Illustration created for this project.

Elijah — the Tishbite

The fiery prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and was taken up in a whirlwind.

Role: Prophet

Lived: c. 9th century BC

Belonged to: Prophets

Born: Tishbe

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1

Origin & birthplace

BibleElijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead.

1 Kings 17:1

Life, role & deeds

BibleOn Mount Carmel he defeated the prophets of Baal when fire fell from heaven.

1 Kings 18:38

↳ Mount Carmel

This image was produced by me, David Castor (user:dcastor). The pictures I submit to the Wikipedia Project are released to the public domain. This gives you the right to use them in any way you like, — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyAhab, Elijah's royal adversary, is named on the Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III (853 BC) among the kings at the battle of Qarqar — external evidence for the king of Elijah's day.

Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III (853 BC), found by J.G. Taylor 1861 at Kurkh (Uctepe), SE Turkey; British Museum, BM 118884; names 'Ahab the Israelite' (Ahabbu Sir'ilaya) among the Qarqar coalition

Death & legacy

BibleHe did not die but was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.

2 Kings 2:11

Where in scripture

1 Kings 2 Kings

1 Kings 18:38 2 Kings 2:11

In their own words — 29 recorded sayings

“And Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, By the living Lord, the God of Israel, whose servant I am, there will be no dew or rain in these years, but only at my word.” — 1 Kings 17:1

“So he got up and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the door of the town, he saw a widow woman getting sticks together; and crying out to her he said, Will you give me a little water in a vessel for my drink? And when she was going to get it, he said to her, And get me with it a small bit of bread.” — 1 Kings 17:10-11

“And Elijah said to her, Have no fear; go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and come and give it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is the word of the Lord, the God of Israel: The store of meal will not come to an end, and the bottle will never be without oil, till the day when the Lord sends rain on the earth.” — 1 Kings 17:13-14

“And he said to her, Give your son to me. And lifting him out of her arms, he took him up to his room and put him down on his bed. And crying to the Lord he said, O Lord my God, have you sent evil even on the widow whose guest I am, by causing her son's death? And stretching herself out on the child three times, he made his prayer to the Lord, saying, O Lord my God, be pleased to let this child's life come back to him again.” — 1 Kings 17:19-21

“And Elijah took the child down from his room into the house and gave him to his mother and said to her, See, your son is living.” — 1 Kings 17:23

“And Elijah in answer said, It is I; now go and say to your lord, Elijah is here.” — 1 Kings 18:8

“And Elijah said, By the life of the Lord of armies, whose servant I am, I will certainly let him see me today.” — 1 Kings 18:15

“Then he said in answer, I have not been troubling Israel, but you and your family; because, turning away from the orders of the Lord, you have gone after the Baals. Now send, and get Israel together before me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal who get their food at Jezebel's table.” — 1 Kings 18:18-19

…and 21 more recorded sayings.

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).