1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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II Kings 2:11

And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold, a fiery chariot and fiery horses parted them both asunder: *and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Ecclesiasticus 48:13.; 1 Machabees 2:58.

Horses. Angels assumed these forms, (Grotius) or a cloud, resembling a fiery chariot and horses, was impelled by a strong wind, under their guidance. (Tostat) (Menochius) (Salien, the year before Christ 914.) --- As the name of Elias is very like Helios, "the sun," some have supposed that they have the same meaning: (Sedulius, pasc. 1.) but the Hebrew term signifies, "He is my God." The pagans have taken occasion from this history to represent the sun drawn in a fiery chariot, by horses composed of the same element. Animosos ignibus illis, Quos in pectore habent, quos ore et naribus efflant. (Ovid, Metam. xii.) (Calmet) --- Heaven; (see ver. 1.) where he lives free from all disturbance. (Tirinus) --- It is a constant belief, that he will come again before the last judgment; as his representative, John the Baptist, announced the first appearance of our Redeemer. (St. Gregory, hom. 7. in Ev.) Of this the Jews were convinced. (St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho) See Malachias 4:5.