21A spirit came out and stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’
22Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ He said, ‘I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will entice him, and will also prevail. Go out and do so.’
23Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.”
21 A spirit came out and stood before Yahweh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’
22 Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ He said, ‘I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will entice him, and will also prevail. Go out and do so.’
23 Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.”
KJVKing James Version
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Show all 3 translations
JPSJPS Tanakh (1917)
21 And there came forth the spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said: I will entice him.
22 And the LORD said unto him: Wherewith? And he said: I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets; and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.'
Judges 9:23(v22)Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Ezekiel 14:9(vv22–23)“ ‘ “If the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, Yahweh, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand on him, and will…
Isaiah 6:9-10(v23)He said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You hear indeed, but don’t understand. You see indeed, but don’t perceive.’ Make the heart of this…
Matthew 24:24-25(v23)For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even…
2 Chronicles 25:16(v23)As he talked with him, the king said to him, “Have we made you one of the king’s counselors? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” Then the…
Show all 40 cross-references
Isaiah 3:11(v23)Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for the deeds of his hands will be paid back to him.
Isaiah 44:20(v23)He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside; and he can’t deliver his soul, nor say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
Deuteronomy 2:30(v23)But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might…
1 Samuel 16:14(v22)Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.
1 Samuel 19:9(v22)An evil spirit from Yahweh was on Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing with his hand.
1 Kings 20:42(v23)He said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life will…
Numbers 23:19-20(v23)God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and…
Numbers 24:13(v23)‘If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond Yahweh’s word, to do either good or bad from my own mind. I…
1 Samuel 18:10(v22)On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand,…
1 Kings 22:8-11(v23)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,…
1 Kings 22:20(v22)Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One said one thing; and another said another.
Job 1:8-11(v22)Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one…
Job 12:16(v22)With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12(v22)even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness…
Revelation 13:14(v22)He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast, saying to those who dwell…
Revelation 16:13-14(v22)I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean…
Revelation 20:10(v22)The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be…
Exodus 4:21(v23)Yahweh said to Moses, “When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I…
Exodus 10:20(v23)But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go.
1 Kings 21:19(v23)You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says,…
1 Kings 22:23(v21)Now therefore, behold, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and Yahweh has spoken evil concerning you.”
Job 1:6-7(v21)Now on the day when God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan also came among them. Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you…
Job 2:1(v21)Again, on the day when the God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan came also among them to present himself before Yahweh.
Job 2:4-6(v22)Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand now, and…
Ezekiel 14:3-5(v23)“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I…
Matthew 13:13-15(v23)Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. In them the…
John 8:44(v22)You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand…
1 Timothy 4:1(v22)But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of…
1 John 4:6(v22)We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the…
Revelation 12:9-10(v22)The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown…
Revelation 17:17(v22)For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of…
Revelation 20:3(v22)and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were…
Revelation 20:7(v22)And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison,
Psalms 109:17(v22)Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him.
Acts 5:3-4(v22)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? While…
40 distinct cross-references across this passage (41 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv21–22Here we see that though the devil be ever…
Here we see that though the devil be ever ready to bring us to destruction, yet he hath no further power than God giveth him.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv21–231Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and…
1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
Ver. 21. And there came forth a spirit.] An evil spirit, haply, from the left hand of God’s throne.
