Imlah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Imlah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the narrative involving the prophet Micaiah. The name "Imlah" is of Hebrew origin, and while the meaning of the name is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, it is often associated with the concept of "whom God will fill" or "fullness."

Biblical Reference:

Imlah is primarily known as the father of the prophet Micaiah. The account of Imlah and his son is found in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. These passages describe a significant event during the reign of King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

In 1 Kings 22:8 , King Ahab of Israel, seeking counsel about going to war against Ramoth-gilead, says to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." This statement highlights the tension between Ahab and Micaiah, as Micaiah was known for delivering messages from God that were often contrary to the desires of the king.

Historical and Theological Context:

The narrative involving Imlah's son, Micaiah, is set during a time of political alliances and conflicts in the ancient Near East. King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah formed an alliance to reclaim the city of Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. Before proceeding with their military campaign, they sought prophetic guidance.

Micaiah, the son of Imlah, stands out as a prophet who remains faithful to the word of the LORD, despite pressure from the king and other prophets who were inclined to tell Ahab what he wanted to hear. This account underscores the biblical theme of the true prophet's role as a mouthpiece for God, often standing in opposition to prevailing political and social pressures.

Significance:

The mention of Imlah, though brief, serves to identify Micaiah and situate him within the broader narrative of Israel's history. The account of Micaiah, son of Imlah, is a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's word, even in the face of opposition and potential persecution. It also highlights the tension between true and false prophecy, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.

Imlah's legacy, through his son Micaiah, is one of courage and integrity in the prophetic ministry. The account encourages believers to seek and uphold the truth of God's word, regardless of external pressures or the popularity of the message.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Imlah

plentitude; circumcision

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IMLA; IMLAH

im'-la (yimlah, "fullness"?): Father of the prophet Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8, 9 2 Chronicles 18:7, 8).

Strong's Hebrew
3229. Yimla -- father of the prophet Micaiah
... Yimla or Yimlah. 3230 . father of the prophet Micaiah. Transliteration: Yimla
or Yimlah Phonetic Spelling: (yeem-law') Short Definition: Imlah. ... Imla, Imlah. ...
/hebrew/3229.htm - 6k
Library

Ahab and Micaiah
... 8. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the
son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/ahab and micaiah.htm

Micaiah's Courage in Telling the Truth
... other prophet of Jehovah, that we may ask him?" The ruler of Israel answered, "There
is another by whom we may ask of Jehovah, Micaiah, the son of Imlah, but I ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/micaiahs courage in telling the.htm

Self-Destruction
... of? Ahab told him that there was one, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but that
he hated him, because he only prophesied evil of him. What ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... that he should be overcome and slain by the king of Syria, and that for this cause
he had him now in prison, and that his name was Micaiah, the son of Imlah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Jehoshaphat
... "Is there not here a prophet of the Lord," he asked, "that we might inquire of him?"
Verse 6. "There is yet one man, Micaiah to son of Imlah, by whom we may ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... prophet, whose severe denunciation of a disobedient person's slaughter by a lion
had lately come to pass, was no other than Micaiah, the son of Imlah, who, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Thesaurus
Imlah (4 Occurrences)
... IMLA; IMLAH. im'-la (yimlah, "fullness"?): Father of the prophet Micaiah (1 Kings
22:8, 9 2 Chronicles 18:7, 8). Multi-Version Concordance Imlah (4 Occurrences) ...
/i/imlah.htm - 8k

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Who is like Jehovah?, the son of Imlah, a faithful
prophet of Samaria (1 Kings 22:8-28). Three years after ...
/m/micaiah.htm - 21k

Imla (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IMLA; IMLAH. im'-la (yimlah, "fullness"?): Father
of the prophet Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8, 9 2 Chronicles 18:7, 8). ...
/i/imla.htm - 7k

Micai'ah (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'There is yet one man
by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him ...
/m/micai'ah.htm - 13k

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)
... thither. (DBY). 1 Kings 22:9 Then the king of Israel called a chamberlain,
and said, Fetch quickly Micah the son of Imlah. (DBY). ...
/c/chamberlain.htm - 14k

Micah (54 Occurrences)
... (5.) "The Morasthite," so called to distinguish him from Micaiah, the son of Imlah
(1 Kings 22:8 ... (8) The son of Imlah. See MICAIAH, (7). John A. Less. MICAH (2). ...
/m/micah.htm - 38k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... and said to Ahab, "With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed."
He also endeavored to weaken the influence of Micaiah ben Imlah upon the ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:9 Then the king of Israel sent for one of his unsexed servants and said,
Go quickly and come back with Micaiah, the son of Imlah. (BBE). ...
/u/unsexed.htm - 15k

Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat: 'There is yet one man
by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him ...
/j/jehosh'aphat.htm - 27k

Imla's (1 Occurrence)

/i/imla's.htm - 6k

Resources
Who was Micaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Imlah (4 Occurrences)

1 Kings 22:8
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." Jehoshaphat said, "Don't let the king say so."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 22:9
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, "Quickly get Micaiah the son of Imlah."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 18:7
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah; but I hate him, for he prophesies no good concerning me, but always evil: it is Micah the son of Imlah. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
(DBY YLT RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 18:8
Then the king of Israel called a chamberlain, and said, Fetch quickly Micah the son of Imlah.
(DBY YLT RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Imlah

Related Terms

Immaculate

Imlah (4 Occurrences)

Imla: Father of Michaiah the Prophet
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