יִמְלָה (yim.lah)
yim.lah
Imlah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yimlah, spelled יִמְלָה in Hebrew, appears only four times in the Old Testament, primarily within the narratives of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. It identifies a specific individual from the era of the Divided Monarchy who is best known as the father of the prophet Micaiah. This textual scarcity means the word functions almost exclusively as a proper noun rather than a common term with broader semantic range.
Lexical sources interpret the name’s meaning as "whom God will fill up" or "God fills." While this etymology suggests a theological sentiment about divine provision, the text itself does not elaborate on the father’s personal life or spiritual significance. He serves primarily as a genealogical marker that establishes the lineage of Micaiah, whose prophetic ministry is central to the accounts of King Ahab.
Because Yimlah appears in such limited contexts, his role in Scripture is defined by his relationship to his son rather than independent action. The sources highlight him only as the parent of Micaiah, ensuring that readers can trace the prophet’s background within the historical records of Israel’s kings. His name remains a minor but necessary detail in the broader biblical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yimlah appears in Scripture not as a standalone story, but as the father of the prophet Micaiah. In a time when kings surrounded themselves with yes-men, this family line produced a voice that spoke truth to power. The meaning of his name, often understood as 'God fills,' resonates quietly in how God used his son to fill the silence of false prophecy with honest warning.
For you, this connection reminds us that God often works through ordinary families and unexpected relationships. You do not need to be a famous leader to play a vital part in God’s story. By trusting Him, your life can become a channel for His truth, just as Micaiah did for King Ahab.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Imlah4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִמְלָֽה\׃1×
- יִמְלָֽא\׃1×
- יִמְלָ֑ה1×
- יִמְלָ֑א1×
Key Verses
-
I 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.”
This verse introduces Yimlah by identifying his son Micaiah as the only prophet willing to speak truth against King Ahab's false assurances.
-
I Kings 22:9
Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, “Quickly get Micaiah the son of Imlah.”
The king’s urgent command to retrieve Micaiah highlights the tension between political convenience and divine truth, rooted in Yimlah’s lineage.
-
II Chronicles 18:7
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t let the king say so.”
This parallel account reinforces that Micaiah’s identity as 'the son of Imlah' was central to his role as a reliable witness for Yahweh.