Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab and the Battle at Ramoth-gilead
2 Chronicles 18:1-27
2 C.18.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ליהושפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- וכבוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתחתן: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- לאחאב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:1 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel in the Deuteronomistic account: Jehoshaphat 'had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.'
- 2 Chronicles 17:5-6 (verbal): Earlier Chronicler passage that likewise states Jehoshaphat's wealth and honor ('riches and honour in abundance'), underscoring his prosperous status prior to the alliance.
- 1 Kings 3:1 (thematic): Solomon 'made affinity with Pharaoh' by marriage—an analogous instance of Israelite/Judahite kings using marriage as a political alliance.
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 (thematic): Prophetic rebuke of Jehoshaphat for helping the ungodly; this responds to his alliance with Ahab and links the marriage/alliance to negative moral and political consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself by marriage to Ahab.
- Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he allied himself with Ahab.
2 C.18.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לקץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשמרון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ויזבח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובקר: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויסיתהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- רמות: NOUN,prop,f,pl,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:2 (verbal): Direct parallel account in Kings: Jehoshaphat visits Ahab at Samaria; Ahab makes a feast and persuades him to go to Ramoth‑Gilead (very similar wording).
- 1 Kings 22:3-4 (structural): Continues the same narrative in Kings showing Jehoshaphat's consultation and the gathering of prophets, which corresponds to the broader narrative frame of Chronicles 18.
- 1 Kings 22:29-37 (thematic): Describes the ensuing battle at Ramoth‑Gilead and Ahab's wounding/death— the direct consequence of Ahab's invitation and the expedition mentioned in 2 Chron 18:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- After some years he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria. Ahab slaughtered sheep and oxen in great number for him and for the people who accompanied him, and he persuaded him to go up to Ramoth‑Gilead.
- After some years he went down to Ahab at Samaria; and Ahab slaughtered sheep and oxen in great number for him and for the people who were with him, and he enticed him to go up to Ramoth-gilead.
2 C.18.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- התלך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- רמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כמוני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וכעמך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN+PRON,2,m,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ועמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2ms
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:3-4 (quotation): The parallel account of the same episode in the book of Kings; both describe Ahab inviting Jehoshaphat to join him at Ramoth‑Gilead and Jehoshaphat’s consent (Kings emphasizes consulting the LORD first).
- 1 Kings 22:1 (structural): Sets the broader context shared with Chronicles: Ahab and Jehoshaphat are at peace and have formed an alliance, explaining why Ahab invites Jehoshaphat to a joint military venture.
- 2 Chronicles 18:1 (structural): Immediate Chronicles context which notes the alliance (including a marriage tie) between Israel and Judah that precedes the invitation in 18:3, underscoring the political basis for the joint campaign.
- 1 Kings 22:5 (thematic): Continues the same narrative of a joint military action (Ahab’s plan for the battle and Jehoshaphat’s role), illustrating the practical implications of the pledge 'my people as your people' to fight together.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth‑Gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people; we will be with you in the war."
- And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "I am as you; my people as your people; we will be with you in the battle."
2 C.18.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דרש: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- נא: PART
- כיום: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:5 (quotation): Direct parallel/quotation — Jehoshaphat tells the king of Israel to 'inquire… at the word of the LORD today,' matching the wording and intent of 2 Chronicles 18:4.
- 1 Kings 22:7 (verbal): Jehoshaphat proposes consulting a prophet of the LORD, echoing the initiative to seek divine counsel found in 2 Chr 18:4 (similar phrasing and purpose).
- 1 Kings 22:8 (structural): The narrative immediately continues with Ahab naming Micaiah as the prophet to consult; structurally linked as the same episode about inquiring of the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 9:6 (thematic): Saul suggests going to a 'man of God' to learn the way to go — parallels the broader theme of consulting prophets for divine guidance.
- Deuteronomy 18:15 (thematic): Moses' promise that God will raise up a prophet whom the people must heed provides the theological background for seeking the LORD's word through prophets.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."
- But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "First seek now the word of the LORD."
2 C.18.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הנבאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- הנלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- רמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- אחדל: NUM,card,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:6-7 (quotation): Direct parallel account: Ahab (king of Israel) gathers four hundred prophets who tell him to go to Ramoth‑Gilead and promise victory—chronicles repeats this narrative.
