2 chronicles 18:21 - “He said, ‘I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ “He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.’
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 chronicles 18:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 18:21 is part of a larger narrative involving King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Context:
King Jehoshaphat of Judah agrees to join King Ahab of Israel in battle against the Arameans to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead.
Jehoshaphat suggests Ahab inquire of the Lord. Ahab gathers 400 prophets who all prophesy success.
Jehoshaphat is uneasy and asks if there is another prophet of the Lord. Ahab reluctantly mentions Micaiah, but says he always prophesies negatively about him.
Micaiah is summoned and initially gives a positive response, seemingly mocking the other prophets. However, Ahab demands he tell the truth.
Micaiah then delivers a prophecy of doom, which includes the vision described in the verse you quoted.
The Interpretation of the Verse (2 Chronicles 18:21):
"He said, ‘I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’" This part is spoken by a spirit offering to deceive Ahab. The "He" refers to the Lord (God), who is presiding over a heavenly council. This spirit volunteers to be a "lying spirit," meaning it will inspire Ahab's prophets to deliver false prophecies.
"He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.’" This is God's response to the spirit. God is allowing the spirit to carry out its plan. God acknowledges that the spirit will be successful in deceiving Ahab.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Divine Sovereignty: The passage highlights the idea of God's ultimate sovereignty. God is aware of the spirit's plan and permits it to happen. This raises complex theological questions about free will and divine control.
Testing and Judgment: Some interpret this passage as God testing Ahab. Ahab, being a wicked king who turned away from God, is being given a chance to repent. However, because his heart is hardened, he is susceptible to the deception. It also acts as a judgement of Ahab and his following of false prophets.
Responsibility: While God allows the deception, Ahab bears the responsibility for his choices. He chose to listen to the 400 false prophets who told him what he wanted to hear, rather than heeding the true prophet Micaiah.
Not a Command to Lie: It's crucial to understand that God is not commanding the spirit to lie. Rather, He is allowing the spirit to act according to its nature and Ahab's willingness to be deceived.
Understanding the Spirit: The nature of the "lying spirit" is open to interpretation. Some see it as a literal evil spirit, while others view it as a metaphor for the pervasive nature of falsehood.
Warning: The story serves as a warning about the dangers of seeking confirmation bias and surrounding oneself with those who only tell you what you want to hear. It emphasizes the importance of seeking truth, even when it is difficult or unwelcome.
In essence, the verse portrays a scene in the divine realm where God permits a spirit to deceive Ahab through false prophets. This deception ultimately leads to Ahab's downfall, demonstrating the consequences of rejecting true prophecy and embracing falsehood.
This passage is complex and has been subject to various theological interpretations. It raises questions about divine sovereignty, free will, and the nature of good and evil. It's important to consider the entire narrative and its context when interpreting this particular verse.
2 chronicles 18:21 - “He said, ‘I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ “He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.’
What does "2 chronicles 18:21" mean?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 18:21 is part of a larger narrative involving King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Context:
King Jehoshaphat of Judah agrees to join King Ahab of Israel in battle against the Arameans to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead.
Jehoshaphat suggests Ahab inquire of the Lord. Ahab gathers 400 prophets who all prophesy success.
Jehoshaphat is uneasy and asks if there is another prophet of the Lord. Ahab reluctantly mentions Micaiah, but says he always prophesies negatively about him.
Micaiah is summoned and initially gives a positive response, seemingly mocking the other prophets. However, Ahab demands he tell the truth.
Micaiah then delivers a prophecy of doom, which includes the vision described in the verse you quoted.
The Interpretation of the Verse (2 Chronicles 18:21):
"He said, ‘I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’" This part is spoken by a spirit offering to deceive Ahab. The "He" refers to the Lord (God), who is presiding over a heavenly council. This spirit volunteers to be a "lying spirit," meaning it will inspire Ahab's prophets to deliver false prophecies.
"He said, ‘You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.’" This is God's response to the spirit. God is allowing the spirit to carry out its plan. God acknowledges that the spirit will be successful in deceiving Ahab.
Key Points and Interpretations:
Divine Sovereignty: The passage highlights the idea of God's ultimate sovereignty. God is aware of the spirit's plan and permits it to happen. This raises complex theological questions about free will and divine control.
Testing and Judgment: Some interpret this passage as God testing Ahab. Ahab, being a wicked king who turned away from God, is being given a chance to repent. However, because his heart is hardened, he is susceptible to the deception. It also acts as a judgement of Ahab and his following of false prophets.
Responsibility: While God allows the deception, Ahab bears the responsibility for his choices. He chose to listen to the 400 false prophets who told him what he wanted to hear, rather than heeding the true prophet Micaiah.
Not a Command to Lie: It's crucial to understand that God is not commanding the spirit to lie. Rather, He is allowing the spirit to act according to its nature and Ahab's willingness to be deceived.
Understanding the Spirit: The nature of the "lying spirit" is open to interpretation. Some see it as a literal evil spirit, while others view it as a metaphor for the pervasive nature of falsehood.
Warning: The story serves as a warning about the dangers of seeking confirmation bias and surrounding oneself with those who only tell you what you want to hear. It emphasizes the importance of seeking truth, even when it is difficult or unwelcome.
In essence, the verse portrays a scene in the divine realm where God permits a spirit to deceive Ahab through false prophets. This deception ultimately leads to Ahab's downfall, demonstrating the consequences of rejecting true prophecy and embracing falsehood.
This passage is complex and has been subject to various theological interpretations. It raises questions about divine sovereignty, free will, and the nature of good and evil. It's important to consider the entire narrative and its context when interpreting this particular verse.