Books Other Than Kings and Chronicles where Eliyahu Appears
What else do we know of Eliyahu, other than the narrative in 1 and 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles? He is mentioned in numerous other books in Scripture, reviewed here.
• Malachi 4:5-6 מַלְאָכִי ESV* 5 “Behold, I will send you Eliyahu the prophet before (h6440. פָּניִם p̱âniym) the great and awesome day of YHWH comes. 6 And he will turn (h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ) the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) with a {decree of utter destruction} (h2764. חֵרֶם ḥêrem).”
• Malachi 3:23 הִנֵּ֤ה אָֽנכִֹי֙ שׁלֵֹ֣חַ לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אֵלִיָּ֣ה הַנָּבִ֑יא לִפְנֵ֗י בּ֚וֹא י֣וֹם יְהוָ֔ה הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָֽא׃ 23 “… in the presence of the coming of the day of YHWH, great and fearful.”
This appears also to be an incidence of “cutting short” the judgment/justice, short of “utter destruction.”
TWOT – “The basic meaning is the exclusion of an object from the use or abuse of man and its irrevocable surrender to God.” – see:
• Ex. 22:20 – “Whoever sacrifices to any god except YHWH is devoted to destruction.” [more on חֵרֶם ḥêrem later]
One very possible interpretation is that YHWH sends someone with much power or force to open the eyes of the people to repent before a much more severe consequence ensues. See Yochanan the baptizer/baptist. (Mt 11:11-12) Yochanan was quite zealous. (see especially Lk 3:7-9 and 3:18-20) His preaching was of repentance and of the Kingdom of Heaven, (Mt 3:2) and interestingly, Yeshua [Jesus] seemed t 312 o see Yochanan’s arrest as an indicator for the Kingdom of God being “at hand.” (Mk 1:14-15)
• Matthew 11:11-15 ESV 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist (g0910. Βαπτιστής Baptistēs from g0907. βαπτίζω baptizō) until now the kingdom of heaven has {suffered violence} [g0971. βιάζω biazō], and the violent (g0973. βιαστής biastēs) take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Baptist / violent are somewhat of a play on words in Greek, though not in Hebrew.**
Yeshua saying of John, “if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come,” could indicate that he stipulates repentance, just as did Elijah. [It may also relate to the idea above of “submitting to God,” see later.] And note Yeshua saying, “among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” Yeshua preached repentance, as well. (Mt 4:17)
• Matthew 16:13-17 ESV Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
All of those mentioned as possible “names” for Yeshua have a message of repentance, including Eliyahu [turn from idolatry]. And notice the mention of Elyahu ‘before’ [in the presence of] the naming of Messiah.
• Matthew 17:1-13 ESV (Also Luke 9:28-36) 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “κύριος kúrios, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore (g0600. ποκαθίστημι apokathístēmi) all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
g0600. ποκαθίστημι apokathístēmi, to be brought or sent back again, a restoration, a leading to repentance – see the Septuagint reference for this word noted in the CWSBD:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiWr5zh8cvZAhUrs1QKHZPqDvQQjB16BAgAEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unlockingthegrowth.com%2F2015%2F02%2Ftransfiguration-and-gethsemane%2F&psig=AOvVaw01umJsa4DJI83dnevgq0kc&ust=1520019944937089
• Jeremiah 16:15 ESV 15 but as YHWH lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north (h6828. צָפוֹן ṣâp̱ôn) country (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) and out of all the countries (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) where he had driven them.’ For I will {bring them back} (h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ) to their own land (h0127. אֲדָמָה ’ăḏâmâ) that I gave to their fathers. Hebrew h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ is one of the frequent words used for turning, returning, repenting.
…
Again we see the parallel between Elijah and John the Baptist, both calling for repentance. Note how significant Elijah must be, in order to be one of two prophets who appear at the Mount at Yeshua’s transfiguration. Note also that these two are ones who demonstrated much “power” in their deeds, which are likely reflected in the “two witnesses” in Re. 11. And note the Mark passage on the Transfiguration. (Mark 9:1-13) Mark has a verse introducing the actual narrative of the time on the Mount. Note his mention of the kingdom of God coming “with power.”
• Mark 9:1 ESV And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
One might interpret that Yeshua’s transfiguration was the coming of the Kingdom of God. Notice that he says in Mt. 12:28, “…if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” is the first action that takes place upon the descent from the Mount of transfiguration? Yeshua casts out a demon that his disciples were unable to cast out [though they had previously demonstrated such abilities]. (Lk 10:17-20. See the detailed telling of this event in Mk. 9:14-29.)
