Who ascended to heaven in a whirlwind?

Elijah was the prophet who ascended to heaven in a whirlwind.

The account appears in 2 Kings 2. Elijah and his successor, Elisha, crossed the Jordan River, and a chariot of fire with horses of fire separated them. Elijah then went up into heaven in a whirlwind. The passage presents the fiery chariot as accompanying the event, not as the vehicle that carried Elijah.

Elijah's departure marks the transfer of prophetic authority to Elisha, who received a “double portion” of Elijah's spirit. Elisha then took up Elijah's fallen mantle and continued his ministry, including performing miracles associated with his predecessor.

A common mix-up is Enoch, who “walked with God” and was taken by God in Genesis, but is not described as ascending in a whirlwind. Moses died on Mount Nebo, while Elisha remained on earth as Elijah's successor.