2 Chronicles 18:26
New International Version
and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

New Living Translation
Give them this order from the king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’”

English Standard Version
and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’”

Berean Standard Bible
and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

King James Bible
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

New King James Version
and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I return in peace.” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
and say, ‘This is what the king says: “Put this man in prison, and feed him enough bread and water to survive until I return safely.”’”

NASB 1995
and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely."’”

NASB 1977
and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison, and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this man in prison and feed him sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’”

Amplified Bible
and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this man in prison and feed him just enough bread and water to survive until I return in peace (safely).”’”

Christian Standard Bible
and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this guy in prison and feed him only a little bread and water until I come back safely.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this guy in prison and feed him only bread and water until I come back safely.’”

American Standard Version
and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

Contemporary English Version
Tell them to put him in prison and to give him nothing but bread and water until I come back safely."

English Revised Version
and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say, 'This is what the king says: Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return home safely.'"

Good News Translation
Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely."

International Standard Version
Give him this order: 'Place him in prison on survival rations only until I come back safely.'"

Majority Standard Bible
and tell them that this is what the king says: ?Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.??

NET Bible
Say, 'This is what the king says: "Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I return safely."'"

New Heart English Bible
and say, 'Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace."'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this man in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

World English Bible
and say, ‘The king says, “Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.”’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have said, Thus said the king: Put this [one] in the house of restraint, and cause him to eat bread of oppression, and water of oppression, until my return in peace.”

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have said, Thus said the king, Put ye this one in the house of restraint, and cause him to eat bread of oppression, and water of oppression, till my return in peace.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And say, Thus said the king, Put ye this in the house of the prison, and feed him with bread of oppression and water of oppression till my turning back in peace.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in prison, and give him bread and water in a small quantity till I return in peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall say: ‘Thus says the king: Send this man to prison, and give to him a little bread and a little water, until I return in peace.’ ”

New American Bible
and say, ‘This is the king’s order: Put this man in prison and feed him scanty rations of bread and water until I come back in safety!’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
and say, ‘Thus says the king: Put this fellow in prison, and feed him on reduced rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And say, Thus says the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I return in peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say: ‘Thus says the King, throw this one into the house of prisoners and feed him bread to preserve life and give him drinking water to preserve life until whenever I will return in peace.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I return in peace.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and ye shall say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow into the prison house, and let him eat the bread of affliction, and drink the water of affliction, until I return in peace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
25And the king of Israel declared, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 26and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’” 27But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”…

Cross References
1 Kings 22:27
and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

Jeremiah 38:6
So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Jeremiah 37:15-16
The officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and placed him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison. / So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time.

Matthew 27:2
They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

Mark 15:1
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.

Luke 23:1
Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.

John 18:28
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

Acts 12:4
He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Acts 16:23-24
And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. / On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Genesis 39:20
So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison,

Jeremiah 20:2
he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:2-3
At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard, which was in the palace of the king of Judah. / For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

Jeremiah 37:21
So King Zedekiah gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Matthew 5:25
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Matthew 10:18
On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.


Treasury of Scripture

And say, Thus said the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

Put

2 Chronicles 18:15
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

2 Chronicles 16:10
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

1 Kings 22:26-28
And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; …

this fellow

1 Samuel 25:21
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

bread of affliction

Psalm 80:5
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

Psalm 102:9
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

Isaiah 30:20
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

until I return

Deuteronomy 29:19
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

Psalm 10:5
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

Proverbs 14:16
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

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Affliction Bread Cause Eat Fare Feed Fellow Food House King's Oppression Order Peace Prison Restraint Safely Scant Sparingly Water
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Affliction Bread Cause Eat Fare Feed Fellow Food House King's Oppression Order Peace Prison Restraint Safely Scant Sparingly Water
2 Chronicles 18
1. Jehoshaphat, joined in affinity with Ahab, is persuaded to go against Ramoth Gilead
4. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, according to the word of Micaiah, is slain there














and tell them that this is what the king says:
This phrase indicates a command from a king, highlighting the authority and power of a monarch in ancient Israel. In the context of 2 Chronicles 18, the king is Ahab, the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab's reign is marked by idolatry and opposition to the prophets of Yahweh. The phrase underscores the king's attempt to assert control over the situation, reflecting the common practice of kings issuing decrees that were to be followed without question. This mirrors other instances in the Bible where kings issue commands, such as King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:10.

