מִיכָֽיְהוּ (mi.kha.ye.hu)
mi.kha.ye.hu
Micaiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Micaiah, meaning "who is like God," identifies three distinct figures in the Hebrew Bible, each playing a specific role during Israel’s turbulent history. The earliest appears in Judges as an Ephraimite who established a private shrine and hired a Levite priest, illustrating the religious fragmentation of that era (Judges 17). His story highlights how personal devotion often diverged from central worship.
A more prominent bearer of the name is Micaiah son of Imlah, a prophet during the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Ahab. He stands out for his unwavering commitment to truth, famously predicting King Ahab’s death despite pressure to conform to the voices of four hundred other prophets (1 Kings 22). This narrative underscores the tension between political convenience and divine integrity.
The third figure is Michaiah son of Gemariah, mentioned in Jeremiah’s time. He served as an official in the temple, carrying messages regarding the Babylonian siege (Jeremiah 36). While less narratively dramatic than his predecessor, his presence connects the prophetic tradition to the final days of Judah’s monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Micaiah means "who is like God," a question that echoes through Scripture as a reminder of God's unique sovereignty. While several men bore this name, one stands out for his courage: Micaiah son of Imlah. He stood alone against four hundred prophets who told King Ahab what he wanted to hear. When pressured to conform, Micaiah declared, "As Yahweh lives, what Yahweh says to me, that I will speak" (1 Kings 22:14). His story shows that truth often requires standing firm even when it is unpopular or dangerous.
This word reminds us that our faithfulness is not measured by how many people agree with us, but by our loyalty to God's word. In seasons where cultural pressure mounts to silence biblical convictions, Micaiah’s example invites us to trust God’s voice above human approval. We are called to speak truth with love, knowing that God honors integrity over comfort.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Micaiah17×
- [was] Micaiah1×
- [is] Micaiah1×
- O Micaiah1×
- <to>/ Micaiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִיכָ֔יְהוּ6×
- מִיכָ֖יְהוּ3×
- מִיכָֽיְהוּ\׃2×
- מִיכָ֥יְהוּ2×
- מִיכָ֑יְהוּ2×
- מִכָ֨יְהוּ1×
- מִכָ֔יְהוּ1×
- מִיכָ֣יְהוּ1×
- מִיכָ֙יְהוּ֙1×
- מִיכָ֗יְהוּ1×
- לְ/מִיכָ֗יְהוּ1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 22:14
Micaiah said, “As Yahweh lives, what Yahweh says to me, that I will speak.”
This verse captures Micaiah's defining commitment to divine truth over royal pressure, establishing him as a model of prophetic integrity.
-
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.”
The king’s reluctant admission highlights the tension between political convenience and the uncomfortable reality of God’s word.
-
Judges 17:1
There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah.
This early occurrence introduces a different Micaiah, illustrating the religious fragmentation and personal idolatry prevalent in Israel's early history.