2 Kings 1:8
New International Version
They replied, “He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.” The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.”

New Living Translation
They replied, “He was a hairy man, and he wore a leather belt around his waist.” “Elijah from Tishbe!” the king exclaimed.

English Standard Version
They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

Berean Standard Bible
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

King James Bible
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

New King James Version
So they answered him, “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

New American Standard Bible
And they said to him, “He was a hairy man with a leather belt worn around his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

NASB 1995
They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

NASB 1977
And they answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they said to him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle girded about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

Amplified Bible
They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a [wide] leather band bound around his loins.” And Ahaziah said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

Christian Standard Bible
They replied, “A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They replied, “A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”

American Standard Version
And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

Contemporary English Version
"He was hairy and had a leather belt around his waist," they answered. "It must be Elijah!" replied Ahaziah.

English Revised Version
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They replied, "He was hairy and had a leather belt around his waist." "That's Elijah from Tishbe," the king answered.

Good News Translation
"He was wearing a cloak made of animal skins, tied with a leather belt," they answered. "It's Elijah!" the king exclaimed.

International Standard Version
They answered, "The man was a hairy fellow. He wore a leather sash around his waist." The king responded, "It's Elijah, that foreigner!"

Majority Standard Bible
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

NET Bible
They replied, "He was a hairy man and had a leather belt tied around his waist." The king said, "He is Elijah the Tishbite."

New Heart English Bible
They answered him, "He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist." He said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

World English Bible
They answered him, “He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they say to him, “A hairy man, and a girdle of skin girt around his loins”; and he says, “He [is] Elijah the Tishbite.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they say unto him, 'A man -- hairy, and a girdle of skin girt about his loins;' and he saith, 'He is Elijah the Tishbite.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say to him, A man possessing hair, girded with a girdle of skin upon his loins. And he will say, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they said: A hairy man with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said: It is Elias the Thesbite.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So they said, “A hairy man, with a belt of leather wrapping his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah, the Tishbite.”

New American Bible
They replied, “He wore a hairy garment with a leather belt around his waist.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite!” he exclaimed.

New Revised Standard Version
They answered him, “A hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they answered him, He was a hairy man and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said to them, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They were saying to him: “A hairy man and a belt of leather was bound around his waist.” He said to them, “He is Elyah who is from Thesbe.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they answered him: 'He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.' And he said: 'It is Elijah the Tishbite.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said to him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a leathern girdle about his loins. And he said, This is Eliu the Thesbite.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Denounces Ahaziah
7The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?” 8“He was a hairy man,” they answered, with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king. 9Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’ ”…

Cross References
Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Matthew 17:10-13
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” ...

John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

James 5:17
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

Revelation 11:3-6
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” / These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. / If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. ...

Matthew 14:2
and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Luke 9:8
others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen.

1 Kings 19:13
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 18:46
And the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah, and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

1 Kings 19:19
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.


Treasury of Scripture

And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

Isaiah 20:2
At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

Zechariah 13:4
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

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Band Belt Body Bound Clothed Coat Elijah Eli'jah Garment Girdle Girt Hair Haircloth Hairy Leather Skin Tishbite Waist Wore
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2 Kings 1
1. Moab rebels
2. Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah
5. Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.
13. He pities the third captain,
15. and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death
17. Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah














He was a hairy man
The description of Elijah as a "hairy man" can be understood in several ways. The Hebrew word used here is "בַּעַל שֵׂעָר" (ba'al se'ar), which can mean either a person with much body hair or someone wearing a garment made of hair, such as camel's hair. This description aligns with the ascetic lifestyle of prophets, who often lived in the wilderness and wore simple, rugged clothing. Elijah's appearance is reminiscent of John the Baptist, who also wore camel's hair, as noted in the New Testament (Matthew 3:4). This connection underscores the prophetic tradition of living apart from societal norms to deliver God's messages.

with a leather belt around his waist
The leather belt is a significant detail, as it was a common accessory for prophets and those living in the wilderness. The Hebrew word for belt, "אֵזוֹר" (ezor), indicates a simple, functional item used to gird up one's garments for travel or work. This practical attire reflects Elijah's readiness to serve God and his mission. The belt also symbolizes truth and preparedness, as seen in Ephesians 6:14, where believers are encouraged to "stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." Elijah's attire signifies his role as a servant of God, prepared to act according to divine will.

And he said
This phrase introduces the response of those who recognized Elijah. The speaker is likely King Ahaziah's messengers, who, upon seeing Elijah, immediately identify him. The recognition of Elijah by his appearance alone suggests his reputation and the distinctiveness of his prophetic ministry. Elijah was known throughout Israel for his powerful acts and unwavering commitment to God, making him a prominent and easily identifiable figure.

It is Elijah the Tishbite
The identification of Elijah as "the Tishbite" refers to his origin from Tishbe in Gilead. This geographical reference highlights Elijah's roots in a region known for its rugged terrain and independent spirit. Elijah's identity as a Tishbite emphasizes his outsider status, both geographically and socially, as he often stood in opposition to the prevailing powers and idolatrous practices of Israel. His role as a prophet was to call the people back to the worship of Yahweh, challenging the status quo and confronting the apostasy of Israel's leaders. Elijah's life and ministry serve as a powerful reminder of the call to faithfulness and the courage required to stand for God's truth in the face of opposition.

(8) Answered.--Said unto.

An hairy man.--Literally, a lord of hair. This might refer to length of hair and beard (so LXX., ?????, "hirsute," "shaggy"); or to a hairy cloak or mantle. The second alternative is right, because a hairy mantle was a mark of the prophetic office from Elijah downwards. (Comp. Zechariah 13:4, "a rough garment;" and Matthew 3:4, where it is said of John Baptist--the second Elias--that "he was clad in camel's hair," and had "a leather girdle about his loins.") The girdle, as Thenius remarks, would not be mentioned alone. The common dress of the Bedawis is a sheep or goat's skin with the hair left on.

Girt with a girdle of leather.--Such as only the poorest would wear. The girdle was ordinarily of linen or cotton, and often costly. The prophet's dress was a sign of contempt for earthly display, and of sorrow for the national sins and their consequences, which it was his function to proclaim. (Comp. Isaiah 20:2.)

Verse 8. - A hairy man; literally, a lord of hair (בַּעַל שַׂעָר). Some take the meaning to be that he was rough and unkempt, with his hair and beard long; and so the LXX., who give ἀνὴρ δασύς. But the more usual explanation is that he wore a shaggy coat of untanned skin, with the hair outward. Such a garment seems certainly to have been worn by the later prophets (Zechariah 13:4; Matthew 3:4), and to have been regarded as a sign of their profession. But there is no positive evidence that the dress had been adopted by Isaiah's time. Girt with a girdle of leather. Generally the Israelites wore girdles of a soft material, as linen or cotton. The "curious girdle" of the high priest's ephod was of "fine twined linen," embroidered with gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet (Exodus 28:8). Girdles of leather, rough and uncomfortable, would only be worn by the very poor and by the ascetic. Elijah may have adopted his rough and coarse costume, either to show contempt for things earthly, as Hengstenberg thinks; or as a penitential garb indicating sorrow for the sins of the people, as Keil supposes; or simple to chastise and subdue the flesh, as other ascetics. It is Elijah the Tishbite. The description given is enough. The king has no longer any doubt. His suspicion is turned into certainty. There is no living person but Elijah who would at once have the boldness to prophesy the death of the king, and would wear such a costume as described. Elijah is, of course, his enemy, as he had been his father's "enemy" (1 Kings 21:20), and will wish him ill, and prophesy accordingly, the wish being "father to the thought." It is not improbable that Elijah had withdrawn himself into obscurity on the accession of Ahaziah, or at any rate on his exhibition of strong idolatrous proclivities (Ewald), as he had done on more than one occasion from Ahab (1 Kings 17:10; 1 Kings 19:8-8). Ahaziah may have been long wishing to arrest and imprison him, and now thought he saw his opportunity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“[He was] a hairy
שֵׂעָ֔ר (śê·‘ār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8181: Hair

man,”
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

they answered,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“with a leather
ע֖וֹר (‘ō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

belt
וְאֵז֥וֹר (wə·’ê·zō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 232: Something girt, a belt, a band

around his waist.”
בְּמָתְנָ֑יו (bə·mā·ṯə·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins

“It is
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

Elijah
אֵלִיָּ֥ה (’ê·lî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

the Tishbite,”
הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י (hat·tiš·bî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8664: A Tishbite

said [the king].
וַיֹּאמַ֕ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 2 Kings 1:8 They answered him He was a hairy (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 1:7
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