אֵלִיָּהוּ
Eliyahu / Elijah
“My God is Yahweh”
Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “my god is yahweh,” pronounced “e-li-YA-hu.” From the Hebrew elements אֵלִי (Eli, 'my God') + יָהוּ (Yahu, short form of YHWH). A theophoric name that is both a personal confession and a theological polemic against Baal worship.
| Hebrew | אֵלִיָּהוּ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Eliyahu |
| English Name | Elijah |
| Meaning | My God is Yahweh |
| Pronunciation | e-li-YA-hu |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Eliyahu, Eliahu, Elias, Ilyas, Ilya, Elia |
| Key Scripture | 1 Kings 18:39 |
Elijah bursts onto the biblical stage without genealogy, without backstory — just a man from the wilderness of Gilead declaring drought on Israel in the name of the living God. His name, Eliyahu, is itself a battle cry: 'My God is Yahweh' — the exact theological statement he proved on Mount Carmel when fire fell from heaven and consumed his sacrifice before the stunned prophets of Baal. Elijah never died; he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind with chariots of fire, and Jewish tradition holds that he will return before the Messiah comes — which is why an empty chair is set for him at every Passover Seder.
Key Scripture: 1 Kings 18:39
“When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The LORD — he is God! The LORD — he is God!'”
What Does Elijah Mean in Hebrew?
Composed of אֵל (El, 'God') + the possessive suffix י (i, 'my') + יָהוּ (Yahu, a form of the divine name YHWH). Thus: 'My God is Yah(weh).' The name served as a direct challenge to the syncretism of Ahab's Israel, where Baal was being equated with YHWH.
Elijah in the Bible
Elijah is the greatest of the 'writing prophets' of the northern kingdom. He pronounced drought on Israel (1 Kings 17), was fed by ravens, raised a widow's son, called down fire on Mount Carmel, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2). Malachi 4:5 prophesied his return before 'the great and dreadful day of the LORD.'
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
At every Passover Seder, a cup of wine is poured for Elijah and the door is opened in hope of his return. In Havdalah (the ceremony ending Shabbat), the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi' (Elijah the Prophet) is sung. He is one of the most celebrated figures in Jewish folklore and mysticism.
Elijah has surged in popularity in the US, reaching the top 5 boys' names in recent years. The name's dramatic biblical associations and strong sound have made it a modern favorite. In Israel, Eliyahu is especially common in Sephardic and Mizrachi communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah
What does Elijah mean in Hebrew?
Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu) means “My God is Yahweh” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew elements אֵלִי (Eli, 'my God') + יָהוּ (Yahu, short form of YHWH). A theophoric name that is both a personal confession and a theological polemic against Baal worship.
How do you pronounce Elijah in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Elijah is “e-li-YA-hu.” The name is written אֵלִיָּהוּ in Hebrew script.
What does Elijah mean in Hebrew?
Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu) means 'My God is Yahweh' in Hebrew. It combines 'Eli' (my God) with 'Yahu' (a form of God's personal name YHWH). The name is a declaration of exclusive loyalty to the God of Israel — which perfectly defined Elijah's mission of confronting Baal worship in the northern kingdom.
Why is Elijah important at Passover?
Based on Malachi 4:5, which says God will send Elijah before the 'great and dreadful day of the LORD,' Jewish tradition holds that Elijah will herald the Messiah. At every Passover Seder, a cup is filled for Elijah and the door is opened, expressing hope that this will be the year of his return and the messianic redemption.
Did Elijah really go to heaven without dying?
According to 2 Kings 2:11, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind accompanied by a chariot and horses of fire, without experiencing physical death. Along with Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Elijah is one of only two people in the Hebrew Bible described as being taken directly to God's presence without dying.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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