2 Kings 1:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →By his rough garment and leather belt the king recognizes the prophet Elijah.
What Does 2 Kings 1:8 Mean?
The messengers describe a hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist. The description is enough; the king names him at once as Elijah the Tishbite. This distinctive prophet's garb became his signature, a sign of a life given wholly to God's word rather than to comfort or court fashion.
Centuries later another prophet would appear in the wilderness 'clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins' -- John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord. The plain garment points beyond the man to his calling: to stand apart from a compromised world and summon people back to God. True prophetic authority is recognized not by splendor but by faithfulness to the One who sends it.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 1:8
What does 2 Kings 1:8 mean?
By his rough garment and leather belt the king recognizes the prophet Elijah.