Potential Mental Disorder Symptoms in the Prophet Elijah: An Exegetical and Psychological Analysis of Selected Episodes from 1 Kings 18–19

• Published in: Journal of religion and health Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 1856 - 1875
• Main Authors: Iwański, Dariusz, Plante, Thomas G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aging; Clinical Psychology; Famous Persons; God; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; Humans; Interdisciplinary aspects; Linguistics; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - history; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental health; Original Paper; Prophets; Public Health; Religion; Religion and Psychology; Religious Studies; Spirituality; Theology; 1 Kings 18–19; Spirituality and psychology; The prophet Elijah; Mental health; Spiritual struggles
• ISSN: 0022-4197; 1573-6571; 1573-6571
• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-025-02274-x

This interdisciplinary study examines the prophet Elijah’s experiences as depicted in 1 Kings 18–19 through a multidisciplinary lens, combining theological, literary, and psychological perspectives. Drawing on literary and historical–critical methods, a biblical scholar analyzes the narrative’s linguistic and cultural dimensions, while a psychologist evaluates these findings using contemporary mental health frameworks, including the DSM-5 and models of spiritual struggle. By synthesizing these approaches, the study explores Elijah’s emotional challenges, highlighting their resonance with modern understandings of mental health and spirituality. The findings suggest that Elijah’s profound struggles—marked by triumph, despair, and renewal—offer valuable insights into the interplay of faith, vulnerability, and resilience. These insights illuminate how ancient narratives continue to address contemporary questions of human experience and psychological struggle.