<P> Three different theories regarding Elijah's origin are presented in the Aggadah literature: (1) he belonged to the tribe of Gad, (2) he was a Benjamite from Jerusalem, identical with the Elijah mentioned in I Chronicles 8: 27, and (3) he was a priest . </P> <P> Many Christian Church fathers also have stated that Elijah was a priest . Some Rabbis have speculated that he should be identified with Phinehas . </P> <P> According to later Kabbalistic literature, Elijah was really an angel in human form, so that he had neither parents nor offspring . See Melchizedek . </P> <P> The Midrash Rabbah Exodus 4: 2 states "Elijah should have revived his parents as he had revived the son of the Zarephathite" indicating he surely had parents . </P>

Who was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire