2 Chronicles 18:7

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יֹאמַ֥ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל׀

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶֽל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט

H3092

And Jehoshaphat

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

ע֣וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אִישׁ

H376

man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶחָ֡ד

H259

There is yet one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לִדְרוֹשׁ֩

H1875

by whom we may enquire

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

#10

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

יְהוָ֨ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

מֵֽאֹת֜וֹ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#13

וַֽאֲנִ֣י

H589

#14

שְׂנֵאתִ֗יהוּ

H8130

but I hate

to hate (personally)

#15

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

אֵ֠ינֶנּוּ

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#17

מִתְנַבֵּ֨א

H5012

him for he never prophesied

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

#18

עָלַ֤י

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#19

לְטוֹבָה֙

H2896

good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

#20

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#21

כָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#22

יָמָ֣יו

H3117

unto me but always

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#23

לְרָעָ֔ה

H7451

evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#24

ה֖וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#25

מִיכָ֣יְהוּ

H4321

the same is Micaiah

mikajah, the name of three israelites

#26

בֶן

H1121

the son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#27

יִמְלָ֑א

H3229

of Imla

jimla or jimlah, an israelite

#28

יֹאמַ֥ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#29

יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט

H3092

And Jehoshaphat

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

#30

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#31

יֹאמַ֥ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#32

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

#33

כֵּֽן׃

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 18 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?