English · KJV
H4320

מִיכָיָה

Mîykâyâh /me-kaw-yaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom מִי and (the prefix derivative from) כִּי and יָהּ
Meaningwho (is) like Jah?; Micajah, the name of two Israelites
KJV usageMicah, Michaiah. Compare מִיכָה.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Mîykâyâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew name Mîykâyâh, represented by H4320, means "who (is) like Jah?". It appears as Micah or Michaiah in translations. Though it appears only 4 times in 4 unique verses, it is associated with several distinct individuals in Israel's history.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The name H4320 is used to identify individuals in prophetic, priestly, and official roles. In Jeremiah 26:18, it refers to Micah the Morasthite who prophesied H5012 during the reign of King Hezekiah. In the book of Nehemiah, a priest named Michaiah is listed with other priests serving with trumpets Nehemiah 12:41, and he is also mentioned as an ancestor in a priestly lineage Nehemiah 12:35. Finally, Michaiah is named as the father of Achbor, an official who was commanded H6680 by the king 2 Kings 22:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help contextualize the roles of the individuals named Mîykâyâh:

  • H5012 nâbâʼ (to prophesy): This verb describes the primary action of Micah H4320, who was inspired to speak H559 a message from the LORD Jeremiah 26:18.
  • H6680 tsâvâh (to constitute, enjoin): This word defines the royal authority exerted over the group that included the son of Michaiah H4320, when the king commanded H6680 them to carry out a task 2 Kings 22:12.
  • H559 ʼâmar (to say): This common verb for speaking is used to introduce the direct words of Micah's prophecy Jeremiah 26:18 and the king's instructions 2 Kings 22:12.
  • H5608 çâphar (to inscribe, and also to enumerate): This word is used for the title of Shaphan the scribe H5608, who was present with the son of Michaiah H4320 when receiving the king's command 2 Kings 22:12.

Theological Significance

The significance of H4320 is found in the important spheres of influence its bearers occupied.

  • Prophetic Authority: The name is tied to the prophetic office through Micah H4320, who delivered a divine word that was remembered and cited centuries later Jeremiah 26:18.
  • Priestly Lineage and Service: Michaiah H4320 is linked to the formal worship of Israel, identified both in a priestly genealogy and as an active participant in temple services with trumpets (Nehemiah 12:35, Nehemiah 12:41).
  • Connection to Royalty: The name is associated with the royal court, as Michaiah H4320 was the father of Achbor, a man tasked with a royal command by the king 2 Kings 22:12.

Summary

In summary, Mîykâyâh H4320 is a theophoric name posing the rhetorical question "who (is) like Jah?". While its biblical usage is infrequent, it is consistently connected to individuals of consequence. The name appears in the context of prophecy, priestly duties, and royal administration, demonstrating its association with key leadership roles in the religious and civil life of ancient Israel.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִיכָיָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5012 נָבָא a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), H6680 צָוָה a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with H559 אָמַר a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, H5608 סָפַר a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to en

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Nehemiah (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
2 Kings
2
Nehemiah
1
Jeremiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.