Lives of the Prophets Elias and Elizeu in Scripture
The biblical figures Elias and Elizeu are known as prophets who lived during the time of the Divided Monarchy [8, 9]. Elias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah [1, 7]. Both names appear in the New Testament, with Elias being the form used in the King James Version, for instance, in Luke 9:30, where Moses and Elias are depicted talking with Jesus [6].
Elijah, or Elias, is first mentioned in 1 Kings 17:1 [8]. He is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, described as a prophet who stood up "as fire, and his word burned like a lamp" [12]. Jewish tradition expected Elijah to appear shortly before the coming of the Messiah [13]. In the Transfiguration account, the appearance of Moses and Elias is interpreted by some as representing "the law" and "the prophets" respectively, together signifying the entire Old Testament testimony to Christ [11].
Elizeu, or Elisha, is first mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16 [9]. He was a disciple and successor to Elijah [9]. Elisha's ministry is detailed in the books of Kings, and he is noted for performing numerous miracles. Both Elijah and Elisha are considered extraordinary figures in biblical history [12].
Other individuals with similar names appear in the Old Testament, though they are distinct from these two prophets. For example, "Eliezer" was a son of Moses [3, 5]. "Eliel" is mentioned in 1 Chronicles as part of David's mighty men [2, 4]. "Elihu" is another similar name, possibly the same as Eliab [10]. These names, while phonetically similar, refer to different individuals in the biblical narrative.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elias — same as Elijah”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 11:47 (Geneva1599) — Eliel and Obed, and Iaasiel the Mesobaite.”
- 1 Chronicles “The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. -- 1 Chronicles 23:15”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 11:46 (Geneva1599) — Eliel the Mahauite, and Ieribai and Ioshauiah the sonnes of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 23:15 (YLT) — Sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Luke 9:30 — And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Elias — the Greek form of Elijah.”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0452G — Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.17.1; <br>referred to as <)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0477 — Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.19.16; <br>referred to as )”
- 1 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Chronicles 27:18: Elihu--probably the same as Eliab (Sa1 16:6).”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 9:30: there talked with him two men . . . Moses and Elias . . . appeared in glory--"Who would have believed these were not angels had not their human names been subjoined?" [BENGEL]. (Compare Act 1:10; Mar 16:5). Moses represented "the law," Elijah "the prophets," and both together the whole testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures, and the Old Testament saints, to Christ; now not borne in a book, but by living men, not to a coming, but a come Messiah, visibly, for they "appeared," and audibly, for they "spake."”
- 2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 13:20: And Elisha died - The two prophets, Elijah and Elisha, were both most extraordinary men. Of the former, it is difficult to say whether he was a man, or an angel in a human body. The arguments for this latter opinion are strong, the objections against it very feeble. His being fed by an angel is no proof that he was not an angel incarnate, for God manifest in the flesh was fed by the same ministry. Of him the following from Ecclesiasticus (chap. 48:1-11) is a nervous character: - 1. Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp. 2. He br”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 9:8: And of some, that Elias had appeared,.... Who had been translated, body and soul, to heaven, and whom the Jews expected a little before the coming of the Messiah: and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again; that is, one of the former prophets. It is well known, that the Jews distinguish the prophets into the former and latter; the books of the prophets of the Old Testament are so distinguished; the writings of the former prophets are those of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 of Samuel, and the first and second of Kings: the latter prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah,”