Lexical Summary Tishbiy: Tishbite Original Word: תִּשְׁבִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tishbite Patrial from an unused name meaning recourse; a Tishbite or inhabitant of Tishbeh (in Gilead) -- Tishbite. Brown-Driver-Briggs [תִּשְׁבֶּה] proper name, of a location (from above √ ); — read probably מִתִּשְׁבֵּה גִלְעָד (or תִּשְׁבֵּי) 1 Kings 17:1 (for ᵑ0 מִתּשָׁבֵיּ) ᵐ5. ἐκ θεσβῶν (ᵐ5L Θεσσεβῶν) τῆς Γαλααδ, so Joshua; Ew Th We Kmp Benz Kit Bur and others; home of Elijah; see KasterenZPV xiii (1890) 207 ff. compare modern Istib, in mountains of Ajhûn, so BuhlG 257. תִּשְׁבִּי adjective, of a people, ׳אֵלִיָּהוּ הַתּ 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 21:17,28; 2 Kings 1:3,8; 2 Kings 9:36; — ὀ Θεσβ(ε)ίτης Topical Lexicon Tishbite (Strong’s Hebrew 8664)Identification and Geographic Setting The term “Tishbite” designates a man from Tishbe in Gilead east of the Jordan River. Scripture applies the name exclusively to the prophet Elijah, marking him as a native of that rugged Transjordanian country noted for its solitude and stern terrain (1 Kings 17:1). The description underlines Elijah’s outsider status when he suddenly appears at Ahab’s court; he is not a palace prophet but a wilderness messenger, recalling earlier desert figures such as Moses. Occurrences 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 21:17; 1 Kings 21:28; 2 Kings 1:3; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Kings 9:36. Role in the Narrative of Kings Elijah the Tishbite embodies the prophetic conscience in the northern kingdom at its moral nadir under Ahab and Jezebel. His interventions punctuate key crises: Ministry Themes 1. Covenant Loyalty – Elijah calls Israel back to exclusive allegiance to Yahweh, culminating on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Fulfillment and Reliability of Prophecy The divine words delivered by the Tishbite are expressly recorded as fulfilled (1 Kings 17:24; 2 Kings 9:36). The six mentions serve as textual anchors reminding readers that God’s spoken promises—whether blessing or curse—stand inviolable across generations. New Testament Echoes Elijah’s Tishbite identity is assumed in later Scripture without explanation, showing its canonical weight. John the Baptist ministers “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), and both Elijah and Moses appear at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-4), reinforcing the prophet’s eschatological significance. Eschatological Resonance Malachi 4:5 anticipates Elijah’s future ministry “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” Early Christian interpretation sees partial fulfillment in John the Baptist yet leaves room for a final Elijah-like witness (cf. Revelation 11). Practical Applications for Faith and Life • Courageous Witness – The Tishbite’s fearless stand before kings challenges believers to uphold truth regardless of opposition. Summary “Tishbite” is more than a geographical label; it crystallizes the prophetic office of Elijah as a solitary yet authoritative voice calling God’s people to covenant faithfulness. The six Old Testament occurrences frame a ministry characterized by unyielding commitment to God’s holiness, the certainty of His word, and the anticipation of ultimate restoration at the Day of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations הַתִּשְׁבִּ֔י הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י הַתִּשְׁבִּ֜י התשבי hat·tiš·bî hattišbî hattishBiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 17:1 HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּ֜י מִתֹּשָׁבֵ֣י גִלְעָד֮ NAS: Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers KJV: And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants INT: said now Elijah the Tishbite the settlers of Gilead 1 Kings 21:17 1 Kings 21:28 2 Kings 1:3 2 Kings 1:8 2 Kings 9:36 6 Occurrences |