- 1 Kings 22:8-28 (structural): Continuation/contrast in the same episode: Micaiah challenges the four hundred, the true prophecy of disaster is given, and the narrative explains how the king was misled (including the lying‑spirit motif).
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (thematic): Gives the canonical test for a true prophet (if the prediction does not come to pass, the prophet is false); this principle undercuts the credibility of the court prophets who promise success to the king.
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (thematic): Condemns prophets who prophesy 'peace' and favorable outcomes when there is no basis—thematically parallels the flattering court prophets who assure the king of victory.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the king of Israel gathered the prophets—four hundred men—and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth‑Gilead to battle, or shall we desist?" They said, "Go up; and the LORD will give it into the king's hand."
- So the king of Israel gathered the prophets—about four hundred men—and said to them, "Shall we go up to Ramoth-gilead to fight, or shall we desist?" And they said, "Go up; for the LORD will give it into the king's hand."
2 C.18.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האין: PART
- פה: ADV
- נביא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- עוד: ADV
- ונדרשה: VERB,nifal,imperfect,1,pl
- מאתו: PREP
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:7 (quotation): Direct verbal parallel — Jehoshaphat asks the same question about whether there is another prophet of the LORD to inquire of (same episode in the Deuteronomistic narrative).
- 1 Kings 22:1-28 (structural): The broader narrative parallel: the whole Ahab–Jehoshaphat episode with the assembly of prophets and Micaiah, of which 2 Chronicles 18:6 is a condensed retelling.
- Deuteronomy 18:15 (allusion): Thematic background: the expectation that God will raise up prophets whom the people/kings may 'inquire of'—provides the legal/theological basis for seeking a prophet's word.
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (thematic): Illustrates the common Israelite practice of leaders 'inquiring of the LORD' (through prophets or the ephod) for guidance in military and political decisions, paralleling Jehoshaphat’s request to consult a prophet.
- Jeremiah 23:16 (thematic): Contrast with later prophetic literature condemning false prophets: highlights the problem in the 1 Kings/Chronicles episode where many prophets deliver misleading assurance rather than true word from the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?"
- And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may inquire of him?"
2 C.18.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לדרוש: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מאתו: PREP
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- שנאתיהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- איננו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,neg
- מתנבא: VERB,hitp,part,_,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לטובה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- ימיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לרעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימלא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כן: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:8 (verbal): Near-identical wording and situation: Ahab says Micaiah never prophesies good about him but only evil (the same catalogue of Micaiah as a negative prophet).
- 1 Kings 22:1-28 (structural): The full narrative parallel to Chronicles 18: the assembled prophets, Micaiah's true oracle, and the king's rejection—Chronicles retells this episode found in 1 Kings 22.
- Jeremiah 23:16-22 (thematic): Condemns prophets who speak 'peace' when God has not sent them and contrasts false/complaisant prophets with God's true word—parallels the motif of rulers preferring favorable (false) prophecy over unwelcome truth.
- Jeremiah 38:4-6 (thematic): Officials demand that King Zedekiah silence and imprison Jeremiah because his prophecies are harmful to the nation's morale—parallels the punitive reaction of rulers and courtiers toward a prophet who prophesies ill.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good for me, but always evil—he is Micaiah son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."
- The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil—Micaiah the son of Imlah." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."
2 C.18.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- סריס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימלא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:8 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel — the Kings account uses the same wording: the king of Israel tells one of his chamberlains/officers to fetch Micaiah son of Imlah quickly.
- 1 Kings 22:13 (structural): Same narrative sequence in the Kings version: the officer/messenger encounters Micaiah, warns about his speech, and brings him before the king — paralleling the calling-by-officer motif.
- 1 Kings 22:19 (thematic): Provides the prophet’s vision/prophetic context that motivates why Ahab requested Micaiah; thematically connected to the summoned prophet’s role and message at court.
- Jeremiah 38:6 (thematic): Parallel theme of a prophet summoned to or appearing before royal authorities and then punished for delivering an unwelcome word — echoes Micaiah’s subsequent mistreatment after being brought before the king.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king of Israel called a court official and said, "Quick, bring Micaiah son of Imlah."
- Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Go quickly, bring Micaiah the son of Imlah."
