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אֵלִיָּה (e.liy.yah)

e.liy.yah

Elijah

H0452 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 64 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
64 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Elijah, derived from the Hebrew elements for "God" and "Jehovah," literally means "Yahweh is God." It identifies primarily the dramatic prophet who confronted King Ahab during the divided monarchy, a figure famous for miracles and his ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). This etymology reflects the central theme of his ministry: asserting the exclusive sovereignty of Israel’s God against the worship of Baal.

While the prophet dominates the narrative, the name appears elsewhere in Scripture with less prominence. It identifies a Benjamite ancestor in Chronicles (1 Chronicles 8:27) and two men named Eliah who took foreign wives during the post-exilic reforms recorded in Ezra (Ezra 10:21, 26). These brief mentions show how common the name was among faithful Israelites, even as only one carried the weight of prophetic history.

Translators consistently render this name to preserve its theological declaration. The Greek New Testament uses Elias, linking the Old Testament prophet to Jesus’ prediction that Elijah would return before the Messiah’s arrival (Malachi 4:5). The name itself serves as a permanent statement of faith, reminding readers that the God of Israel remains supreme.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Elijah carries a powerful declaration: "Yahweh is God." This was not just a label but a standing witness against the noise of idolatry in ancient Israel. When we encounter this name, we are reminded that faith often requires clarity. In a world full of competing voices and distractions, knowing who truly holds authority brings a steady ground for our trust.

Scripture shows us Elijah in moments of both bold confrontation and quiet reliance on God’s provision. Whether he was praying for rain or trusting for food during a famine, his life illustrates that God remains sovereign over every circumstance. His story invites us to rest in the certainty that the Lord is indeed God, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 64 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Elijah61×
  • and/ Elijah5×
  • O Elijah2×
  • from/ Elijah1×
  • [was] Elijah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ9×
  • אֵלִיָּֽהוּ\׃8×
  • אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ6×
  • אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ6×
  • אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ6×
  • אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙5×
  • אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ4×
  • אֵלִיָּ֖הוּ4×
  • אֵלִיָּ֥הוּ3×
  • וְ/אֵ֨לִיָּ֜הוּ2×
  • אֵלִיָּֽהוּ\׃\ \פ2×
  • אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ2×

Key Verses

  • I Kings 17:1
    Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

    This opening verse establishes Elijah’s authority by anchoring his prophetic word directly to the living God of Israel.

  • I Kings 18:21
    Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.

    Here the name is associated with a direct challenge to wavering hearts, asking people to choose clearly between two opposing spiritual realities.

  • I Kings 18:36
    At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.

    In this prayer, Elijah uses his role as God’s servant to demonstrate that Yahweh alone is the true God in Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Elijah mean?

The name is derived from Hebrew elements meaning "Yahweh is God." It serves as a theological statement affirming the sovereignty of the Lord over all other powers.

How is Elijah different from other prophets?

While many prophets spoke for God, Elijah is uniquely noted for his dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal and his bodily ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire. His ministry focused heavily on restoring exclusive worship of Yahweh during a time of widespread idolatry.

Where else does this name appear in the Bible?

Beyond the main prophet, the name appears for a Benjamite ancestor in 1 Chronicles and for two men who took foreign wives in Ezra. These references show it was a known name among faithful Israelites, though only one carried the prophetic weight.

Every Occurrence (64 verses across 5 books)

I Kings 38 verses
I Kings 17:1

Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before…

I Kings 17:13

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it…

I Kings 17:15

She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, he, and her household ate many days.

I Kings 17:16

The jar of meal didn’t run out and the jar of oil didn’t fail, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by Elijah.

I Kings 17:18

She said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to memory, and to…

I Kings 17:22

Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

I Kings 17:23

Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah…

I Kings 17:24

The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that Yahweh’s word in your mouth is truth.”

I Kings 18:1

After many days, Yahweh’s word came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send…

I Kings 18:2

Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.

I Kings 18:7

As Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. He recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is it you, my…

I Kings 18:8

He answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here!’”

I Kings 18:11

Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’

I Kings 18:14

Now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”.’ He will kill me.”

I Kings 18:15

Elijah said, “As Yahweh of Armies lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.”

I Kings 18:16

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

I Kings 18:17

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”

I Kings 18:21

Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow…

I Kings 18:22

Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left as a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred…

I Kings 18:25

Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves, and dress it first, for you are many; and call on…

I Kings 18:27

At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is deep in thought, or he has gone…

I Kings 18:30

Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me!”; and all the people came near to him. He repaired Yahweh’s altar that…

I Kings 18:31

Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom Yahweh’s word came,…

I Kings 18:36

At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and…

I Kings 18:40

Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let one of them escape!” They seized them; and Elijah brought…

I Kings 18:41

Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”

I Kings 18:42

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and…

I Kings 18:46

Yahweh’s hand was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

I Kings 19:1

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

I Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make your life as…

I Kings 19:9

He came to a cave there, and camped there; and behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, and he said to him, “What are you…

I Kings 19:13

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, a…

I Kings 19:19

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and…

I Kings 19:20

Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me please kiss my father and my mother, and then I will…

I Kings 19:21

He returned from following him, and took the yoke of oxen, killed them, and boiled their meat with the oxen’s…

I Kings 21:17

Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

I Kings 21:20

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to…

I Kings 21:28

Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

II Kings 22 verses
I Chronicles 1 verse
II Chronicles 1 verse
Ezra 2 verses