Elijah
A prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel who confronted the worship of Baal and was taken up in a whirlwind.
At a glance
- Name
- Elijah
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- The books of Kings
- First appearance
- 1 Kings 17
- Known for
- The prophet who challenged the prophets of Baal
Who is Elijah?
Elijah is a prophet active in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who promote the worship of Baal. He announces a drought as a judgment and is kept alive through it in unusual ways.
On Mount Carmel he challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to show whose God answers. When fire falls in answer to his prayer, the people turn back, but Jezebel's threat sends Elijah fleeing in fear and exhaustion.
At Horeb God meets him not in wind, earthquake, or fire but in a still, small voice. Near the end of his ministry Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind, and his successor Elisha takes up his work.
Elijah in the Bible
The contest on Mount Carmel
Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, and fire falls in answer to his prayer.
Read 1 Kings 18 →The still, small voice at Horeb
Fleeing Jezebel, Elijah meets God not in wind or fire but in a still, small voice.
Read 1 Kings 19 →Taken up in a whirlwind
Elijah is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind as Elisha watches.
Read 2 Kings 2 →Not to be confused with
- Elisha Elisha is Elijah's successor, whose name is similar. Elisha receives Elijah's mantle and continues his work after Elijah is taken up.
Key passages featuring Elijah
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.