• Mark 9:28-29 ESV 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer (g4335. προσευχή proseuchē).”
Note this Greek word g4335. προσευχή proseuchē, which means fervent or earnest prayer. Our discussion a bit later will tie into this word προσευχή proseuchē, as we begin talking about prayer. But at this point note the critical tie-in to the James 5:17 discussion of Elijah’s προσευχή proseuchē, “praying fervently that it might not rain…” [Also note this is another example where things have been added to some translations, adding, after ‘prayer’ the words “and fasting,” not in the original manuscripts. – ESV note says “some manuscripts add ‘and fasting’”]
• Matthew 27:45-50 ESV (Also see Mark 15:33-39) 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with {sour wine} (g3690. ὄξος oxos; Hebrew – h2558. חמֶֹץ ḥômeṣ), and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
The sour wine, h2558. חמֶֹץ ḥômeṣ, is an Intertextuality hint [remez *** [רֶמֶז to Ps. 69:21.
• Psalm 69:21 21 They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me {sour wine} (h2558. חמֶֹץ ḥômeṣ) to drink.
Psalm 69 is one of several Psalms with very clear-cut and strong Messianic prophecy. As always in the literature written by Hebrew authors we should look at the context of the referred-to text. This technique of “hinting to the Scriptures” give a much clearer indication of what is meant. Psalm 69 is one of the passages that points to the Messiah as a “suffering servant,” Verses 1-28 give clear indication of the suffering. Verses 29-36 bring praise and hope. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is also a remez ( רֶמֶז ), hint, or indicator pointing to an Intertextuality connection, to the first line of Psalm 22, which is also a clear Messianic prophecy. There is great despair in the first 22 verses, and great hope in the last nine verses. In its structure itself, it is a “turning,” a repenting. And the message is one that if one cries out in one’s despair, repenting, there is hope. The first verse and last few verses of are shared here:
• Psalm 22 ESV To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Note that in the section not here quoted, there continues great despair. The next verses shared should be particularly familiar from narratives of the Passion of Yeshua.]
Ps 22 continued 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19 But you, O YHWH, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear YHWH, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise YHWH! May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) shall remember and turn (h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ) to YHWH, [ שׁוּב šûḇ – a “repentance word” that we have focused on] and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to YHWH, and he rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) eat and worship (h7812. שָׁחָה šâḥâ); before (h6440. פָּניִם p̱ âniym) him shall bow (h3766. כָּרַע ḵâra‘) all who go down (h3381. יָרַד yâraḏ) to the dust (h6083. עָפָר ‘âp̱ âr), even the one who could not keep himself alive. [ref: Ek. 18:27-28, again, repentance saving life] 30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of אֲדנָֹי ’aḏōnāy to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
Verse 29 is a very critical verse which will tie in several aspects of the discussion. לְפָנָ֣יו translated here as “before him,” is literally “toward the presence of him” or “in regard to the presence of him.” This idea will be greatly expanded later.
Body position, such as bowing (h3766. כָּרַע ḵâra‘) and prostrating (h7812. שָׁחָה šâḥâ) here, will point to aspects of prayer. Other words used include stand, sit, stretch out, for example. Going down (h3381. יָרַד yâraḏ) or descending can be an indication of assuming a position of humility. And dust (h6083. עָפָר ‘âp̱âr) has a number of important meanings in Scripture, one of which will tie in here.
Prior to the Elijah passages in 1 Kings, Solomon gives his prayer of dedication for the Temple. (1 K. 8:22-56) It will be an important prelude to the Elijah ministry. Two excerpts from Solomon’s prayer are shared here in context of this repentance theme. After that, a few more Scriptural Elijah references will be given, from other than Kings and Chronicles.
• 1 Kings 8:35-36 ESV
35 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn (h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ) from their sin, when you afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ), which you have given to your people as an inheritance.
• 1 Kings 8:46-48 46 “If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) of the enemy, far off or near, 47 yet if they turn (h7725. שׁוּב šûḇ) their heart (h3820. לֵב lêḇ) in the land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) of their captors, saying, We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ 48 if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ) of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land (h0776. אֶרֶץ ’ereṣ), which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name,…
These two passages are important context in understanding Elijah and the setting, the particular time, in which he lived, in addition to the “synthetic apprehension” discussion. And note, if the people had repented in the face of the drought, without having the necessity of the “showdown” at Carmel, the drought would have ended.