2 C.18.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהושפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- יושבים: VERB,qal,ptcp,act,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כסאו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מלבשים: VERB,piel,part,m,pl
- בגדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישבים: CONJ+VERB,qal,part,m,pl
- בגרן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מתנבאים: VERB,hitpael,ptcp,m,pl
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:9 (verbal): Direct parallel—Chronicles repeats the Kings account almost verbatim: the two kings sit on their thrones at the gate of Samaria, clothed, while all the prophets prophesy before them.
- 1 Kings 22:6-8 (structural): Part of the same narrative frame in Kings that introduces the assembly of prophets and Jehoshaphat’s inquiry, showing the same scene-setting and movement toward Micaiah’s intervention.
- 1 Samuel 19:23-24 (thematic): Describes a band of prophets prophesying together (before Saul) and the phenomenon of prophetic groups and Spirit-driven prophecy in the presence of a ruler—parallel motif of collective prophecy before a king.
- 1 Samuel 10:5-6 (thematic): Predicts meeting groups of prophets who will prophesy and the Spirit coming upon Saul—another instance of prophetic bands appearing and prophesying in the context of royal leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, dressed in their robes, in the inner court at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
- Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting, each on his throne, clothed in their robes, at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
2 C.18.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנענה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קרני: NOUN,f,sg,suff1
- ברזל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באלה: PREP+DEM,pl
- תנגח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- כלותם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON:3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:11 (verbal): Direct parallel account: Zedekiah son of Kenaanah makes horns of iron and declares, “Thus says the LORD…,” identical incident in the Kings narrative.
- 1 Kings 22:19-23 (thematic): Same episode's wider context in Kings: the heavenly council and the sending of a lying spirit—explains the prophetic deception behind the staged ‘Thus says the LORD’.
- Jeremiah 23:25-27 (thematic): Condemns prophets who claim ‘Thus says the LORD’ while speaking lies; thematically parallels the misuse of the prophetic formula and false prophecy in 2 Chronicles 18.
- Ezekiel 13:9-10 (thematic): Ezekiel’s rebuke of false prophets who prophesy out of their own heart and lead people astray resonates with Zedekiah’s manufactured oracle (the iron horns) presented as divine.
Alternative generated candidates
- Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, "Thus says the LORD: With these you shall gore Aram until it is destroyed."
- Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, "Thus says the LORD: With these you shall push Aram until they are destroyed."
2 C.18.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הנבאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נבאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כן: ADV
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- רמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והצלח: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:11 (verbal): Nearly identical wording and context — the prophets tell Ahab to go up to Ramoth‑Gilead, promising success and that the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand (Chronicles echoes Kings).
- 1 Kings 22:18-23 (structural): Part of the same narrative: Micaiah exposes that the other prophets were prophesying deception (a lying spirit in the LORD's council) — provides the counterpoint to the prophets' assurance in v.11.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (structural): The Mosaic criterion for testing prophets: if a prophet's prediction does not come to pass, the prophet is false — relevant for assessing the assurances that 'the LORD will give it into the king's hand.'
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (thematic): Jeremiah condemns prophets who speak 'peace' and prosperity when the LORD has not sent them — thematically parallels the false/complacent assurances of victory in 2 Chr 18:11.
- Ezekiel 13:6-9 (thematic): Ezekiel denounces false prophets who prophesy out of their own imagination and mislead the people — echoes the motif of prophets giving deceptive, comforting messages like those in 2 Chr 18:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the prophets prophesied likewise, saying, "Go up to Ramoth‑Gilead and prosper; the LORD will give it into the king's hand."
- All the prophets prophesied similarly, saying, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper; for the LORD will give it into the king's hand."
2 C.18.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמלאך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לקרא: VERB,qal,infc
- למיכיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הנה: PART
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הנבאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- פה: ADV
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- דברך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- כאחד: PREP
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ודברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:13 (quotation): Direct narrative parallel: a messenger tells Micaiah to make his message like the other prophets' favorable words to the king (virtually the same wording in the parallel account).
- Isaiah 30:10-11 (verbal): People demand comforting, smooth words from seers and prophets—‘See not’/‘prophesy not... speak unto us smooth things’—echoes the pressure on Micaiah to speak what pleases the king.
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (thematic): Condemns prophets who 'prophesy lies' and tell the people what they want to hear (peace and prosperity), paralleling the episode's theme of flattering, deceptive prophecy.
