Elijah in the Whirlwind

ELIJAH WENT UP BY A WHIRLWIND INTO HEAVEN, 2011/5772
16th in the "Biblical Art" Coin Series.
Legal Tender issued by the Bank of Israel

Elijah the Prophet, about whom we are told in the Book of Kings I and II, ascends to heaven in the whirlwind, in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire. This is one of the most famous Biblical scenes, which has been an inspiration for artists throughout the ages.
Elijah was weary of his relentless and unsuccessful efforts to correct the ways of the people. He understood that his role as a prophet was destined to end; He was to leave this world and Elisha, his disciple, was to take over his mission.
Elisha refuses to accept that his beloved master was to leave him and the moving parting between Elisha and Elijah is an integral part of the dramatic scene.
As Elijah and Elisha walked and talked together "behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them from one another, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried "My Father, My Father…And he saw him no more and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him …" (Kings II, 2:11-13). Elijah had not died but he had been taken up to heaven, to reappear as a harbinger of the Messiah to come.
The artist Yaacov Enyedi created a dramatic rendering of the Biblical scene for the Biblical Art Coin 2011.

Obverse: Face value, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, biblical inscription in English and Arabic around the border, and upper right, in Hebrew in artistic letters resembling flames within the whirlwind. Top center, the Israel State Emblem.

Reverse: Elijah going up to heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire. Below left is Elisha, who is to take over Elijah's prophetic role, astounded at the parting of Elijah.

Edge:
Silver Prooflike Coin: Smooth
Silver Proof and Gold Coins: Milled

Mint Marks:
Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David
Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Yaacov Enyedi

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan 

Mint: Mint of Finland