Resuming our look at passages outside of Kings and Chronicles referring to Elijah:
• Mark 6:14-16 ESV 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
Note again a tie-in between thoughts of Elijah, John the baptizer, and power. There are very interesting interconnections by means of Herod, whose name means “demonstrating heroism.” First, we connect as his namesake, to Herod the Great, and the killing of the males two years and younger in Bethlehem (Matthew 2), certainly anything but “heroic.” We then connect to the beheading of John based upon the truly “unheroic” vow to the daughter of Herodias, who “pleased him,” based upon her dance. (Mt 14:6; Mk 6:22) And the connection at the trial of Yeshua, when Herod unheroically took no stand regarding the Messiah. As he thinks Yeshua may be John the Baptist, raised from the dead, his fear shows.
Compare to John, who challenged (in his zeal) Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, (Mt 14:3; Mk 6:7-9, 14:22) and Yeshua who will not even speak to Herod.326 (Lk 23) And notice the names of Elijah and John: אֵלִיּהָוּ ’Eliyahu Yah is God, יוֹחָנָן yôḥânân Yah is merciful/gracious.#
• Mark 8:27-30 (as in Mt 16) 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Such comments could relate to the power Yeshua has demonstrated in his miracles, the message of repentance that both he and John share with Elijah, his “submitting to God” and being a witness, or, referring to “one of the prophets,” his words of teaching. (Mt 7:28-29.)
• Luke 1:8-20 ESV – [of Zechariah, John’s father] 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of κύριος kúrios and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of κύριος kúrios standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before κύριος kúrios. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
Note that Gabriel, who “stands in the presence of God” ## tells Zechariah [ זְ ַכרְיָה zeḵaryâ “Yah remembers”] that John “will be great before the Lord… will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb… will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
This is a clear statement of purpose and a connection with “the spirit and power of Elijah.” Notice particularly these two aspects of Elijah which will be reflected in John: the spirit and the power. Hopefully the reader will be able to discern, proceeding in this writer’s explanation, that Elijah is a man who demonstrates both a spirit of submission to God, AND is a conduit for the great power of Yah.
• Luke 4:16-30 ESV
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of אֲדנָֹי ’aḏōnāy is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of YHWH’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.
The examples of Elijah and Elisha here are ones of healing of Gentiles. These are people who do not know YHWH, but come to recognize him as God. These are prophets who “turn the hearts and minds of the people.” Recall 2Ch 6:38 “if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart…” Note that those in the synagogue in verse 22, “spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” It is only after he gives the examples of faith in the two Gentiles that they understand what he is saying, and in v. 28, “they were filled with wrath,” v. 29, “they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.” [put gravity to work]
He points out Elijah’s [and Elisha’s] power and the importance of faith [their faith or lack thereof]. (Mt 13:53-58; Mk 6:1-6)
• John 1:19-28 ESV 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of YHWH,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Notice examples of John’s humility. Also in John 3:30, the baptizer says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John was powerful but had the important character trait of humility; zealous for God, but humble before God and his Messiah. We know Elijah was able to work many miracles and that he was humble and obedient toward God after the Horeb experience. (end of 1K. 19, 1K 21:17-29, 2K 1:1-2:14) We will need to investigate his way prior to that. We will explore more his position with YHWH in progressing, which will relate to the earlier discussion about the his “string of names.”
Of important people in the TaNaKh, whose names are mentioned in the Gospels, the following is a “head count,” which may give some idea of their influence: Moses 37, David 34, Abraham 30, Elijah 27, Isaiah 14, Jonah 9, Solomon 7, Jeremiah 3, Amos 2, Elisha 1, Daniel 1, Hosea 0, Micah 0, Malachi 0, Ezra 0, Nehemiah 0, Zephaniah 0, Haggai 0, Habakkuk, Obadiah 0, Joel 0, Samuel 0.
• Romans 11:1-10 ESV 1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “YHWH, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”
Note this “spirit of stupor,” which will be seen when we get to the pertinent Elijah narrative. (1K 18:21) There was certainly this one encounter between YHWH and Elijah, where Elijah was feeling very alone, under the attack of Jezebel, but was unaware of a number of faithful people in Israel. From this time, Elijah clearly follows the path YHWH has laid out for him. Any understanding of the relationship between Elijah and YHWH prior to that time requires a look at more subtle evidence, more extensive inquiry (h1875. דַָּרשׁ dāraš), as we proceed.
Two Witnesses
Neither Moses nor Elijah is mentioned by name as being one of the “two witnesses” in Rev. 11, but the specific wonders that they performed under YHWH’s power are mentioned, thus being very strong “hints” [remez רֶמֶז] that indeed Moshe and Eliyahu are the two witnesses.
