ELIJAH COMPARED TO MOSES

Moses begins ministry with eastwardElijah begins ministry with eastward journey
journey to avoid a king's (Pharaoh's) wrathto avoid a king's (Ahab's) wrath

Moses stays with a family (Jethro)Elijah stays with a family (widow of Zarephath)

Moses associated with a miracle of food in aElijah associated with a miracle of food in a
time of need (manna; which is made intotime of need (widow's meal; which is made
cakes and baked with oil)into cakes and baked with oil)

Moses returns to face Pharaoh and callsElijah returns to face Ahab and calls Israel to
Israel to faithfaith

Moses takes a journey to Sinai andElijah takes a journey to Sinai and
experiences a theophanyexperiences a theophany

Moses builds an altar to unify the people atElijah builds an altar to unify the people at
Mt. Sinai (Exod 24.2)Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs 18)

Moses begs Yhwh's forgiveness with theElijah begs Yhwh's forgiveness with the
unusual formula "Abraham, Isaac and Israel"unusual formula "Abraham, Isaac and Israel"
(Exod 32.12-13) - the people turn to faith(1 Kgs 18.36-37) - the people turn to faith
and execute the faithlessand execute the faithless

Moses leads the Israelites to Israel via theElijah returns to Israel via the transjordan
transjordan(Syrian desert)

Moses and Israelites fed with mannaElijah fed bread from ravens

Noone knows where Moses is buriedElijah is assumed

(adapted from J. T. Walsh, "Elijah" ABD II, 464-65)


DOUBLETS OF ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Elijah stays with the widow of ZarephathElisha stays with the Shunammite woman
Elijah multiplies her meal and oilElisha multiplies oil for a widow
Elijah raises her son from deathElisha raises the Shunammite's son from death
Elijah is associated with fireElisha is associated with fire

Click to return to Handout List page.
Click to return to HB3 Syllabus.

This page was last modified on 21 October 1999.