Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, this action on the part of Elijah was done as a gesture of both respect and fear as a result of being in God's presence (in the form of the "still, small voice" that Elijah heard), similar to Moses in Exodus 3:6, when he hid his face after God had identified Himself when appearing to him in the burning bush, because Moses was afraid to look upon God (an incident of which Elijah would have been aware). (As God had also told Moses, "You cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live."(Exodus 33:20).) 

Also, Elijah may have been afraid to face God after having fled from Jezebel (the wife of Ahab, king of Israel) when she threatened to kill him, after Elijah had killed all the false prophets of Baal following the contest between God and Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19-19:3). (God's words to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:13 ("What are you doing here, Elijah?") seem to have been a form of reproof for this.)

February 11 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

tom TOm Supporter Prodigal Son

Elijah covered his face when he heard the still small voice because he felt the presence of God in that still small voice.

The covering of the cloak is a demonstration of one's acknowledgement of the presence of God.

He did not cover his face in the earlier phenomena even when they were visually impactful because God was not there. The presence of God was not in those visually impactful shows. God was in that still small voice.

Elijah felt the presence of God when he heard that.

March 16 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John McCain Supporter

My opinion is that He was fully aware of the presence of the Father and the example of Moses whom God covered with His hand to avoid viewing the glory that would have put him to death.

July 06 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Tracey! Keep them coming!

"...Yahweh declared that viewing His face would result in death (Exod 33:20–23 → 20 But,” he said, 'you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.

22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen.”.


--Faithlife Study Bible

March 25 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

1 Kings 19:13: And it was so, when E-li’-jah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, "What doest thou here, E-li’-jah?"

As the scriptures reveal unto us, in the time of Abraham, three men stood by him in the plains of Mam’-re. He ran to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant." He then prepared a meal for them and stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. The men then rose up and looked towards Sodom, Abraham then went with them. (Gen 18) The Lord then said, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? For I know him. He will command his children and his household, for they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment." The two men then turned their faces and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. The Lord who stood with him was our Lord Jesus, for Abraham rejoiced to see His day, for he saw it, and was glad. (Gen 18:1-2,7-8,16-22/John 8:56-58)

Abraham was led to keep the way of the Lord, for then we had E-li’-jah the Tish’-bite who stood before the Lord at all times, hearkening to His voice. The Spirit of the Lord God moved him to pray, knowing he was the servant who stood before Him. For the children of Israel had forsaken the covenant, thrown down the altars, slain the prophets, and were seeking to take his life away. Lord God then sent him to go to the mount before the Lord, and he was shown the signs, the strong wind that rent the mountains, earthquakes, and fire, but the Lord was not in it. This was to reveal to him that no one would take his life away, for he then wrapped his face, went and stood at the entrance of the cave. Lord then revealed unto him, return unto thy way and you shall find E-li’-sha and shall anoint him to be a prophet in thy room. Then it came to pass that the Lord took him up to heaven, for the Comforter, the Spirit of the Lord God that abided in him. (1 Kings 18:15,36/19:3,10-14/2 Kings 2:11/Joh 14:16) 

As the scriptures reveal to us, we have Moses and Elijah, who covered their face and put their trust in the Lord and were then to prepare the way, to remove the stumbling block from the path of His people. For He dwelleth with them in a high and holy place for those who have a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of contrite. (Exo 3:6/1 Kings 19:13/Isa 57:13-16) In the book of Revelation given unto John, “Lord Jesus Christ, revealed unto him, "I will give power unto My two witnesses. They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three-score days, clothed in sackcloth in days to come." Moses and Elijah, who were sent by God the Father on the mount, were the two witnesses of our Lord Jesus, for God the Father then came in the clouds and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” (Mat 17:3,5/Rev 11:3)

John 3:13: And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report