‘Put this man in prison:
The man referred to here is Micaiah, a prophet of the Lord. Micaiah had prophesied against King Ahab, predicting his defeat and death in battle. Imprisonment of prophets was not uncommon when their messages were unfavorable to the ruling powers, as seen with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:15-16). This reflects the tension between true prophets of God and the political authorities who often rejected divine warnings.

and feed him only bread and water:
This phrase indicates a form of punishment and deprivation. Bread and water were the most basic sustenance, symbolizing minimal provision and hardship. This treatment was intended to humiliate and weaken Micaiah, reflecting the king's disdain for the prophet's message. It also serves as a metaphor for spiritual deprivation, contrasting with the abundance of spiritual nourishment found in obedience to God (Amos 8:11).

until I return safely.’”
Ahab's statement reveals his confidence in returning from battle, despite Micaiah's prophecy of his demise. This reflects a common human tendency to ignore divine warnings and rely on one's own understanding. The phrase is ironic, as it foreshadows Ahab's death in battle, fulfilling Micaiah's prophecy (2 Chronicles 18:33-34). This highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and the certainty of God's word, as seen in other prophetic fulfillments throughout Scripture (Isaiah 55:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Ahab
The king of Israel who sought counsel from prophets before going to battle. He is known for his idolatry and opposition to God's prophets.

2. King Jehoshaphat
The king of Judah who allied with Ahab for the battle against Ramoth-gilead, seeking a true word from the Lord.

3. Micaiah
A prophet of the Lord who was known for speaking the truth, even when it was unpopular or dangerous. He prophesied against Ahab's plans.

4. Prison
The place where Micaiah was sent as a result of his prophecy, symbolizing the rejection of God's truth by those in power.

5. Ramoth-gilead
The location of the battle where Ahab sought to reclaim territory, which becomes the setting for the fulfillment of Micaiah's prophecy.
Teaching Points
Courage in Truth-Telling
Micaiah's example teaches us the importance of standing firm in God's truth, even when it leads to personal suffering or rejection.

Discernment in Alliances
Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of aligning with those who do not honor God.

The Cost of Disobedience
Ahab's disregard for God's warning through Micaiah ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating the consequences of ignoring divine counsel.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Micaiah's imprisonment reminds us that faithfulness to God may lead to trials, but His truth remains steadfast and will ultimately prevail.(26) Bread of affliction, and with water of affliction.--In the Hebrew the second word (lahats) is not a genitive but an accusative, "bread with stint," "water with stint." Literally, squeezing. Vulg., "panis modicum et aquae pauxillum." Syriac, "bread (enough) to keep life, and water (enough) to keep life." (Comp. Isaiah 30:20.)

Until I return.--A correction of until I come (Kings).

Verse 26. - Only the slightest differences are noticeable between this verse and the parallel, this latter using the sign of the objective case (which in this instance would probably lend some contemptuousness of expression), and using the word "come" instead of return.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and tell them
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֗ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

that this is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Put
שִׂ֥ימוּ (śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

this [man]
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

in prison
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

and feed him
וְהַאֲכִלֻ֜הוּ (wə·ha·’ă·ḵi·lu·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

only bread
לֶ֤חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

and water
וּמַ֣יִם (ū·ma·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

until
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

I return
שׁוּבִ֥י (šū·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

safely.’”
בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (ḇə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 18:26 And say Thus says the king Put (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
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