Original Word: תִּשְׁבִּי
Part of Speech: proper name, of a location; Adjective, of a people
Transliteration: Tishbiy
Pronunciation: tish-BEE
Phonetic Spelling: (tish-bee')
KJV: Tishbite
Word Origin: [patrial from an unused name meaning recourse]

1. a Tishbite or inhabitant of Tishbeh (in Gilead)

Tishbite

Patrial from an unused name meaning recourse; a Tishbite or inhabitant of Tishbeh (in Gilead) -- Tishbite.

[תִּשְׁבֶּה] proper name, of a location (from above √ ); — read probably מִתִּשְׁבֵּה גִלְעָד (or תִּשְׁבֵּי) 1 Kings 17:1 (for ᵑ0 מִתּשָׁבֵיּ) ᵐ5. ἐκ θεσβῶν (ᵐ5^L Θεσσεβῶν) τῆς Γαλααδ, so Joshua; Ew Th We Kmp Benz Kit Bur and others; home of Elijah; see Kasteren^{ZPV xiii (1890) 207 ff.} compare modern Istib, in mountains of Ajhûn, so Buhl^{G 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

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:
• Drought Pronouncement (1 Kings 17:1) – “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives…there will be neither dew nor rain except at my word.”
• Naboth’s Vineyard Judgment (1 Kings 21:17-24) – announcing doom upon Ahab and Jezebel for judicial murder.
• Confrontation of Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:3-17) – condemning the king for seeking pagan divination.
• Prophetic Word Fulfilled (2 Kings 9:36) – Jehu cites “the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah the Tishbite” as Jezebel’s corpse is eaten by dogs, demonstrating the inviolability of divine pronouncements.

Ministry Themes

1. Covenant Loyalty – Elijah calls Israel back to exclusive allegiance to Yahweh, culminating on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18).
2. Prophetic Authority – Each occurrence of “the Tishbite” accents that his origin, not official accreditation, authenticates his message; the power lies in the word of the LORD.
3. Judgment and Mercy – While heralding judgment, Elijah also mediates provision for the widow of Zarephath and resurrection of her son (1 Kings 17:8-24), prefiguring later redemptive acts.

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.
• Prayer Efficacy – James highlights Elijah’s prayers that withheld and restored rain (James 5:17-18), encouraging earnest, righteous intercession.
• Fidelity to Scripture – The repeated fulfillment of “the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah the Tishbite” assures Christians that every promise of God is trustworthy.

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.

הַתִּשְׁבִּ֔י הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י הַתִּשְׁבִּ֜י התשבי hat·tiš·bî hattišbî hattishBiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts