Case file · Apparition / miracle
Elijah taken up by a whirlwind
2 Kings 2 says Elijah crossed the Jordan with Elisha and was carried to heaven in a whirlwind by a chariot and horses of fire. Tradition places it at Elijah's Hill (Tell Mar Elias), beside Al-Maghtas in Jordan.
850 BCE · 31.84, 35.55 · status: legend
The account
The hill has remains of Byzantine churches and was visited by pilgrims from the 6th century. The fiery chariot became a favourite of ancient-astronaut writers.
The sceptical view
A theological narrative; no historical check is possible.