Elias
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For other uses, see Elias (disambiguation).
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Elias is the latinised version of the Greek name Ηλία(ς), pronounced e-lee-a(s) in Greek and English. (Elias or Ηλιας in Greek is the formal usage of the name, with Elia/Ηλια used in informal usage.) However it is also popular to pronounce the name as e-lye-as in English.
It is the Greek form of Elijah, the name of an important prophet in the Hebrew Bible. Some English translations of the New Testament, including the King James Version, use this form of the name. Newer translations usually translate it as Elijah. Elias is thought to be linguistically derived from Elijah because the Hebrew suffix -yahu, rendered -iah or -jah in English is consistently replaced with -ias in Greek, as seen in other names such as Isaiah/Esaias and Jeremiah/Jeremias.
Elias may also be an ancient Greek name related to Helios (see below).
Elias is also an oratorio about the prophet Elijah, composed by Felix Mendelssohn.
[edit] Elias in Mormonism
In Latter-day Saint theology, the name-title Elias is not always synonymous with Elijah and is often used for people other than the biblical prophet. According to Joseph Smith, "The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 340).
People to whom the title Elias is applied in Mormonism include Noah, the angel Gabriel (considered to be the same person as Noah), Elijah, John the Baptist, John the Apostle, and an unspecified man who was a contemporary of Abraham. (See LDS Bible Dictionary s.v. Elias.)