Read full note →
I will persuade him.] {See Trapp on "1Ki 22:6"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv21–22An evil spirit came out of the knot or…
An evil spirit came out of the knot or company of them, standing possibly on the left hand, and presented himself before the throne, as having something to say to the Lord.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv21–23But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near,.... Stepped…
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near,.... Stepped in haste and passion from the place where he was:
and smote Micaiah on the cheek; in contempt of him, and to show his indignation at what he said; this he did in open court, before two kings; one he believed would favour and screen him in this lawless action, and the other, out of his own jurisdiction, had not courage and presence of mind to resent it:
Read full note →
and said, which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? hereby boasting that he had the Spirit of the Lord, and was directed by him in what he said, and still remained with him, and could not possibly go to Micaiah, and suggest the very reverse; and therefore pertly asks him which way the spirit went, intimating that it was impossible he could steer a course contrary to himself.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv21–22A spirit - An evil spirit came, and presented…
A spirit - An evil spirit came, and presented himself before the throne.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv22–23Verse 22. Go forth, and do so.] This is…
Verse 22. Go forth, and do so.] This is no more than, "God has permitted the spirit of lying to influence the whole of thy prophets; and he now, by my mouth, apprises thee of this, that thou mayest not go and fall at Ramoth-gilead." Never was a man more circumstantially and fairly warned; he had counsels from the God of truth, and counsels from the spirit of falsity; he obstinately forsook the former and followed the latter. He was shown by this parable how every thing was going on, and that all was under the control and direction of God, and that still it was possible for him to make that God his friend whom by his continual transgressions he had made his enemy; but he would not: his blood was therefore upon his own head.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn v231Ki 22:23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put,…
1Ki 22:23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put, &c. — It is frequent in the Holy Scriptures to call that the Lord’s doing which he only permits to be done; because he has the supreme direction of all things, and governs the event. Wicked devices proceed from wicked men and wicked spirits: but, that they prevail and take effect, is owing to the hand of God directing and ordering when and where they shall light, and what shall be the issue of them. Hath put a lying spirit into the mouth, &c. — Hath permitted a lying spirit to influence these men. Hath spoken evil concerning thee — Hath decreed that thou shalt perish in this war. It may not be amiss to observe here, that “the evil being, named Satan, was little known to the Jewish people till their captivity; and then this history was taught openly as a security against the doctrine of the two principles. The Jewish lawgiver, where he so frequently enumerates and warns the Israelites of the snares and temptations which would draw them to transgress the law of God, never mentions this capital enemy of heaven. Nay, when the form of that sacred history which Moses composed obliged him to treat of Satan’s first grand machination against mankind, he entirely hides this wicked spirit under the animal which he made his instrument; but, as the fulness of time drew near, they were made more and more acquainted with this their capital enemy. When Ahab, for the crimes and follies of the people, was suffered to be infatuated, we have the account in the words of Micaiah above. Satan is not here recorded by name; and so we must conclude the people were yet to know little of his history: however, this undertaking sufficiently declared his nature.” Div. Leg., vol. 4. p. 279.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv21–22A spirit - “The spirit “ - which some…
A spirit - “The spirit “ - which some explain as “the evil spirit” - i. e. Satan; others as simply “the spirit” who should “persuade.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn v22Go forth, and do so. This was not a…
Go forth, and do so. This was not a command, but a permission; for God never ordaineth lies, though he often permitteth the lying spirit to deceive those who love not the truth, 2 Thessalonians ii. 10. And in this sense it is said in the following verse, the Lord hath given a lying spirit in the mouth of all thy prophets. (Challoner) --- What is translated in the imperative, denotes frequently what will come to pass, though it be displeasing to God. (Calmet) --- He permits it, therefore, only by not exerting his power to prevent the execution. (Haydock) --- The devils can do nothing without such a permission. Achab deserved to be deceived by the false prophets, as he would not hearken to a true one. (St. Augustine, contra Jul. v. 4., and q. 53. inter. 83.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv21–2221. There came forth a spirit — Literally, the…
21. There came forth a spirit — Literally, the spirit; that is, the particular spirit that served as the agent of Divine judgment in this judicial blinding of Ahab’s heart. This spirit was but one of that vast host of evil powers whose ministry so largely affects the children of disobedience. This scene before the throne of the Lord is in perfect keeping with that recorded in Job_1:6-12. it is not merely vision and parable, but, in harmony with other Scriptures, opens to us the knowledge of a vast host of unseen spirits, going to and fro seeking whom they may destroy, (2 Peter 5:8,) yet all held in check, and often, if not always, used by Jehovah himself to execute his wise and holy purposes.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv21–2321. And there came forth a spirit] The Hebrew…