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/pages/rapture/the-two-witnesses-of-revelation.htm
• Revelation 11:1-13 ESV 1 Then I was given a measuring rod like
a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” [note again half of seven years, “cut short”] 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands (Zech. 4:3, 11, 14; [Ps. 52:8; Jer. 11:16) that stand before אָדוֹן ’ādôn of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, (1 Kgs. 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17) that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, (Ex. 7-10; 1 Sam. 4:8) as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their κύριος kúrios was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. [underlines added]
[If these two are Moses and Elijah, based upon the description of their works, note that Moses clearly worked under YHWH’s guidance; a parallel would suggest that Elijah did as well.]
• Zechariah 4 ESV A Vision of a Golden Lampstand 1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the YHWH to Zerubbabel (sown in or descended-of Babylon) Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says YHWH of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” 8 Then the word of YHWH came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that YHWH of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of YHWH, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed (h3323. יִתְשָׁר iyṯšâr; from h6671. צָהַר ṣâhar) ones (h1121. בֵּן ḇên) [literally “sons”] who stand (h5975. עָמַד ‘âmaḏ) by אָדוֹן ’ādôn of the whole earth.”]] [underlines added]
If we can reasonably conclude that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses of Rev. 11, from the nature of their actions, and they are named as the two lampstands, we can reasonably go to Zechariah 4 to get more important understanding of who they are, what their relation to YHWH is, and what their purpose is. Indulge, please, this discussion for a moment. We will address who they are first, in terms of their position, based upon Zch. 4:14. They are anointed sons, which means they are sanctified for divine service. This is not the same word as the root for Messiah, but does carry a similar function.###
“Stand by the Lord of the whole earth” here is הָעמְֹדִ֖ים עַל־אֲד֥וֹן כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ The verb h5975. עָמַד ‘âmaḏ is a qal participle; Lord is adon, as opposed to the frequent substitution for YHWH. [Every other occurrence of ‘Lord’ in this passage is YHWH.] Literally, the Hebrew here means “the standing ones” or “abiding ones” beside the master of the whole earth. They abide with the Master and are anointed sons. They are very much sanctified or consecrated, set-apart. Thus their appearance at the Mount of transfiguration, and likely again as the Re 11 witnesses, Moshe and Eliyahu.
So, what of the underlined part in Zch 4;6, which might describe their purpose? The Word of YHWH to those descended of Babylon, the “worldly system,” is “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” This is in response to the question, “Who are these, my lord?” as Zechariah questions regarding the two lampstands. Here we must look at the history of Moshe and of Eliyahu, to see if this statement fits. Moshe was a great prophet, a “type” or foreshadowing of the Messiah. He was a great leader and accomplished much in the years that he led the people of God out of Egypt and through the wilderness. But he did not enter the promised land. Why did he not enter the promised land?
In Numbers, Moshe is instructed to “tell (h1696. דָּבַר ḏâḇar) the rock” to bring forth water. (Nm 20:8-13) In Moses’s frustration with the people, he says, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly. Immediately, YHWH says to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”
Let’s look at Eliyahu. A brief summary of his activities will suffice at this point. He takes an oath that there will be no rain until his word, and there is no rain [we will get to whether it was through prayer and God’s Will later; for now suffice it to say it happened]. Miracles happen with the widow of Zarephath, prior to the Mt. Carmel confrontation, and then the incident at Mount Carmel, where the prophets of Baal are made fools and YHWH is glorified. This leads to the slaughter of Yezebel’s prophets and a vow by Yezebel to kill Elijah. In addition, YHWH declares he will bring rain after three and a half years, followed at an appropriate time, after the display of YHWH’s Fire, by Elijah praying for this to happen. Eventually Elijah is exhausted and afraid and requests to die. These events occur in chapters 17-19 of 1 Kings, leading to Elijah’s mountaintop experience. We must go into more detail about that experience later. For now, we look at one part of the experience on Horeb.▸
• 1 Kings 19:11-12 – YHWH speaking to Elijah… 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before YHWH.” And behold, YHWH passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before YHWH, but YHWH was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but YHWH was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but YHWH was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” After this Elijah has his discussion with YHWH. It would seem that the pattern of Moses striking the rock in frustration instead of speaking to it, and Elijah doing mighty works as a prelude to this demonstration of wind, earthquake, and fire, but YHWH being in “the sound of a low whisper” just might fit precisely with Zechariah’s Zerubbabel message/teaching: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”▸▸
Let’s visit again briefly the two witnesses in Revelation 11. In verse 3, a voice from heaven “grant(s) authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” Verses 5 and 6 tell us of their great might and power: “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.” Verse seven tells us “when they have finished their testimony (g3141. μαρτυρία martyria),” the beast from the bottomless pit kills them and their dead bodies are ridiculed for three and a half days [half of seven; the 1260 days is also half of seven years].
