Elias

Look up Elias in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The Prophet Elias, by Daniele da Volterra

Elias is the latinised version of the Greek name Ηλία(ς), pronounced e-lee-a(s) in Greek and English. (Elias or Ηλιας in Greek is the formal usage of the name, with Elia/Ηλια used in informal usage.) However it is also popular to pronounce the name as e-lye-as in English. It is the Greek form of Elijah, the name of an important prophet in the Hebrew Bible. Some English translations of the New Testament, including the King James Version, use this form of the name. Newer translations usually translate it as Elijah. Elias is thought to be linguistically derived from Elijah because the Hebrew suffix -yahu, rendered -iah or -jah in English is consistently replaced with -ias in Greek, as seen in other names such as Isaiah/Esaias and Jeremiah/Jeremias. Elias may also be an ancient Greek name related to Helios (see below). Elias is also an oratorio about the prophet Elijah, composed by Felix Mendelssohn.

Elias with pagan origins

Elias receiving the word of God, from a Greek Orthodox icon.

The name Elias has links and is likely to also be derived from the pagan Greek name Helios/Elios, spelt Ήλιος in Greek, and which literally means "sun". It is known that the name existed for males in ancient Greece.^[1] At this time, the cult worshipping the sun God Helios was well established by all Greeks, despite being eventually replaced by Apollo. This implies the ancient name was derived from the god. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting Helios, was also worshipped by the ancient Jews.^[2] However it would be pure speculation that the Greek name influenced the Hebrew Elijah in any way. After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, it is alleged that some pagan customs were incorporated into the new religion. This was to ensure an easy transition into the new religion by subjects of the empire, which included modern day Greece. Aspects of Helios's imagery were incorporated into the religion, as well as the name. One telling piece of evidence is how in pagan times, the peaks of mountains were reserved for temples to Helios, the sun god. This was because it was the closest point to his presence. However in modern Greece, the highest peaks of any region are named after Prophet Elias or προφητης Ηλιας. Alternatively one might view this as visible evidence of the new religion superseding the former, and asserting its dominance.

"Helios the sun-god became the prophet Elijah (the Greek form is Elias and, as the hard breathing had probably already fallen into disuse at the time of the changeover, the disguise was very thin). The name of this Hebrew prophet is now very common in Greece, but rare in Italy, where this name for Apollo was unknown. His shrine is always on mountains and hilltops where Helios, the heaven-born flaming charioteer, was worshipped. They symbolize, says the Church, Elijah's whirlwind assumption to heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire; and hundreds of lofty peaks all over the Greek world still commemorate this personification of Apollo"^[3]

Elias in Mormonism

In Latter-day Saint theology, the name-title Elias is not always synonymous with Elijah and is often used for people other than the biblical prophet. According to Joseph Smith, "The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 340). People to whom the title Elias is applied in Mormonism include Noah, the angel Gabriel (considered to be the same person as Noah), Elijah, John the Baptist, John the Apostle, and an unspecified man who was a contemporary of Abraham. (See LDS Bible Dictionary s.v. Elias.)

See also

• Elijah
• Elia
• Ilia
• Eli

References