21. And there came forth a spirit] The Hebrew has ‘the spirit’ as is noted on the margin of the R.V. It seems therefore to imply some definite power which imparted to prophets their gifts; the prophetic spirit. That God allowed this power to delude Ahab was because of the king’s persistence in evil. God therefore gives him over to it, and causes the prophets whom he has chosen for himself, to the rejection of Micaiah and such as he, to be the instruments of his destruction. Thus when Isaiah is sent to rebellious Israel (Isa_6:10) his mission is described as of this nature. God says to him ‘Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.’ In this wise and with like effect comes the spirit from God into the mouths of Ahab’s four hundred.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv21, 23(21) A spirit.—It should be the spirit. The definite…
(21) A spirit.—It should be the spirit. The definite article is explained by some, perhaps rather weakly, as simply anticipatory of the description which follows. Others take the phrase to signify “the spirit of prophecy,” a kind of emanation from the Godhead, looked upon as the medium of the prophetic inspiration, which is an expression conceivable, but certainly unprecedented. Perhaps without introducing into this passage the distinct idea of “the Satan,” i.e., the enemy, which we find in Job 1, 2; 1Ch_21:1; Zec_3:1-2. it may be best to interpret it by the conception, common to all religions recognising the terrible existence of evil in the world, of a spiritual power of evil (called euphemistically, “the spirit”) overruled to work out the judgments of God. The absolute subordination of such spirits of evil in every notice of them in the Old Testament precludes all danger of the monstrous dualism of so many Eastern religions. The reference of the power of divination to such spirits is found in the New Testament also. (See Act_16:16-18.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv21–23And there came forth a spirit Heb. the spirit.…
And there came forth a spirit Heb. the spirit. By some, especially of the earlier commentators, understood of the evil spirit. But the view now generally adopted (Thenius, Keil, Bahr) is that "the spirit of prophecy" is meant, "the power which, going forth from God and taking possession of a man, makes him a prophet. (1Sa_10:6, 10 19:20, 23) The aybn; is the jWrh vyai" (Hos_9:7) Bahr. This power is here personified, and stood before the Lord, and said, I emphatic in the Hebrew will persuade or entice him.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v21be a lying spirit in the mouth of all…
be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
Here the word "spirit" refers to the attitudes of the prophets and the words "the mouth" represents what they will say. AT: "cause all his prophets to speak lies" (See: Metonymy)
Read full note →
see
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours
Here the word "spirit" refers to the attitudes of the prophets and the words "the mouth" represents what they will say. AT: "has caused all of your prophets to speak lies" (See: Metonymy)
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv21–22 Here we see that though the devil be ever…
Here we see that though the devil be ever ready to bring us to destruction, yet he hath no further power than God giveth him.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–23 1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and…
1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
Ver. 21. And there came forth a spirit.] An evil spirit, haply, from the left hand of God’s throne.
Read full note →
I will persuade him.] {See Trapp on "1Ki 22:6"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21–22 An evil spirit came out of the knot or…
An evil spirit came out of the knot or company of them, standing possibly on the left hand, and presented himself before the throne, as having something to say to the Lord.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–23 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near,.... Stepped…
But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near,.... Stepped in haste and passion from the place where he was:
and smote Micaiah on the cheek; in contempt of him, and to show his indignation at what he said; this he did in open court, before two kings; one he believed would favour and screen him in this lawless action, and the other, out of his own jurisdiction, had not courage and presence of mind to resent it:
Read full note →
and said, which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? hereby boasting that he had the Spirit of the Lord, and was directed by him in what he said, and still remained with him, and could not possibly go to Micaiah, and suggest the very reverse; and therefore pertly asks him which way the spirit went, intimating that it was impossible he could steer a course contrary to himself.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv21–22 A spirit - An evil spirit came, and presented…
A spirit - An evil spirit came, and presented himself before the throne.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv22–23 Verse 22. Go forth, and do so.] This is…
Verse 22. Go forth, and do so.] This is no more than, "God has permitted the spirit of lying to influence the whole of thy prophets; and he now, by my mouth, apprises thee of this, that thou mayest not go and fall at Ramoth-gilead." Never was a man more circumstantially and fairly warned; he had counsels from the God of truth, and counsels from the spirit of falsity; he obstinately forsook the former and followed the latter. He was shown by this parable how every thing was going on, and that all was under the control and direction of God, and that still it was possible for him to make that God his friend whom by his continual transgressions he had made his enemy; but he would not: his blood was therefore upon his own head.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v23 1Ki 22:23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put,…
