2 Chronicles 18:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zedekiah, enraged, strikes Micaiah and sarcastically questions whether the Spirit abandoned him for Micaiah.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 18:23
Zedekiah violently rejects Micaiah's prophecy.
What Does 2 Chronicles 18:23 Mean?
Zedekiah, the false prophet who had performed with the iron horns, responded to Micaiah's revelation with violence. He struck Micaiah on the cheek in a gesture of contempt and uttered a sarcastic challenge: if Micaiah is speaking for the LORD's Spirit, when did that Spirit leave Zedekiah to come to Micaiah?
Zedekiah's violence revealed his true nature. False prophets often resort to force when their deceptions are exposed. His sarcasm was itself a form of mockery, attempting to discredit Micaiah by questioning the theological legitimacy of his claim to God's Spirit. The very act of striking proved he had no power from God.
2 Chronicles 18:23 in the Original Language
smote (נַכָּה), 'smote' — to strike with force; here on the face, a gesture of supreme contempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 18:23
What does 2 Chronicles 18:23 mean?
Zedekiah, enraged, strikes Micaiah and sarcastically questions whether the Spirit abandoned him for Micaiah.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 18:23?
Zedekiah violently rejects Micaiah's prophecy.