a contr. for מִיכָיְהוּ; Mikehu, an Israelite prophet; Micaiah (2 Chronicles 18:8).
Transliteration:Mîykâhûw
Pronunciation:me-kaw'-hoo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4319}}` (Mîykâhûw) is a contracted form of the more common name `{{H4321}}` (Mîykâyâhuw) or `{{H4320}}` (Mîykâyâ). The name is a theophoric compound, meaning "Who is like Yahweh?" or "Who is like God?". This rhetorical question serves as a profound theological statement, implicitly affirming the incomparable nature, power, and uniqueness of the God of Israel. It suggests that no other being, deity, or power can stand in comparison to Yahweh. The semantic range thus encompasses not merely an identification of a person but also a declaration of absolute divine supremacy.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The specific form `{{H4319}}` (Mîykâhûw) occurs in the Hebrew Bible primarily at [[2 Chronicles 18:8]], where it refers to Micaiah, the son of Imlah. This prophet is central to a critical narrative found in both [[1 Kings 22]] and [[2 Chronicles 18]]. King Ahab of Israel, in alliance with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, sought prophetic counsel before engaging in battle against Ramoth-Gilead. While 400 court prophets unanimously declared a favorable outcome, Micaiah was the sole voice to contradict them.
Micaiah, when pressed, initially offered a sarcastic affirmation of the false prophets' message, but then, under oath, delivered Yahweh's true word: Israel would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd, and Ahab would fall in battle. His prophetic vision, as recorded in [[1 Kings 22:19-23]], revealed a heavenly council where a deceiving spirit was commissioned by God to mislead Ahab's prophets, leading the king to his demise. This profound and unsettling vision underscores God's sovereignty even over deception, using it to accomplish His righteous judgment. Micaiah's unwavering commitment to speaking God's unpopular truth, despite facing imprisonment and hardship, stands in stark contrast to the sycophancy of the 400 false prophets. His message was direct, unyielding, and ultimately proven true.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words are the fuller forms of the same name: `{{H4321}}` (Mîykâyâhuw) and `{{H4320}}` (Mîykâyâ). These forms are used interchangeably in the biblical text to refer to the same prophet, underscoring the common practice of abbreviating names in ancient Hebrew.
Beyond direct linguistic connections, the study of Micaiah's narrative connects to several crucial biblical concepts:
* **True vs. False Prophecy:** Micaiah serves as a paradigmatic example of a true prophet, characterized by fidelity to God's word regardless of popular opinion or personal cost, contrasting sharply with the false prophets who spoke what the king desired to hear.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The vision of the heavenly council highlights God's ultimate control over human affairs, including the permission of deception to achieve His righteous purposes.
* **The Cost of Truth:** Micaiah's imprisonment ([[1 Kings 22:27]]) illustrates the suffering often endured by those who faithfully proclaim God's unvarnished truth.
* **Theological Significance of Names:** Like many biblical names, "Micaiah" is not arbitrary but reflects a core theological truth or a hope concerning the individual's life or role.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4319}}` (Mîykâhûw) is deeply intertwined with the life and message of the prophet Micaiah. His very name, "Who is like Yahweh?", becomes a living testament to the truth he proclaimed. In a court filled with prophets who proclaimed what was convenient rather than what was true, Micaiah alone stood as a witness to the incomparable nature of Yahweh. His message demonstrated that no earthly king, no multitude of false voices, and no human will could ultimately thwart the sovereign plan of the unique God.
Micaiah's vision of the heavenly court is a profound theological statement on divine governance. It reveals that God is not merely reacting to human choices but is actively orchestrating events, even allowing for spiritual deception, to bring about His just judgments. This emphasizes Yahweh's absolute authority and His transcendence over all created beings and spiritual forces. Micaiah's unwavering courage in the face of royal displeasure and the opposition of 400 prophets underscores the paramount importance of prophetic integrity and the divine call to speak truth to power, regardless of the consequences. His life embodies the rhetorical question of his name, affirming Yahweh's unparalleled uniqueness and authority in a world prone to humanistic delusions of control.
### Summary
`{{H4319}}` (Mîykâhûw) is a contracted form of a Hebrew name meaning "Who is like Yahweh?", a rhetorical question affirming God's incomparable nature. This specific transliteration appears in [[2 Chronicles 18:8]], referring to the prophet Micaiah, son of Imlah. His story, detailed in [[1 Kings 22]] and [[2 Chronicles 18]], portrays him as a solitary, courageous prophet who faithfully delivered God's unpopular truth to King Ahab, contradicting 400 false prophets. Micaiah's narrative is a powerful exposition on true prophecy, the absolute sovereignty of God, and the cost of prophetic integrity. His life and message serve as a living embodiment of his name, declaring that indeed, none is like Yahweh.
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