1Ki 22:23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put, &c. — It is frequent in the Holy Scriptures to call that the Lord’s doing which he only permits to be done; because he has the supreme direction of all things, and governs the event. Wicked devices proceed from wicked men and wicked spirits: but, that they prevail and take effect, is owing to the hand of God directing and ordering when and where they shall light, and what shall be the issue of them. Hath put a lying spirit into the mouth, &c. — Hath permitted a lying spirit to influence these men. Hath spoken evil concerning thee — Hath decreed that thou shalt perish in this war. It may not be amiss to observe here, that “the evil being, named Satan, was little known to the Jewish people till their captivity; and then this history was taught openly as a security against the doctrine of the two principles. The Jewish lawgiver, where he so frequently enumerates and warns the Israelites of the snares and temptations which would draw them to transgress the law of God, never mentions this capital enemy of heaven. Nay, when the form of that sacred history which Moses composed obliged him to treat of Satan’s first grand machination against mankind, he entirely hides this wicked spirit under the animal which he made his instrument; but, as the fulness of time drew near, they were made more and more acquainted with this their capital enemy. When Ahab, for the crimes and follies of the people, was suffered to be infatuated, we have the account in the words of Micaiah above. Satan is not here recorded by name; and so we must conclude the people were yet to know little of his history: however, this undertaking sufficiently declared his nature.” Div. Leg., vol. 4. p. 279.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv21–22 A spirit - “The spirit “ - which some…
A spirit - “The spirit “ - which some explain as “the evil spirit” - i. e. Satan; others as simply “the spirit” who should “persuade.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v22 Go forth, and do so. This was not a…
Go forth, and do so. This was not a command, but a permission; for God never ordaineth lies, though he often permitteth the lying spirit to deceive those who love not the truth, 2 Thessalonians ii. 10. And in this sense it is said in the following verse, the Lord hath given a lying spirit in the mouth of all thy prophets. (Challoner) --- What is translated in the imperative, denotes frequently what will come to pass, though it be displeasing to God. (Calmet) --- He permits it, therefore, only by not exerting his power to prevent the execution. (Haydock) --- The devils can do nothing without such a permission. Achab deserved to be deceived by the false prophets, as he would not hearken to a true one. (St. Augustine, contra Jul. v. 4., and q. 53. inter. 83.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21–22 21. There came forth a spirit — Literally, the…
21. There came forth a spirit — Literally, the spirit; that is, the particular spirit that served as the agent of Divine judgment in this judicial blinding of Ahab’s heart. This spirit was but one of that vast host of evil powers whose ministry so largely affects the children of disobedience. This scene before the throne of the Lord is in perfect keeping with that recorded in Job_1:6-12. it is not merely vision and parable, but, in harmony with other Scriptures, opens to us the knowledge of a vast host of unseen spirits, going to and fro seeking whom they may destroy, (2 Peter 5:8,) yet all held in check, and often, if not always, used by Jehovah himself to execute his wise and holy purposes.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21. And there came forth a spirit] The Hebrew…
21. And there came forth a spirit] The Hebrew has ‘the spirit’ as is noted on the margin of the R.V. It seems therefore to imply some definite power which imparted to prophets their gifts; the prophetic spirit. That God allowed this power to delude Ahab was because of the king’s persistence in evil. God therefore gives him over to it, and causes the prophets whom he has chosen for himself, to the rejection of Micaiah and such as he, to be the instruments of his destruction. Thus when Isaiah is sent to rebellious Israel (Isa_6:10) his mission is described as of this nature. God says to him ‘Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.’ In this wise and with like effect comes the spirit from God into the mouths of Ahab’s four hundred.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21, 23 (21) A spirit.—It should be the spirit. The definite…
(21) A spirit.—It should be the spirit. The definite article is explained by some, perhaps rather weakly, as simply anticipatory of the description which follows. Others take the phrase to signify “the spirit of prophecy,” a kind of emanation from the Godhead, looked upon as the medium of the prophetic inspiration, which is an expression conceivable, but certainly unprecedented. Perhaps without introducing into this passage the distinct idea of “the Satan,” i.e., the enemy, which we find in Job 1, 2; 1Ch_21:1; Zec_3:1-2. it may be best to interpret it by the conception, common to all religions recognising the terrible existence of evil in the world, of a spiritual power of evil (called euphemistically, “the spirit”) overruled to work out the judgments of God. The absolute subordination of such spirits of evil in every notice of them in the Old Testament precludes all danger of the monstrous dualism of so many Eastern religions. The reference of the power of divination to such spirits is found in the New Testament also. (See Act_16:16-18.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21–23 And there came forth a spirit Heb. the spirit.…
And there came forth a spirit Heb. the spirit. By some, especially of the earlier commentators, understood of the evil spirit. But the view now generally adopted (Thenius, Keil, Bahr) is that "the spirit of prophecy" is meant, "the power which, going forth from God and taking possession of a man, makes him a prophet. (1Sa_10:6, 10 19:20, 23) The aybn; is the jWrh vyai" (Hos_9:7) Bahr. This power is here personified, and stood before the Lord, and said, I emphatic in the Hebrew will persuade or entice him.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v21 be a lying spirit in the mouth of all…
be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
Here the word "spirit" refers to the attitudes of the prophets and the words "the mouth" represents what they will say. AT: "cause all his prophets to speak lies" (See: Metonymy)
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"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours
Here the word "spirit" refers to the attitudes of the prophets and the words "the mouth" represents what they will say. AT: "has caused all of your prophets to speak lies" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
spirit
decree
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.