ELIJAH (e-li'jah), (Heb. ";:t,, ay-lee-yaw', God Jehovah).
This wonder-working prophet is introduced to our notice like another Melchizedek (Gen. xiv:18; Heh. vii :3). without any mention of his father or mother, or of the beginning of his days. From this silence of scripture as to his parentage and birth, much vain speculation has arisen.
1. Elijah and Ahab. Some suppose that Eli jah is called a Tishbite from Tishbeh, a city b'e yond the Jordan. Others suppose that Tishbite means converter or reformer.
(1) Denunciation. The very first sentence that the prophet utters is a direful denunciation of Ahab; and this he supports by a solemn oath. 'As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years (i. e. three and a half years, Luke iv: 25; James v:17), but according to my word' (1 Kings xvii: 1). Before, however, he spoke thus, it would seem that he had been warning this most wicked king as to the fatal consequences which must re sult both to himself and his people, from the iniq uitous course he was then pursuing: and this may account for the apparent abruptness with which he opens his commission.
1,Ve can imagine Ahab and Jezebel being greatly incensed against Elijah for having foretold and prayed that such calamities might befall them. For some time they might attribute the drought under which the nation suffered to natural causes and not to the interposition of the prophet.
(2) The Brook Cherith. 1Vhen, however, they saw the denunciation of Elijah taking effect far more extensively than had been anticipated, they would naturally seek to wreak their vengeance upon him as the cause of their sufferings. But we do not find him taking one step for his own preser vation, till the God whom he served said, 'Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thy self by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan ; and it shall be that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there' (t Kings xvii :3, 4). Other and better means of protection from the impending danger might seem open to him; but, regardless of these, he hastened to obey the Divine mandate, and 'went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is before Jordan' (t Kings xvii:5). (See CIIERITII.)
Some commentators, availing themselves of the fact that orebim, which we translate ravens, means, in Ezek. xxvii :27, merchants, have tried to explain away the miraculous character of God's preserva tion of his servant at Cherith. Others again have thought that the original signifies Arabians, as in 2 Chron. xxi :16; Neh. iv •7; where the like word is used; or possibly the inhabitants of the city Arabah, near Beth-shan ( Josh. xv :6, and xviii: 18, etc.). In the face of such opinions as these, we still believe that ravens and not men were the instruments which God, on this occasion, em ployed to carry needful food to his exiled and per secuted servant ; and .in this he would give us a manifest proof of His sovereignty over all creat ures. But, it has been inquired. how could these birds obtain food of a proper kind, and of a suffi cient quantity., to supply the daily wants of the prophet? The answer to this inquiry is very sim ple. We cannot tell. It is enough for us to know that God engaged to make a provision for him, and that Ile failed not to fulfill his engagement. We need not to speculate. as some have done, as to whether this supply was taken from Ahab's or Jehoshaphat's table, or from that of one of the seven thousand of Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
A fresh trial now awaits this servant of God, and in the manner in which he bears it we see the strength of his faith. For one year, as some suppose, God had miraculously provided for his bodily wants at Chcrith ; but the brook which here tofore had afforded him the needful refreshment there became dried up.
(3) Zarephath. Encouraged by past ence of his heavenly Father's care of him. the prophet still waited patiently till He said, 'Arise (t Kings xvii :9), get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there; behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.' Ile then, at once, set out on the journey, and now arrived at Zarephath. he, in the arrange ment of God's providence, met. as he entered its gate, the very woman who was deputed to give him immediate support.