Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 1:8. It’s a bit strange at first, but it's packed with meaning! Here’s what it says in simpler terms: “And they answered him, [He was] an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” They answered him: This means the people were listening to Elijah. [He was] an hairy man: This describes Elijah's appearance – he had long hair and a thick beard. and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins: This is the really interesting part. "Gird" means to wrap or bind. Elijah was wearing a large, leather belt around his waist, like a sort of pouch or girdle. “And he said, It [is] Elijah the Tishbite.” He said: This is where the key revelation happens. It [is]: This is a very unusual way of speaking. It’s essentially saying “Elijah.” The word "it" is a bit mysterious and suggests that this person was Elijah. Elijah the Tishbite: This is where the real significance lies. The Hebrew word "tishbit" means “false prophet” or “false messenger.” So, Elijah was being called by someone who was claiming to be him – someone who wasn't actually Elijah! Putting it all together: This verse describes a situation where people were listening to Elijah, and he recognized him. He then declared that he (Elijah) was the one speaking. It’s a very puzzling statement because it suggests a potential deception or someone trying to impersonate Elijah. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of false prophets and the importance of discerning truth from falsehood. It's a reminder that we need to be cautious when we hear things that seem too good to be true, and always verify information with reliable sources. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in biblical history? Discuss the different possible interpretations of this passage? Give you a quick summary of what happened next in the story?