Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֫הוּ
False prophet who opposed Micaiah
Who is Zedekiah in the Bible?
Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, was a false prophet during the reign of King Ahab of Israel who led the king astray with deceptive prophecies. When Ahab sought counsel about attacking Ramoth-gilead, Zedekiah and other court prophets encouraged the military campaign, with Zedekiah fashioning iron horns as a symbolic promise of victory (1 Kings 22:11). The true prophet Micaiah, however, warned that the battle would result in Ahab's defeat and death, directly contradicting Zedekiah's message. Enraged by this contradiction, Zedekiah struck Micaiah and challenged his credibility (1 Kings 22:24), yet Micaiah prophesied that Zedekiah would hide in shame when the truth was revealed. Zedekiah's role illustrates the biblical contrast between false prophets who tell kings what they want to hear and true prophets who deliver God's authentic message, even at great personal cost.
Biography
Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, was a false prophet during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. When Ahab sought advice about attacking Ramoth-gilead, Zedekiah, along with other prophets, encouraged the king to go to war, promising victory. He made iron horns and symbolically declared that Ahab would gore the Syrians. However, the prophet Micaiah contradicted their message, prophesying Ahab's defeat and death. Zedekiah struck Micaiah and accused him of lying. Micaiah responded by saying that Zedekiah would hide in an inner chamber when his false prophecy was revealed. Ahab listened to Zedekiah and the other false prophets, leading to his death in battle.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 22:11
"Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”"
- 1 Kings 22:24
"Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”"
2 Chronicles 2 verses
- 2 Chronicles 18:10
"Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”"
- 2 Chronicles 18:23
"Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | צִדְקִיָּ֫הוּ | ṣidĕqiyāh | Tsidkijah , the name of six Israelites |