2 Chronicles 18:22 kjv
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
2 Chronicles 18:22 nkjv
Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you."
2 Chronicles 18:22 niv
"So now the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you."
2 Chronicles 18:22 esv
Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The LORD has declared disaster concerning you."
2 Chronicles 18:22 nlt
"So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the LORD has pronounced your doom."
2 Chronicles 18 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 22:23 | So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets... | Direct parallel to 2 Chron 18:22 |
| Eze 14:9 | And if the prophet is enticed to utter a word...I the LORD have enticed that prophet... | God uses enticement for judgment |
| 2 Thes 2:11-12 | Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false... | God's judicial hardening of those who reject truth |
| Rom 1:24, 28 | God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity...God gave them up to a debased mind... | God's giving up as a form of judgment |
| Deut 13:1-5 | If a prophet arises among you...and says, ‘Let us go after other gods’...kill him. | Testing and condemnation of false prophets |
| Deut 18:20-22 | But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak...shall die. | Consequence for speaking false prophecy |
| Jer 14:14 | The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them... | False prophets deceive without God's command |
| Jer 23:25-32 | I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name... | Condemnation of prophets who prophesy dreams/lies |
| Eze 13:1-7 | Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit... | False prophets follow their own thoughts |
| Matt 7:15 | Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing... | Warning against deceptive prophets in the NT |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But false prophets also arose among the people... | Warning against false teachers in the church |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... | Need for discernment concerning spirits and teachings |
| Isa 45:7 | I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity... | God's sovereignty over good and evil (calamity) |
| Lam 3:37-38 | Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?... | Nothing happens without God's decree |
| Prov 16:4 | The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. | God's purpose for all things, including the wicked |
| Amos 3:6 | Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? | God as the ultimate source of calamity |
| Jer 27:10-15 | For they are prophesying a lie to you...and I will banish you... | Consequences of heeding false prophets |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... | Ignorance of God's truth leads to destruction |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often reproved, yet hardens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. | Danger of persistent disobedience and rejection of correction |
| 2 Kgs 3:18 | This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD. He will also give the Moabites into your hand. | Examples of God's prophetic declaration |
| Isa 19:14 | The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of confusion... | God sends confusing spirits for judgment |
| Judg 9:23 | God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the people of Shechem... | God sends evil spirits for His purposes |
| Psa 78:49 | He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, a company of destroying angels. | God's deployment of agents of destruction for judgment |
| Hab 2:1-3 | For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. | True prophecy waits, but is certain to come to pass |
2 Chronicles 18 verses
2 Chronicles 18 22 Meaning
This verse declares the divine judgment against King Ahab, delivered through the prophet Micaiah. It reveals that the unanimous favorable prophecies given to Ahab were orchestrated by the LORD, who placed a deceptive spirit within the mouths of those false prophets. This was done to lead Ahab to his doom at Ramoth-gilead, demonstrating God's sovereign control even over malevolent spiritual forces to accomplish His predetermined purposes of judgment. The second part explicitly states the LORD's direct declaration of disaster against Ahab, affirming the certainty and divine origin of his impending demise.
2 Chronicles 18 22 Context
2 Chronicles 18:22 is a pivotal statement within the narrative of King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Ahab seeks to recover Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans and solicits the alliance of Jehoshaphat. Before going to war, Ahab gathers 400 of "his" prophets who uniformly give favorable predictions, encouraging Ahab to attack. Jehoshaphat, however, senses a lack of genuine divine approval and asks for a prophet of the LORD. This leads to the summoning of Micaiah, who is known for consistently prophesying evil against Ahab. Micaiah initially delivers a sarcastic "go up and triumph" prophecy, but then, under duress, he relays a vivid vision from the LORD's heavenly court. In this vision (2 Chron 18:18-21), Micaiah sees the LORD asking who would entice Ahab to fall. A "spirit" volunteers to be a "lying spirit" in the mouths of Ahab's prophets, and the LORD approves this plan. Verse 22, therefore, serves as the direct application and explanation of this heavenly decree: the reason Ahab's prophets were unified in their deception was by the direct orchestrating hand of the LORD to bring about Ahab's predetermined demise. Historically, this incident takes place during the Divided Kingdom period, where Ahab represents the epitome of idolatry and rebellion against God in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while Jehoshaphat, though largely righteous in Judah, compromises his faith by allying with the wicked Ahab. The account highlights God's justice against unrepentant kings and the dangers of associating with those who lead away from the LORD.
