Tishbe

Tishbe (or Tishbite), the hometown of the prophet Elijah, located in Gilead (1Kgs. 17:1; 21:17, 28; 2Kgs. 1:3, 8; 9:36).

Tishbe, also known as Tishbite, is mentioned in the Bible as the hometown of the prophet Elijah (1Kgs. 17:1). Elijah is often referred to as "Elijah the Tishbite" or "Elijah of Tishbe in Gilead," indicating that the town was located in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. Tishbe is not mentioned in any other context in the Bible, and its exact location remains uncertain. Some scholars propose that it may be associated with the town of Listib, mentioned in the 14th-century BC Amarna letters, which was situated in northern Gilead. Elijah's ministry took place during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah, kings of Israel, and he played a significant role in confronting the worship of Baal and delivering God's messages to the kings (1Kgs. 21:17-28; 2Kgs. 1:3-8; 9:36).

Elijah the prophet was thus named (1 Kings 17:1; 21:17, 28, etc.). In 1 Kings 17:1 the word rendered “inhabitants” is in the original the same as that rendered “Tishbite,” hence that verse may be read as in the LXX., “Elijah the Tishbite of Tishbi in Gilead.” Some interpret this word as meaning “stranger,” and read the verse, “Elijah the stranger from among the strangers in Gilead.” This designation is probably given to the prophet as denoting that his birthplace was Tishbi, a place in Upper Galilee (mentioned in the apocryphal book of Tobit), from which for some reason he migrated into Gilead. Josephus, the Jewish historian (Ant. 8:13, 2), however, supposes that Tishbi was some place in the land of Gilead. It has been identified by some with el-Ishtib, a some place 22 miles due south of the Sea of Galilee, among the mountains of Gilead.