1 Kings 22:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then a spirit stepped up, stood in front of ADONAI and said, 'I will entice him.'

Berean Standard Bible:

Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

American Standard Version:

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And there came forth^{H3318} a spirit^{H7307}, and stood^{H5975} before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068}, and said^{H559}, I will persuade^{H6601} him.

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Commentary for 1 Kings 22:21

1 Kings 22:21 is part of a narrative involving the kings of Israel and Judah, Ahab and Jehoshaphat, who are seeking counsel from prophets regarding a military campaign against the Arameans in Ramoth-gilead. The verse is set within a larger context of a heavenly court scene where God, surrounded by heavenly beings, is deciding the fate of Ahab. In this verse, a spirit—often understood as a member of the divine council or a lesser divine being—volunteers to act as a "lying spirit" in the mouths of all of Ahab's prophets to deceive the king.

The historical context of this passage is the divided monarchy period of Israel's history, where the northern kingdom (Israel) under Ahab's rule was often in conflict with neighboring kingdoms, including Aram-Damascus. Ahab is infamous for his idolatry and for leading Israel into sin, which is a recurring theme in the books of Kings. The narrative reflects the theological perspective of the Deuteronomistic Historian, who emphasizes the importance of fidelity to Yahweh and the consequences of apostasy.

The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God over human affairs and the reality of spiritual forces at work in the world, which can influence human decisions. It also touches on the concept of divine judgment, as God allows Ahab to be deceived as part of the judgment for his disobedience. The verse highlights the idea that God's purposes will be accomplished, even through the use of deception and the manipulation of human agents. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of discerning the true will of God. The story culminates with Ahab's death in battle, fulfilling the prophecy of the true prophet Micaiah, who had warned Jehoshaphat of the deception. This event underscores the theme of the reliability of God's word and the folly of ignoring divine counsel in favor of more favorable but deceitful advice.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
3. Strong's Number: H5975
   There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָמַד
   Transliteration: ʻâmad
   Pronunciation: aw-mad'
   Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6601
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתָה
   Transliteration: pâthâh
   Pronunciation: paw-thaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way) delude; allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade, silly (one).