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Elijah

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Prophet who confronted Baal worship and was taken to heaven in a chariot

Detailed Definition
Elijah called down fire on Mount Carmel, fled Jezebel, and mentored Elisha. His dramatic ministry emphasized God’s supremacy. In poetry, Elijah symbolizes zealous faith, divine confrontation with evil, and the hope of return (Malachi 4:5), inspiring messianic longing.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Elijah’s ascension (2 Kings 2) prefigures Christ’s glorification; In William Blake’s "The Ghost of Abel," Elijah’s chariot of fire symbolizes divine intervention; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Elijah’s confrontation with Baal’s prophets illustrates prophetic courage; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Elijah’s flight to Horeb models spiritual desolation and renewal; In Alfred Tennyson’s "The Holy Grail," Elijah appears as a type of the solitary seeker; In Christina Rossetti’s "Advent," Elijah’s return (Malachi 4) anticipates judgment and hope.
Additional Notes
Elijah: Prophet of Israel known for dramatic confrontations with Baal worshipers (1 Kings 17–19; 21), miraculous acts (fire from heaven, raising the dead), and ascension in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2). In poetry, Elijah symbolizes prophetic zeal, divine power, and the solitude of conviction. His despair under the broom tree (1 Kings 19) humanizes him—ideal for exploring burnout, divine sustenance, or the paradox of strength in weakness. Malachi 4:5 links him to eschatological hope, and he appears with Moses at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), making him a bridge between law, prophecy, and messianic fulfillment. Poets may use his mantle, fire, or whirlwind as potent symbols of spiritual inheritance and divine presence.
Also Known As
Elijah the Tishbite Elijah the Prophet Elias
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