2 Chronicles 18:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →One of the spirits volunteers to entice Ahab and is asked to explain his method.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 18:20
A spirit volunteers to entice Ahab; God asks its method.
What Does 2 Chronicles 18:20 Mean?
One particular spirit stepped forward and volunteered for the task. In the heavenly realm, this spirit offered itself as the instrument through which God's decree—that Ahab would go to Ramoth-gilead and fall—would be accomplished. The LORD's question 'Wherewith?' asked the spirit to describe its method.
This exchange shows that God's sovereignty over events does not bypass the agency of spiritual beings. Even in bringing judgment, God acts through those who are aligned with His purposes. The spirit's willingness indicates that deceiving Ahab was perceived as just action.
2 Chronicles 18:20 in the Original Language
spirit (רוּחַ), 'spirit' — a spiritual being, possibly including false prophets embodied by spiritual influence.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 18:20
What does 2 Chronicles 18:20 mean?
One of the spirits volunteers to entice Ahab and is asked to explain his method.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 18:20?
A spirit volunteers to entice Ahab; God asks its method.