2 Chronicles 18:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Micaiah reveals the true vision: Israel's forces scattered like leaderless sheep, defeated, with the king dead.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 18:16
Micaiah's true vision of Israel's military defeat.
What Does 2 Chronicles 18:16 Mean?
Now Micaiah spoke the full truth. He had seen in a vision Israel's army scattered across the mountains like sheep without a shepherd—a biblical metaphor for a people leaderless and in disarray. The LORD's interpretation was clear: without their master, the soldiers should return home in peace because the campaign would fail.
The scattering of Israel on the mountains meant military defeat and the death of the king (Ahab), who alone gave the nation hope for victory. This was not the encouraging message Ahab wanted, but it was the truth God had revealed to His prophet.
2 Chronicles 18:16 in the Original Language
scattered (פִּזְּרוּ), 'scattered' — to disperse in flight, as animals without a shepherd scatter.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 18:16
What does 2 Chronicles 18:16 mean?
Micaiah reveals the true vision: Israel's forces scattered like leaderless sheep, defeated, with the king dead.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 18:16?
Micaiah's true vision of Israel's military defeat.