- Ezekiel 13:10-16 (allusion): Condemns false prophets who give vain visions and promise peace where there is none; relates to the motif of prophets flattering leaders with false, favorable messages.
Alternative generated candidates
- The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable toward the king; let your word be like one of them and speak favorably."
- And the messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets are unanimous for good to the king; let your word be like one of them, and speak favorably."
2 C.18.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אדבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:14 (verbal): Direct parallel/near-identical wording in the Kings account of the same scene: Micaiah swears 'As the LORD lives' and declares he will speak whatever the LORD tells him.
- 1 Kings 17:1 (verbal): Elijah uses the oath-formula 'As the LORD God of Israel lives' to introduce a prophetic pronouncement — the same living‑LORD oath used to assert divine authority for prophetic speech.
- Jeremiah 1:9 (thematic): God touches Jeremiah's mouth and puts words in it, commissioning him to speak God's message — parallels Micaiah's claim to speak only what the LORD directs (theme of prophetic commission/obedience).
- Ezekiel 3:4-7 (thematic): Ezekiel is commanded to speak God's words to the house of Israel 'whether they hear or refuse,' reflecting the prophet's duty to deliver the LORD's message as Micaiah declares he will do.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak."
- And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak."
2 C.18.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- רמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- אחדל: NUM,card,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- והצליחו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- וינתנו: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,pl
- בידכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:15 (verbal): Near-duplicate wording and exchange: Ahab (the king of Israel) asks Micaiah about going to Ramoth‑gilead, and Micaiah gives the apparent favourable reply, 'Go and prosper; the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.' (Direct verbal parallel between Chronicles and Kings.)
- 1 Kings 22 (structural): The whole episode — Ahab and Jehoshaphat consulting prophets, the false prophets' encouragement, Micaiah's appearance and true prophecy — is retold in Chronicles 18, making Kings 22 the primary structural source parallel.
- Jeremiah 23:16 (thematic): Condemns prophets who prophesy 'peace' and success without divine commission. The theme of false or misleading prophetic assurances that flatter leaders parallels the prophets telling Ahab he should go to battle and prosper.
- Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (thematic): Gives the criterion for distinguishing true and false prophets — if a prophet's word does not come to pass he has spoken presumptuously. Relevant for judging the prophetic assurance given to Ahab about victory.
- Jeremiah 28:8-9 (thematic): Illustrates testing a prophet's word (the conflict between Hananiah and Jeremiah): a prophetic claim must be borne out in time. Echoes the broader concern with verifying prophetic assurances like the 'Go and prosper' message to the king.
Alternative generated candidates
- He came to the king. The king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth‑Gilead to fight, or shall we desist?" He said, "Go up and prosper; and the LORD will give it into the king's hand."
- He came to the king, and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go up to Ramoth-gilead to fight, or shall we desist?" And he said, "Go up and prosper; they shall be given into your hand."
2 C.18.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- כמה: ADV
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- משביעך: VERB,hiphil,ptcp,1,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- תדבר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רק: PRT
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:15 (verbal): Nearly identical wording in the parallel account: the king adjures Micaiah to tell him only the truth in the name of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 22:14 (structural): Immediately adjacent material in the parallel narrative where Micaiah swears, 'As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that will I speak,' framing his obligation to speak God's word.
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (thematic): Contrast between false prophets who speak pleasing words and the true prophet obliged to proclaim the LORD's truth—even if unwelcome to rulers or the people.
- Jeremiah 28:15-17 (thematic): Conflict between a true prophet (Jeremiah) and a false prophet (Hananiah); emphasizes the obligation and consequence tied to speaking what the LORD truly says.
- Ezekiel 3:7-11 (thematic): Ezekiel is commanded to speak God's words to a rebellious house, underscoring the prophet's duty to convey the LORD's message regardless of opposition or the audience's preference.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king said to him, "How many times must I adjure you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
- The king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure you to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
2 C.18.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפוצים: ADJ,pl,m
- על: PREP
- ההרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כצאן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אין: PART,neg
- להן: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אדנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאלה: PREP+DEM,pl
- ישובו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בשלום: PREP
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:17 (quotation): Same prophecy in the parallel account: Micaiah's vision of Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD's verdict that they have no master.
- Ezekiel 34:5-6 (verbal): Uses similar language and imagery: God's flock scattered on the mountains because there was no shepherd, highlighting leaders' failure to care for the people.
