2 Chronicles 18:10

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

And Zedekiah {H6667} the son {H1121} of Chenaanah {H3668} had made {H6213} him horns {H7161} of iron {H1270}, and said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, With these thou shalt push {H5055} Syria {H758} until they be consumed {H3615}.

Tzidkiyah the son of Kena'anah had made himself some horns out of iron and said, "This is what ADONAI says: 'With these you will gore Aram until they are destroyed.'"

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.’”

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 18:10 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative leading up to King Ahab of Israel's ill-fated battle at Ramoth-gilead. This verse introduces Zedekiah, a prominent false prophet, who dramatically endorses Ahab's war plans, claiming divine authority.

Context

This verse is part of a larger account detailing the alliance between King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Before going to war against the Arameans (Syrians) for control of Ramoth-gilead, Jehoshaphat wisely requests that Ahab consult a prophet of the LORD. Ahab, however, gathers his 400 court prophets, who all enthusiastically prophesy victory. Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, stands out among them, using a vivid symbolic act to reinforce the message Ahab wanted to hear.

The immediate preceding verses describe Ahab's reluctance to hear from a true prophet, Micaiah, whom he famously "hates" because Micaiah never prophesies good concerning him (2 Chronicles 18:7). Zedekiah's performance is a stark contrast to Micaiah's eventual truthful, though unpopular, prophecy, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between truth and deception.

Key Themes

  • False Prophecy and Deception: Zedekiah's act is a classic example of false prophecy. He claims to speak for the LORD ("Thus saith the LORD") but delivers a message designed to please the king, not convey God's actual will. This highlights the danger of leaders surrounding themselves with agreeable voices rather than truthful ones.
  • Symbolism of Power and Conquest: The "horns of iron" are a powerful visual metaphor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, horns symbolized strength, power, and conquest. Iron further emphasizes an irresistible, crushing force, assuring Ahab of total victory over Syria. This dramatic visual was intended to inspire confidence and solidify the false prophecy.
  • Flattery and Peer Pressure: Zedekiah's actions are part of a concerted effort by Ahab's 400 prophets to flatter the king and pressure him into the war. Their unanimous false declaration stands in opposition to the lone voice of truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "horns" is qeren (קֶרֶן), which consistently denotes power, strength, and often aggressive force or dominion throughout the Old Testament (e.g., the horn of salvation, horns of the altar). The addition of "iron" (barzel, בַּרְזֶל) emphasizes an unyielding, unbreakable, and destructive power, suggesting a complete and utter annihilation of the enemy. Zedekiah's claim "Thus saith the LORD" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - koh amar Yahweh) is the standard prophetic formula, falsely appropriated here to lend divine authority to his deceitful message.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning about the importance of discerning truth, especially when counsel is sought. Just as Zedekiah offered a message pleasing to Ahab, we must be wary of voices that tell us only what we want to hear, rather than what God's Word truly says. The narrative encourages believers to:

  • Test the Spirits: As encouraged in 1 John 4:1, we should not believe every spirit, but test them to see whether they are from God. True prophecy aligns with God's revealed character and Word.
  • Seek God's Will, Not Our Own Desires: Ahab sought confirmation for his own agenda. We should strive to seek God's genuine will, even if it contradicts our plans or desires, trusting that His ways are always best (Proverbs 3:5-6).
  • Value Truth Over Popularity: Micaiah, the true prophet, was unpopular but faithful. This reminds us that truth may not always be popular, but it is always essential.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 3:8 (2 votes)

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • Jeremiah 29:21 (2 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

  • Jeremiah 23:25 (2 votes)

    I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

  • Ezekiel 22:28 (2 votes)

    And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

  • Ezekiel 13:7 (2 votes)

    Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?

  • Jeremiah 23:17 (2 votes)

    They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

  • Jeremiah 27:2 (2 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,