Elia in die boek Maleagi

Abstract

The significance of the task of Elijah as mentioned in Malachi 3:24: "to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" is examined in the context of the relevant utterances of Malachi about the sending of the messenger The question why the messenger of the Lord is named Elijah, is further clarified in the light of the activity of the historical Elijah on Mount Carmel, and the striking resemblances between the task of Elijah and that of Moses in binding the people to the Lord in the covenant relationship. The article concludes with a summary of the appearances of the name of Elijah in Ecclesiasticus and in the New Testament.