- Matthew 9:36 (verbal): Jesus uses the same simile—people 'harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd'—echoing the prophetic motif of a leaderless, scattered people.
- Jeremiah 23:1-2 (thematic): Condemns the shepherds (leaders) who scatter God's flock and promises accountability and future care, thematically parallel to Israel being scattered for lack of a shepherd.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, 'These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'"
- And he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd; and the LORD said, 'These have no master; let each return to his house in peace.'"
2 C.18.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלא: PART
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יתנבא: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- לרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:17 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the same exchange about Micaiah — same wording: Ahab tells Jehoshaphat he expected no prophecy of good, only evil.
- 1 Kings 22:11 (thematic): Earlier in the same narrative many prophets tell Ahab what he wants to hear (assuring victory), highlighting the contrast with Micaiah’s adverse message.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (structural): Gives the Torah’s criterion for distinguishing true and false prophets (a false prophecy as a sign), relevant to the issue of prophets who speak only what a king wishes to hear.
- Jeremiah 23:16 (thematic): Condemns prophets who 'prophesy lies' and tell people what they want to hear rather than God’s word — thematically parallel to Ahab’s reliance on flattering prophets.
- Ezekiel 13:10-11 (thematic): Denounces prophets who prophesy peace when there is no peace (false, comforting or flattering prophecy), comparable to the prophets assuring Ahab of favorable outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"
- Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good about me, but evil?"
2 C.18.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכן: ADV
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כסאו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ימינו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- ושמאלו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:19 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Micaiah's vision in 1 Kings uses the same language of seeing Yahweh seated on his throne with the host of heaven standing at his right and left.
- Isaiah 6:1 (thematic): Throne-vision motif: Isaiah sees the LORD seated on a high and exalted throne with heavenly attendants (seraphim), a similar prophetic court scene.
- Daniel 7:9-10 (allusion): Heavenly court imagery: the 'Ancient of Days' is enthroned with multitudes attending and books opened—parallels the divine council and attendant host surrounding God's throne.
- Revelation 4:2-6 (structural): Apocalyptic throne scene: John’s vision of the heavenly throne with living creatures and elders around it echoes the cosmic court and divine enthronement imagery.
- Psalm 103:19 (thematic): Sovereign enthronement theme: affirms that the LORD has established his throne in the heavens and rules over all, resonating with the depiction of God seated on his throne.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
- And Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
2 C.18.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יפתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ברמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ככה: ADV
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ככה: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:20 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel in Kings: the divine council asks who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead.
- 1 Kings 22:21-23 (quotation): Continuation in Kings describing the spirit that volunteers to be a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets — directly parallels Chronicles' account of the deception.
- 1 Kings 22:29-40 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the council's plot: Ahab goes to Ramoth-gilead, is wounded, and dies — the event planned in the divine council scene.
- Ezekiel 14:9 (thematic): Speaks of God allowing/causing a prophet to be deceived as judgment — thematically parallels the motif of God permitting a deceptive spirit to bring about punishment.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11 (thematic): New Testament parallel about God sending a strong delusion to those who refuse the truth — echoes the idea of divine permission of deception as part of judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth‑Gilead?' And one said thus and another said thus.
- And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' One said one thing, another said another.
2 C.18.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הרוח: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אפתנו: VERB,hiph,impf,1,na,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- במה: PREP+PRON,interr
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:19-23 (verbal): Direct literary parallel — Chronicles 18 recounts the same heavenly council episode found in 1 Kings 22, where a spirit volunteers to deceive Ahab and stands before the LORD.
- 1 Kings 22:22 (verbal): Exact verbal correspondence: the LORD's question to the spirit ('Wherewith?' / 'With what?') appears verbatim in the Kings account.
- Job 1:6 (structural): Depicts a celestial assembly where heavenly beings (and the adversary) 'stand before the LORD,' providing a similar courtroom/heavenly-council setting.
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (structural): Another scene of a heavenly courtroom: Joshua stands before the angel of the LORD while Satan stands to oppose — parallels the motif of standing before God and an adversarial spirit.
- Isaiah 6:8 (thematic): Shared motif of the divine council's speech-act and a deity's question/commissioning ('Whom shall I send?' / 'Wherewith?'), highlighting God’s deliberative speech in the heavenly court.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.'
