ELI'JAH (Ileb. Yahweh is find: in the Greek form. oeeu•ring in the New Testament, 'HX1as, Elias). A Hebrew prophet of an early type, who, however. helps to inaugurate the movement that leads to the triumph of ethical monotheism among the Hebrews. The story of Elijah is elaborately told, chiefly in connection with the reign of Ahab (I. Kings xvii.-xxi.1, but also in connection with that of Allab's successor, Ahaziah Kings i.-ii.). This narrative is probably based, as is also the story of Elisha (Elijah's successor), on separate literary sources which lay before the compiler of Kings. and which contained a of stories with legend ary embellishments of the earlier prophets and seers that have been rather skillfully woven into the narrative of the kings of Israel and Judah. Elijah, whose home appears to have been in i:ilead (though the reading I. Icings XVii. 1 iS not certain). may be designated as a Yahweh purist, who resented the amalgamation of t he Va I Weh cult with t he worship of the Canaanit ish Baalim (see IlAALI, and whose tierce lion was brought to a (•linnix by Ahab's readi ness. for political reasons. to introduce the cult of the Tyrian Baal into the domain of Israel. Ile represents the opposition to all Baal-worship brought to a focus through the step taken by Ahab in adding to the local Baal eults the wor ship of o Baal originally akin to the Canaanitish Baals, but who as the specific Baal of Tyre out side of Ilebrew domain was introduced merely as a symbol of the alliance between Israel and the Tyrian kingdom that was brought about by the marriage of Ahab with the Tyrian princess Jezebel.
Elijah is rather abruptly introduced by the writer as the uneompromising opponent of Ahab, to whom he declares that no rain or dew is to fall save at the Prophet's declaration. A famine ensues, during which time Elijah is miraculously fed by ravens. The famine increases. and at last Ahab is forced to yield and give his consent to a contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The latter call upon Baal to send down the rain. but in vain. When Elijah, however, appeals to Yahweh, lightning conies to consume the bullock which the Prophet had placed on an altar soaked with water. By the order of Elijah. the of Baal are slain at the brook Tiishon, and rain i, sent by Yahweh. Such is the general char acter of the Elijah stories, all intended to illtts trate the superiority of Yahweh over other gods.
Ahab is represented as again led astray by Jezebel. who continues the opposition to Elijah. At times the latter is portrayed nigh unto despair; but he is encouraged by Yahweh, who appears to hint in the 'rustling of the breezes,' and while threatening destruction to Israel promises escape to Ahose who do not bow the knee to Baal. Even though the story of his life as given in the Bible be considered as having legendary and mythical features, we see in Elijah one of the most striking figures in Hebrew his to•y—one whose attitude foreshadows important changes in the religions life of the people. He shares, however, many of the characteristics of the old-time seer, whose chief function it was to give oracles and to control the moods of the deity in whose service he stood. He wears a primi tive dress—a robe of goat's or camel's hair with a leathern girdle. He is accompanied often by a guild of prophets. though at times he myste riously disappears and seeks the solitude of the wilderness. So. during the great famine, it is in the wilderness that ravens bring him bread and meat every morning and evening, and it is again in a solitary spot of the wilderness beyond Beer sheba that his strength is miraculously restored to him through a cake and a cruse of water that suddenly appear and which sustain him for forty days. He is not connected with any sanctuary. and holds no position at the Court. His appear ance is as sudden as his disappearance. His courage is unbounded, for those parts of the narrative which picture him denouncing King Ahab—as e.g. for the judicial murder of Na both, 1, Kings xxi. 17-20 (see AHAB ) —rest upon historical ground that may be regarded as solid. even though details have been added to color the dramatic situation. The transfiguration of Elijah, which takes place in the presence of his disciple Elisha (11. Kings ii. 11), may be a strange touch illustrating the admixture of myth and legend. A fiery chariot with fiery steeds descends from above, and Elijah rides in the storm to heaven. An old storm myth, in which the rolling of the clouds is taken as por traying the storm-god himself riding in his char iot, may have been ineorporated into the story of the old prophet. The mantle of Elijah falls from him as he ascends and it is picked up by Mishit.
this way the indication is given that Elisha is to continue the work of Elijah. See Etisnx.