2 Chronicles 18 22 Word analysis
- Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - vĕ'atāh): A transitional phrase that draws a conclusion from the preceding statement or revelation. In this context, it directly follows Micaiah's vision of the divine council, connecting that heavenly decision to its earthly manifestation. It signals a definitive explanation.
- behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection used to call attention to something remarkable, significant, or immediately about to happen. It emphasizes the importance and certainty of Micaiah's revelation.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating the sovereign and self-existent God of Israel. Its use here signifies that this is not some random act or fate, but a deliberate action by the true, active God, even if the method involves a spirit of deception.
- has put (נָתַן - natan): Literally "has given," "has placed," or "has allowed to be placed." This verb signifies an active, purposeful placement or instigation, not mere passive permission. God directly enabled or caused this "lying spirit" to act as an instrument of His judgment. It denotes His complete authority.
- a lying spirit (רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר - ruach sheker):
- רוּחַ (ruach): Meaning "spirit," "wind," or "breath." In this context, it refers to an immaterial being or influence, distinct from human prophets.
- שֶׁקֶר (sheker): Meaning "lie," "falsehood," "deception."
- in the mouth of these your prophets: The direct instrumentality of the deception. The "mouth" is the organ of prophecy. "These your prophets" clearly distinguishes them as Ahab's own, not true prophets of the LORD, implying they were already disposed to flatter and deceive or were willing vessels for this deception. They are identified with Ahab, underscoring their corruption.
- and the LORD (וַיהוָה - va'YHWH): Again, emphasizes God's continued involvement and the divine source of the pronouncement.
- has declared (דִּבֶּר - dibber): Meaning "has spoken," "has proclaimed," or "has decreed." It implies a formal, authoritative pronouncement, a definitive sentence. God's declaration is effective and sure.
- disaster (רָעָה - ra'ah): Meaning "evil," "harm," "calamity," "trouble," "misfortune." In this context, it signifies the negative outcome, the predetermined judgment of divine punishment for Ahab's wickedness and rejection of God.
- against you (עָלֶיךָ - aleykha): Directly pointed at King Ahab. This clarifies that the judgment is personal and inescapable for him.
2 Chronicles 18 22 Bonus section
This verse and its broader context (2 Chronicles 18:18-22, paralleling 1 Kings 22:19-23) offer a profound insight into the concept of the "divine council." This is not a human-like debate, but a representation of God's transcendent and purposeful planning, where spiritual beings execute His will. The "lying spirit" is a distinct entity commissioned by God for a specific judgmental purpose against those already ripe for condemnation. It speaks to the mystery of divine justice and hardening, where continued rejection of God's truth results in an increase of delusion. The passage emphasizes that God's declarations of "disaster" or "evil" (depending on translation) are not moral evil but punitive actions or calamitous events serving His holy purpose and judgment against human sin. Discernment is a key takeaway: recognizing true prophets requires looking beyond comforting words to whether their message aligns with God's character and already revealed truth, and if it stands the test of fulfillment.
2 Chronicles 18 22 Commentary
2 Chronicles 18:22 reveals God's absolute sovereignty, extending even to the deployment of deceptive spiritual forces as agents of judgment. This is not to suggest God is the author of evil or tempts individuals to sin (Jas 1:13); rather, He uses instruments, including the inclination of wicked men and even spiritual beings, to execute His righteous judgments. In Ahab's case, he had consistently rejected God's true prophets (like Elijah and Micaiah) and embraced idolatry and those who spoke what pleased him. As a consequence, God "gave him over" to deception, allowing a lying spirit to confirm Ahab's chosen delusion, leading him to his destruction. This demonstrates a form of divine hardening: when truth is consistently rejected, God may allow or send strong delusions. The passage serves as a powerful warning about the danger of preferring flattery over truth and underscores the certain, unchangeable nature of God's declared judgment against persistent wickedness. It exemplifies that God's plan unfolds irresistibly, even leveraging what seems antithetical to His nature to achieve His holy will.