Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’” New Living Translation One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!” English Standard Version And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’” Berean Standard Bible Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” Berean Literal Bible And Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself horns of iron, and he said, “Thus says YHWH: ‘With these you shall gore Aram until they are consumed.’” King James Bible And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. New King James Version Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.’ ” New American Standard Bible Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed!’” NASB 1995 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” NASB 1977 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” Legacy Standard Bible And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” Amplified Bible Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans (Syrians) until they are destroyed.’” Berean Annotated Bible Now Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) son of Chenaanah (trader) had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans (exalted) until they are finished off. Christian Standard Bible Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.’” American Standard Version And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. Contemporary English Version Zedekiah son of Chenaanah was one of the prophets. He had made some horns out of iron and shouted, "Ahab, the LORD says you will attack the Syrians like a bull with iron horns and wipe them out!" English Revised Version And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. GOD'S WORD® Translation Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said, "This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will push the Arameans to their destruction." Good News Translation One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab, "This is what the LORD says: 'With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.'" International Standard Version Chenaanah's son Zedekiah made iron horns for himself and told them, "This is what the LORD says, 'With these horns you are to gore the Arameans until they are eliminated!'" NET Bible Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, "This is what the LORD says, 'With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed.'" New Heart English Bible Zedekiah the son of Kenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'With these you shall push the Arameans, until they are consumed.'" Webster's Bible Translation And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou hast consumed them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” World English Bible Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘With these you will push the Syrians, until they are consumed.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Zedekiah son of Chenaanah makes horns of iron for himself and says, “Thus said YHWH: By these you push the Arameans until they are consumed”; Berean Literal Bible And Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself horns of iron, and he said, “Thus says YHWH: ‘With these you shall gore Aram until they are consumed.’” Young's Literal Translation And Zedekiah son of Chenaanah maketh for himself horns of iron, and saith, 'Thus said Jehovah, By these thou dost push the Aramaeans till they are consumed;' Smith's Literal Translation And Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, will make to him horns of iron: and he will say, Thus said Jehovah, With these shalt thou push Aram till thou finished them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Sedecias the son of Chanaana made himself horns of iron, and said: Thus saith the Lord: With these shalt thou push Syria, till thou destroy it. Catholic Public Domain Version Also, Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, made for himself horns of iron, and he said, “Thus says the Lord: With these, you shall threaten Syria, until you destroy it.” New American Bible Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, made himself two horns of iron and said, “The LORD says, With these you shall gore Aram until you have destroyed them.” New Revised Standard Version Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron, and he said, “Thus says the LORD: With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Zedekiah the son of a Canaanitish woman made for himself horns of iron; and he said, Thus says the LORD: With these you shall pierce the Arameans, until you have destroyed them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Tsedeqia, son of a Canaanitess, made for himself horns of iron, and said: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: with these you shall gore the Edomites until you finish them!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said: 'Thus saith the LORD: With these shalt thou gore the Arameans, until they be consumed.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Sedekias son of Chanaan made for himself iron horns, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria, until it be consumed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ahab and the False Prophets…10Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 11Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” 12And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”… Cross References Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah 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 shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” 2 Chronicles 18:11 And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.” 2 Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?” had made for himself iron horns Zechariah 1:18-21 Then I looked up and saw four horns. / So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he told me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” / Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. … 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.” Psalm 75:10 “All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.” and declared, “This is what the LORD says: Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Ezekiel 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. Amos 3:8 The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy? ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans 2 Kings 13:17 “Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.” Deuteronomy 33:17 His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.” 1 Kings 20:28 Then the man of God approached the king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said that the LORD is a god of the hills and not of the valleys, I will deliver all this great army into your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” until they are finished off.’” Deuteronomy 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Joshua 11:12 Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and put them to the sword. He devoted them to destruction, as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Jeremiah 28:10-11 Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it. / And in the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what the LORD says: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations.’” At this, Jeremiah the prophet went on his way. Treasury of Scripture 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. horns of iron Jeremiah 27:2 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, Jeremiah 28:10-14 Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it… Zechariah 1:18-21 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns… Thus saith Jeremiah 23:17,25,31 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you… Jeremiah 28:2,3 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon… Jeremiah 29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes; Jump to Previous Aramaeans Arameans Chenaanah Chena'anah Completely Consumed Declared End Exterminated Gore Horns Iron Kenaanah Maketh Push Pushing Syrians With Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJump to Next Aramaeans Arameans Chenaanah Chena'anah Completely Consumed Declared End Exterminated Gore Horns Iron Kenaanah Maketh Push Pushing Syrians With Zedekiah Zedeki'ah1 Kings 22 1. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, by Michaiah's word, is slain at Ramoth Gilead37. The dogs lick up his blood, and Ahaziah succeeds him 41. Jehoshaphat's good reign 45. His acts 46. Jehoram succeeds him 51. Ahaziah's evil reign Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah Zedekiah is identified as a prophet, though not a true prophet of God. His lineage, being the son of Chenaanah, is mentioned to distinguish him from other individuals with the same name. In the context of 1 Kings 22, Zedekiah is one of the 400 prophets who falsely assure King Ahab of victory. This highlights the presence of false prophets in Israel, contrasting with the true prophet Micaiah. The name Zedekiah means "Yahweh is righteousness," which is ironic given his role in misleading Ahab. had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. Zedekiah son of ChenaanahA false prophet who made iron horns as a symbolic act to support his prophecy. He claimed to speak for the LORD, encouraging King Ahab to go to war against the Arameans. 2. Iron Horns Symbolic objects crafted by Zedekiah to visually represent his prophecy of victory over the Arameans. Horns in biblical symbolism often represent strength and power. 3. The LORD The God of Israel, whom Zedekiah falsely claimed to represent in his prophecy. 4. Arameans The people against whom King Ahab of Israel was planning to wage war. They were a frequent adversary of Israel during this period. 5. King Ahab The king of Israel who sought counsel from prophets regarding his military campaign against the Arameans. Teaching Points Discernment in ProphecyBelievers must exercise discernment when evaluating prophetic messages, ensuring they align with God's revealed Word and character. Symbolism and Its Power Symbols can powerfully convey messages, but they must be grounded in truth. Christians should be cautious of symbolic acts that are not rooted in Scripture. The Danger of False Assurance False prophets can provide a false sense of security. True assurance comes from God's promises, not human declarations. Accountability for Leaders Leaders, both spiritual and political, are accountable for the guidance they provide. They must seek God's truth earnestly and avoid misleading those they lead. The Role of True Prophets True prophets speak God's truth, even when it is unpopular or challenging. Believers should value and seek out voices that faithfully represent God's Word. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 22:11?2. How does Zedekiah's action in 1 Kings 22:11 reflect false prophecy dangers today? 3. What role does symbolism play in Zedekiah's prophecy in 1 Kings 22:11? 4. How can we discern true prophecy from false, as seen in 1 Kings 22:11? 5. Compare Zedekiah's actions with other biblical false prophets. What patterns emerge? 6. How should Christians respond to modern-day "prophets" claiming divine authority like Zedekiah? 7. What is the significance of Zedekiah's iron horns in 1 Kings 22:11? 8. How does 1 Kings 22:11 reflect the role of prophets in ancient Israel? 9. Why did Zedekiah claim divine authority for his prophecy in 1 Kings 22:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 22? 11. Comparing 2 Chronicles 18 with 1 Kings 22, how can both accounts be inerrant if they present varying details about the same event? 12. Who were Josiah's sons? 13. Deuteronomy 33:17 promises Joseph a strength likened to “horns of a wild ox”; how do we address this metaphor scientifically or literally? 14. In 1 Kings 22:19-23, how can a just and holy God send a 'lying spirit' to deceive Ahab's prophets? What Does 1 Kings 22:11 Mean Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah• Zedekiah stands out among about four hundred prophets in King Ahab’s court (1 Kings 22:6). • His lineage is noted to distinguish him from the true prophet Micaiah—names matter in Scripture, reminding us God tracks every individual (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). • Like the false prophets in Jeremiah’s day (Jeremiah 28:1), Zedekiah claims divine authority yet opposes God’s genuine messenger. • Parallel account: 2 Chronicles 18:10 underscores that this incident is historical fact, not allegory. had made for himself iron horns • Physical props grab attention; prophets sometimes used symbolic objects at God’s command (e.g., Ezekiel 4:1–3). • Here, however, Zedekiah manufactures the horns on his own initiative, illustrating how counterfeit messages often imitate authentic prophetic symbolism while lacking divine commission. • “Iron horns” evoke strength and aggression (Deuteronomy 33:17; Psalm 92:10). The metal’s durability visually promises an unstoppable victory—exactly what Ahab wants to hear. • Making them “for himself” hints at self-promotion, contrasting with servants who act “for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). and declared • He speaks boldly in the royal court, revealing how false confidence can sway crowds (Proverbs 14:12). • His declaration pressures King Jehoshaphat to agree with the majority, illustrating the danger of valuing consensus over revelation (Exodus 23:2). • The dramatic setting reminds us that emotional delivery is no guarantee of truth (1 Corinthians 2:4–5). “This is what the LORD says:” • By prefacing his message with the divine name, Zedekiah cloaks error in sacred language (Jeremiah 23:31). • Scripture warns repeatedly against speaking lies “in the name of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:20). • His claim sets up a direct test: God’s word will either confirm or refute him through fulfilled prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:21–22). Micaiah’s later prediction (1 Kings 22:17, 28) proves true, exposing Zedekiah’s fraud. ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’ • “Gore” conveys violent domination, echoing imagery of a powerful ox (Numbers 23:22). • The promise of total victory flatters Ahab’s ambitions, illustrating how false prophecy often panders to human desire (2 Timothy 4:3). • Yet God had already decreed judgment on Ahab (1 Kings 20:42; 21:19). Zedekiah’s assurance directly contradicts the divine sentence, showing that any prophetic word must align with prior revelation (Galatians 1:8). • The subsequent battle proves the falseness of this guarantee when Ahab is mortally wounded (1 Kings 22:34–37). summary Zedekiah crafts a convincing spectacle—iron horns, bold words, and the divine name—to promise Ahab sweeping victory over Aram. While the imagery evokes genuine biblical symbols of strength, his self-generated message contradicts God’s revealed will. The episode warns that outward drama and majority approval cannot replace obedience to the Lord’s authentic word. True prophecy aligns with prior Scripture and comes to pass; false prophecy, however impressive, collapses under the weight of reality, as seen in Ahab’s defeat and death. (11) Zedekiah.--The name itself ("righteousness of Jehovah") must certainly imply professed devotion to the true God, whose Name here is first uttered by him. Symbolic action was not unfrequent in the prophets. (See Note on 1Kings 11:30.) The use of the horns, as emblems of victorious strength, is also familiar, as in the utterance of Balaam (Numbers 23:22), in the blessing of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:17), in the song of Hannah (1Samuel 3:1), in the visions of Daniel and Zechariah (Daniel 8:3-10; Zechariah 1:18-19). . . . Verse 11. - And Zedekiah [This name = "Justice of Jehovah," is one of the proofs that these cannot have been prophets of Baal, as Stanley and others suppose] the son of Chenaanah [ = "Canaanitess." But we gather from 1 Chronicles 7:10 that this, like Shelomith, was a man's name. The Benjamite there mentioned may be identical with the father (or ancestor) of Zedekiah] made him [Rawlinson would translate, had made him," He says that the horns must have "been made previously, in expectation of some such occasion as that now afforded him." But it is quite conceivable that during the prophesyings, which clearly lasted some time, the idea occurred to Zedekiah, and it would not take long to put it into execution] horns of Iron [Thenius understands that these were iron spikes held on the forehead. But the reference is clearly to the horns of a bullock, and the appropriateness of the prophetic act is only manifest when we remember that Ephraim is compared to a bullock (Deuteronomy 33:17), and more, that Moses spake beforehand of the strength of his horns, and predicted that with them he should "push the people together to the ends of the earth." Not only, that is to say, was the horn a familiar Oriental symbol of power (1 Samuel 2:1, 10; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 89:24; Psalm 92:10; Daniel 7:21; Daniel 8:8, etc.), but it was identified in a peculiar manner with the powerful tribe of Ephraim; in ether words, with the kingdom of Israel This symbolical act was not necessarily an imitation of the action of Ahijah (1 Kings 11:30). Such acted parables were not uncommon among the prophets (2 Kings 13:15; Isaiah 20:2; Jeremiah 13:1; Jeremiah 19:10; Jeremiah 32:9 sqq.; Ezekiel 4:5; Acts 21:11)]: and he said, Thus saith the Lord [Heb. Jehovah. He now uses the sacred name; no doubt because of Jehoshaphat's demand, ver. 7], With these shalt thou push [the word of Deuteronomy 33:17] the Syrians, until thou have consumed then.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now Zedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֥ה (ṣiḏ·qî·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites son בֶֽן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Chenaanah כְּנַעֲנָ֖ה (kə·na·‘ă·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3668: Chenaanah -- two Israelites had made וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make for himself ל֛וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew iron בַרְזֶ֑ל (ḇar·zel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement horns קַרְנֵ֣י (qar·nê) Noun - fdc Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power and declared, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘With these בְּאֵ֛לֶּה (bə·’êl·leh) Preposition-b | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those you shall gore תְּנַגַּ֥ח (tə·nag·gaḥ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5055: To butt with the horns, to war against the Arameans אֲרָ֖ם (’ă·rām) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while they are finished off.’” כַּלֹּתָֽם׃ (kal·lō·ṯām) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent Links 1 Kings 22:11 NIV1 Kings 22:11 NLT 1 Kings 22:11 ESV 1 Kings 22:11 NASB 1 Kings 22:11 KJV 1 Kings 22:11 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 22:11 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 22:11 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 22:11 French Bible 1 Kings 22:11 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 22:11 Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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