- Then a spirit went out and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, 'By what means?'
2 C.18.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- והייתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לרוח: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,construct
- כל: DET
- נביאיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תפתה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- תוכל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- צא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כן: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:21-23 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the same scene: a spirit volunteers to be a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab’s prophets and is sent to entice Ahab to go to battle.
- Jeremiah 23:25-32 (thematic): Denounces prophets who speak lies in God’s name and treats false prophecy as divinely judged—similar concern with prophetic deception and divine responsibility for truth/falsehood.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (structural): Gives the law for testing prophets and distinguishing true from false prophecy, providing the legal/ideological framework against which episodes of prophetic lying are judged.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (thematic): New Testament parallel teaching that God judicially gives people over to a deluding influence when they refuse truth—analogous idea of God permitting or sending deception as judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall entice him and you shall succeed; go and do so.'"
- He said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall entice him and shall succeed; go and do so.'"
2 C.18.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הנה: PART
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,construct
- נביאיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 22:23 (quotation): The parallel account in Kings; the same scene in which God puts a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets (Micaiah's vision) — essentially the same wording and narrative.
- 1 Sam 16:14 (verbal): Speaks of 'an evil spirit from the LORD' coming upon Saul—verbal and theological parallel of God sending a troubling/deceptive spirit.
- Judg 9:23 (thematic): Reports that God 'sent an evil spirit' between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; similar motif of God sending a spirit to bring judgment through deception and conflict.
- Isa 19:14 (verbal): Declares that the LORD has 'mingled' a spirit of perversity in the midst of Egypt's counselors—language and concept closely resemble God-caused deception.
- 2 Thess 2:11 (thematic): Paul says God 'sends them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie'—New Testament theological parallel of divine sending of delusion as judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, and the LORD has decreed disaster for you."
- Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.
2 C.18.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגש: VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,sg
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כנענה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- על: PREP
- הלחי: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אי: PRON,interrog
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מאתי: PREP,1,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:24 (quotation): Nearly identical account: Zedekiah son of Chenaanah approaches and strikes Micaiah on the cheek — a direct verbal/ narrative duplicate of 2 Chr 18:23.
- 1 Kings 22:22-23 (allusion): Contextual background to the episode: the LORD permits a lying spirit to influence the prophets who give Ahab favorable oracles, explaining the conflict between Micaiah's true word and the other prophets.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (thematic): Zechariah son of Jehoiada is rebuked by the people and stoned at the king’s command for speaking God’s word — another instance of a prophet physically attacked and punished for an unwelcome prophecy.
- Jeremiah 20:2 (thematic): Pashhur the priest beats Jeremiah and puts him in the stocks for prophesying against Jerusalem — a parallel example of a prophet physically assaulted and silenced for delivering an oracle.
- Ezekiel 3:26-27 (thematic): God renders Ezekiel temporarily unable to speak until the appointed time, reflecting the theme of prophetic speech being controlled, suppressed, or restrained (though here by God rather than human violence).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah drew near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "Which way did the spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?"
- Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "Which way did the spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?"
2 C.18.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- הנך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- חדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להחבא: VERB,hitpael,inf,na,na,na
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:24 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — Micaiah’s line about Ahab ‘seeing on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide’ appears verbatim in the parallel Kings account.
- 1 Kings 22:23 (structural): The preceding scene in Kings describes the heavenly council and the lying spirit sent to entice Ahab’s prophets, the narrative context for Micaiah’s warning about the false prophetic counsel.
- 1 Kings 22:19 (thematic): Micaiah’s vision of the LORD on his throne and the divine council (Kings 22:19) sets the theological frame for the deception and the ominous ‘you will see on that day’ judgment in 2 Chr 18:24.
- 2 Chronicles 18:25 (structural): Immediate continuation within Chronicles: Ahab’s reaction to Micaiah’s prophecy (ordering him seized and confined) directly follows the prediction about hiding in an inner chamber and demonstrates the scene’s narrative outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Micaiah said, "You shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourselves."
- Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourselves."
2 C.18.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קחו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- והשיבהו: VERB,hif,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg,suff:3m
- אל: NEG
- אמון: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:26 (quotation): Direct parallel/quotation of the same command in the parallel account: the king orders Micaiah taken back to Amon the governor and Joash the king's son.