After this, they are resurrected, causing great fear, and then they are called to heaven. Before putting all these pieces together, it should be pointed out once again that Moses did not cross the Jordan to enter the promised land; Elijah had to cross the Jordan eastward from the promised land before he was carried off in a whirlwind with chariots of fire; and the two witnesses have to die and be humiliated for three and a half days before rising.▸▸▸ What is this “testimony” referred to in verse seven, “when they have finished their testimony?” Yeshua tells Pilate in John 18:37 what his testimony is:
• John 18:37 “Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness (“testify” g3140. μαρτυρέω martyreō) to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.'”
The truth for each of these witnesses was that they must die in obedience [μαρτυρέω martyreō is where we get out word “martyr”], but they then become anointed sons. Obedience to the Truth of who the Father is. Return to Exodus 34:6-7 and review who he tells us he is. He has unimaginable power: wind, earthquake, fire, shutting the sky, plagues of all sorts, fire coming from the mouth to devour, but to the world, the message [testimony] is, “”Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” Luke 12:12 and John 14:26 remind us that the Spirit will be the teacher, and will show us what to say. There are more passages to go to answer all the questions that have been raised in the discussion. Several more important points are necessary for understanding. Let’s turn now to the passage in James 5 that was briefly mentioned before, which is the last of the passages about Elijah in books other than Kings and Chronicles. But it is also the introduction to the topic of prayer, so it will begin the next Post.
* [Malachi, מַלְאָכִי, literally means “my messenger” or “my angel.” מַלְאָכִי is seen elsewhere in Scripture only in Ex 23:23, 32:34; Is 42:19; Mal 3:1, besides introducing the “prophet Malachi in Mal 1:1… in the two Ex verses and in the Mal 3 verse, it is accompanied by לְפָנָ֑י which will be a discussion upcoming – please keep in mind. The other really important point in the two Ex passages (please read context Ex 23:20-23; Ex 32:31-35) is that when YHWH tells Moshe he will send the angel ahead, the “you” is singular, as YHWH is sending the angel before Moshe. This contrast is especially clear in 32:34 where (NASB) “My angel shall go before you [sing]; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them [pl] for their [pl] sin,” and Ex 23:21 speaking of the angel, (NASB) “Be on your [sing] guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your [pl] transgression, since My name is in him. Recall that YHWH wanted to destroy the people, due to the molten calf incident, but Moshe pleaded for them. Read also (related?) Dt 18:15.]
** CWSBD – g0973. βιαστής biastēs – ‘A violent person, one who uses force, but also one who hurries to appropriate something that seems good without measuring the consequences of such action. In Matt. 11:12 it refers to those who heard the preaching of John the Baptist and came to him to be baptized without truly repenting of their sins. They must have said to themselves, “Let’s hurry to be baptized; let’s accept the advantages by the mere physical act of baptism.” But they never repented and believed in Christ.’ see Mt 3:7-10; Lk. 3:7-9
*** This Hebrew word, רֶמֶז , does not appear in Scripture, noted previously.
# recall Ex 34:6: “YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious…” רַחוּם raḥûm and חַנּוּן ḥannûn; For this and Kefa’s (Peter’s) confession, see also Lk 9:1-20, with Eliyahu’s mention in both instances.
## We will be discussing this phrase, stand in the presence, this is an excellent example.
### One could make speculations here with little proof, as H3323. יצְִהָר yiṣhār, refers to fresh oil for anointing, which is not that which has already given been processed for “official anointing,” which could tie into the future need for these witnesses… we will note later that both Moshe and Eliyahu end up on the east side of the Yarden … again pure speculation, but could mean they are kept “in the past,” for the future [toward the west] need in Yerushalayim, in Rev. 11. Use caution, though, regarding “reading into Scripture.”
▸ Horeb means “heat, drought, dryness.” A Horeb experience is a “wilderness experience,” a time of trial and teaching.
▸▸ This is one of the rabbi’s arguments for Elijah’s acting on his own.
▸▸▸ as Yeshua was humiliated and in the grave for three days and three nights, sign of Jonah]
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