy, and Elijah went with him and delivered the message in person (2 Kings 1:9-16). Ahaziah died as Elijah had said (2 Kings 1:17).

Taken Up in a Whirlwind

Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan. Elisha refused to leave him at each stop (2 Kings 2:1-6). At the Jordan, Elijah struck the water with his rolled-up cloak, the river divided, and the two crossed on dry ground (2 Kings 2:8).

Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elijah said it would be granted if Elisha saw him taken (2 Kings 2:9-10). A chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak and struck the Jordan, and it divided again (2 Kings 2:13-14). Elijah and Enoch are the two people the Bible describes as taken by God without a recorded death (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11).

Elijah in the New Testament

• The promised return: Malachi said God would send the prophet Elijah before the day of the LORD (Malachi 4:5-6). The angel said John the Baptist would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), and Jesus said John was the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:14; 17:12-13). John himself denied being Elijah in person (John 1:21).
• The Transfiguration: Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-3; Luke 9:30-31).
• The widow of Zarephath: Jesus cited Elijah being sent to a widow in Sidon (Luke 4:25-26).
• Prayer: James says Elijah was a human being like us who prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three and a half years (James 5:17-18).

Lessons from Elijah's Life

• God provides in specific ways. Ravens, a widow's flour jar, and an angel's meal each sustained Elijah (1 Kings 17:6, 16; 19:6).
• Faithfulness requires a decision. Elijah called the people to stop wavering and follow the LORD (1 Kings 18:21).
• Prophets are human. After Carmel, Elijah was afraid and asked to die, and God answered with food, rest, and a new task (1 Kings 19:3-8, 15-16; James 5:17).
• God is not limited to dramatic displays. At Horeb, God spoke in a gentle whisper rather than wind, earthquake, or fire (1 Kings 19:11-12).
• God preserves his people. Elijah thought he was alone, but God had kept 7,000 faithful (1 Kings 19:18).

Where Elijah Appears in the Bible

• 1 Kings 17-19; 1 Kings 21:17-29
• 2 Kings 1:1-2:15; 2 Kings 9:36; 2 Kings 10:10
• 2 Chronicles 21:12-15
• Malachi 4:5-6
• Matthew 11:14; 16:14; 17:1-13; 27:47-49
• Mark 6:15; 9:2-13; Luke 1:17; 4:25-26; 9:30-33; John 1:21-25
• Romans 11:2-4; James 5:17-18

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Frequently Asked Questions

Did Elijah die?

The Bible does not record Elijah's death. It says a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

How long was the drought Elijah announced?

1 Kings 18:1 says the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year. Jesus and James both state that no rain fell for three and a half years (Luke 4:25; James 5:17).

Who succeeded Elijah as prophet?

Elisha son of Shaphat succeeded Elijah (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21). He received Elijah's cloak when Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2:13).

Is John the Baptist Elijah?

Jesus said John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come, fulfilling Malachi 4:5 (Matthew 11:14). The angel explained that John would come in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), and John denied being Elijah himself (John 1:21).

Why did Elijah appear at the Transfiguration?

The Gospels record that Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus (Matthew 17:3). Luke adds that they talked about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31).