- 1 Kings 22:27 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same narrative in Kings describing Micaiah's imprisonment and the king's instructions about his treatment.
- Jeremiah 38:6 (thematic): Thematic parallel of a prophet being confined/put in a pit or prison by royal officials because of an unwelcome prophetic message delivered to the king.
- Amos 7:12-13 (thematic): Similar theme of a prophet opposed and ordered away by religious/royal authorities (Amaziah reporting Amos to Jeroboam), showing elite resistance to prophetic criticism of the king/leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and bring him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son.
- The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son.
2 C.18.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שימו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והאכלהו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחץ: ADV
- ומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לחץ: ADV
- עד: PREP
- שובי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשלום: PREP
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:27 (verbal): Direct parallel/repetition of the same episode: Ahab orders Micaiah to be put in the prison and fed with scant bread and water until he returns in peace (same wording and command).
- Jeremiah 37:15 (thematic): King Zedekiah has Jeremiah confined in the court of the guard for his prophecies—another instance of a royal ruler imprisoning a prophet because his word is unwelcome.
- Jeremiah 38:6 (thematic): Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern/dungeon and left to suffer for speaking judgment—parallels the motif of harsh confinement and deprivation imposed on a prophet.
- Mark 6:17–18 (thematic): John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod for speaking boldly against the king’s conduct; thematically similar as a prophetic figure jailed for confronting royal wrongdoing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And say, thus says the king: 'Put this fellow in the house of confinement, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of oppression until I return in peace.'"
- And say, 'Thus says the king: Put this man in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I come back in peace.'"
2 C.18.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- אם: CONJ
- שוב: ADV
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- בשלום: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:27 (verbal): Near-identical parallel in the Kings account: Micaiah’s ironic declaration that if the king returns in peace the LORD has not spoken by him, followed by the public summons 'Hear, all you peoples.'
- 1 Kings 22:23 (allusion): Part of the same narrative where a lying spirit is allowed to entice Ahab’s prophets—provides the theological background for the court prophets’ false assurances and Micaiah’s antagonistic oracle.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (thematic): Regulation for testing prophets: a true prophet’s words come to pass; Micaiah’s conditional statement about the word’s fulfillment echoes the OT criterion for prophetic authenticity.
- Jeremiah 28:9 (thematic): Affirms the principle that a prophet who predicts peace is validated when the prediction comes to pass—parallels the concern in 2 Chronicles 18 about distinguishing true from false prophecy by its outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Micaiah said, "If you indeed return in peace, the word of the LORD has not been spoken by me." And he said, "Hear, O all you peoples."
- Micaiah said, "If you indeed return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Hear, all you peoples!"
Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.
After some years he went down to Ahab at Samaria. Ahab slaughtered sheep and oxen in great number for him and for the people with him, and he urged him to go up to Ramoth‑Gilead.
Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth‑Gilead?" He answered him, "I am as you, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the battle." And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "First seek the word of the LORD."
The king of Israel gathered the prophets—four hundred men—and said to them, "Shall we go up to Ramoth‑Gilead to battle?" They said, "Go up; the LORD will give it into the king's hand." And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may inquire of him?"
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man to inquire of the LORD from— but I hate him, for he does not prophesy good of me, but evil all the days; he is Micaiah the son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."
The king of Israel called one of his officers and said, "Quick—bring Micaiah son of Imlah." Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat each on his throne, dressed in robes, sitting in the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, "Thus says the LORD: With these you shall gore Aram, until they are destroyed."
All the prophets prophesied likewise, saying, "Go up to Ramoth‑Gilead and be victorious; the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand."
The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets are all one—favorable to the king. Let your word be like one of them; speak favorably." But Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak."
He came to the king, and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go up to Ramoth‑Gilead to battle?" He said, "Go up and prosper; they will be given into your hand."
The king said to him, "How many times shall I put you under oath to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
He said, "I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, 'These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'"
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"
Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing at his right hand and at his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel that he may go up and fall at Ramoth‑Gilead?' And one said this and another said that.
Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' The LORD said to him, 'How?'
He said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall entice and you shall succeed; go and do so.'" So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, "By what way did the spirit of the LORD pass from me to speak to you?"
Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day when you enter an inner chamber to hide yourself."
The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and bring him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son. And say, 'Thus says the king: Put this man in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I return in peace.'"
Micaiah said, "If you indeed return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Hear, O all you peoples."