Chenaanah is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the prophetic events surrounding the reign of King Ahab of Israel. He is primarily recognized as the father of Zedekiah, a false prophet who played a significant role in the narrative of 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. These passages provide insight into the spiritual and political climate of Israel during a time of conflict and apostasy.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 22:11 : "Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, 'This is what the LORD says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'"

2. 2 Chronicles 18:10 : "Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, 'This is what the LORD says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'"

In these passages, Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, is depicted as one of the prophets who falsely assured King Ahab of victory in his campaign against Ramoth-gilead. Zedekiah's dramatic use of iron horns as a prophetic symbol was intended to visually reinforce his message of triumph, claiming divine endorsement for Ahab's military endeavors. This act of false prophecy is set against the backdrop of a larger narrative where true prophecy, represented by Micaiah son of Imlah, stands in stark contrast to the misleading assurances given by Zedekiah and his fellow prophets.

Historical and Theological Context:

The account of Chenaanah's son, Zedekiah, highlights the tension between true and false prophecy in ancient Israel. During this period, the nation was often led astray by prophets who spoke not from divine revelation but from their own desires or the expectations of those in power. The presence of false prophets like Zedekiah underscores the spiritual decline and the susceptibility of Israel's leaders to deception when they turned away from the covenantal faithfulness required by God.

Theologically, the narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of discerning God's true voice amidst competing claims. It also illustrates the consequences of rejecting genuine prophetic warnings, as Ahab's decision to heed the false assurances ultimately led to his downfall.

Chenaanah's Legacy:

While Chenaanah himself is not the central figure in the biblical text, his mention as the father of Zedekiah places him within the broader narrative of Israel's prophetic history. The legacy of his son serves as a reminder of the critical role that prophets played in guiding or misleading the people and their leaders. The account of Zedekiah son of Chenaanah invites reflection on the responsibility of those who claim to speak for God and the need for vigilance in testing the spirits to discern truth from falsehood.1 Kings 22:11,24
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus said the LORD, With these shall you push the Syrians, until you have consumed them.
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2 Chronicles 18:10,23
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus said the LORD, With these you shall push Syria until they be consumed.
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The Ascension of Isaiah.
... And Manasseh and Balkira and the false prophets, the princes and ... Amos the prophet
and Amoz the father of Isaiah ... Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah (1 Kings 22:11) is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

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