Elijah

=== Elijah's chair ===
{{See also|Brit milah}}
[[File:Chair of Elijah.JPG|thumb|"Chair of Elijah" used during the [[brit milah]] (circumcision) ceremony. The [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]] inscription reads "This is the chair of Elijah, remembered for Good."]]

At Jewish [[Brit milah|circumcision]] ceremonies, a chair is set aside for the use of the prophet Elijah. Elijah is said to be a [[witness]] at all circumcisions when the sign of the [[covenant (religion)|covenant]] is placed upon the body of the child. This custom stems from the incident at [[Mount Horeb]]:<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Kings|19|HE}}</ref> Elijah had arrived at Mount Horeb after the demonstration of God's presence and power on [[Mount Carmel]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Kings|18|HE}}</ref> God asks Elijah to explain his arrival, and Elijah replies: "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away".<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Kings|19:10|HE}}</ref> According to Rabbinic tradition, Elijah's words were patently untrue,<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Kings|18:4|HE}} and {{Bibleverse|1|Kings|19:18|HE}}</ref> and since Elijah accused Israel of failing to uphold the covenant, God would require Elijah to be present at every covenant of circumcision.<ref>"Elijah, Chair of." ''Encyclopaedia Judaica.'' Jerusalem: Keter Publishing House, 1971.</ref><ref>Unterman, Alan. "Elijah's Chair." ''Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend.'' London: Thames and Hudson, 1991.</ref>