2 Chronicles 18:5
New International Version
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?” “Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

New Living Translation
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?” They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory.”

English Standard Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

King James Bible
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

New King James Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” So they said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.”

New American Standard Bible
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Should we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will hand it over to the king.”

NASB 1995
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”

NASB 1977
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”

Amplified Bible
Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will hand it over to the king.”

Christian Standard Bible
So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain? ” They replied, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, 400 men, and asked them, “Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.”

American Standard Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.

Contemporary English Version
Ahab sent for 400 prophets and asked, "Should I attack the city of Ramoth?" "Yes!" the prophets answered. "God will help you capture the city."

English Revised Version
When the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the king of Israel called 400 prophets together. He asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth in Gilead or not?" "Go," they said. "God will hand over Ramoth to you."

Good News Translation
So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?" "Attack it," they answered. "God will give you victory."

International Standard Version
So the king of Israel gathered together 400 prophets and asked them, "Should we go attack Ramoth-gilead, or should I call off the attack?" "Go attack them," they all said, "because God will drop them right in the king's hand."

Majority Standard Bible
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

NET Bible
So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, "Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?" They said, "Attack! God will hand it over to the king."

New Heart English Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?" They said, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king."

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the king of Israel collected of prophets four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

World English Bible
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?” They said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king of Israel gathers the prophets, four hundred men, and says to them, “Do we go to Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or do I refrain?” And they say, “Go up, and God gives [it] into the hand of the king.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel gathereth the prophets, four hundred men, and saith unto them, 'Do we go unto Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or do I forbear?' And they say, 'Go up, and God doth give it into the hand of the king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king of Israel will gather together the prophets, four hundred men, and he will say to them, Shall we go to Ramoth-Gilead to war, or shall I desist? And they will say, Go up, and God will give into the hand of the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So the king of Israel gathered together of the prophets four hundred men, and he said to them: Shall we go to Ramoth Galaad to fight, or shall we forbear ? But they said: Go up, and God will deliver it into the king's hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so the king of Israel gathered together four hundred men of the prophets, and he said to them: “Should we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or should we be quieted?” But they said, “Ascend, and God will deliver into the hand of the king.”

New American Bible
The king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred of them, and asked, “Shall we go to fight against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” They said, “Attack. God will give it into the power of the king.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred of them, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” They said, “Go up; for God will give it into the hand of the king.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of the prophets four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramath-gilead to battle or shall I forbear? And they said to him, Go up; for the LORD will deliver your enemies into your hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King of Israel gathered the Prophets, about four hundred men, and he said to them: ”Shall we go to battle at Ramath Gelad or not?” And they said to him: ”Go up, and LORD JEHOVAH will hand your enemies over into your hands!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said unto them: 'Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?' And they said: 'Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to Ramoth Galaad to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, and God shall deliver it into the hands of the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab
4But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 5So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God will deliver it into the hand of the king.” 6But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?”…

Cross References
1 Kings 22:6
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:3
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Deuteronomy 18:20
But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

Jeremiah 23:21
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

Ezekiel 22:28
Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 6:14
They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

Ezekiel 13:10
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

prophets

1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

2 Kings 3:13
And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Shall we go

Jeremiah 38:14
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

Jeremiah 42:2,3,20
And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) …

go up

2 Chronicles 18:14,20,21
And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand…

Jeremiah 8:10,11
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely…

Jeremiah 23:14,17
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah…

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Battle Collected Deliver Forbear Four Gathered Gilead Hand Hundred Israel King's Prophets Ramoth Ramothgilead Ramoth-Gilead Refrain Together
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Battle Collected Deliver Forbear Four Gathered Gilead Hand Hundred Israel King's Prophets Ramoth Ramothgilead Ramoth-Gilead Refrain Together
2 Chronicles 18
1. Jehoshaphat, joined in affinity with Ahab, is persuaded to go against Ramoth Gilead
4. Ahab, seduced by false prophets, according to the word of Micaiah, is slain there














So the king of Israel assembled the prophets
This phrase introduces us to the political and religious dynamics of ancient Israel. The "king of Israel" at this time is Ahab, a ruler known for his idolatry and opposition to the worship of Yahweh. The act of assembling "the prophets" suggests a formal gathering, likely in a royal court setting. Historically, prophets were seen as intermediaries between God and the people, but Ahab's prophets were not true prophets of Yahweh. The Hebrew word for "prophets" is "נביאים" (nevi'im), which traditionally refers to those who speak on behalf of God. However, in this context, these prophets are likely false prophets, aligned with Ahab's idolatrous practices.

four hundred men
The number "four hundred" is significant and symbolic in the biblical narrative. It suggests a large, impressive assembly, meant to convey authority and consensus. However, the sheer number also implies a lack of genuine divine inspiration, as true prophecy is not determined by majority but by fidelity to God's word. This echoes the earlier confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, where numbers did not equate to truth.

and asked them, 'Shall we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?'
The king's inquiry reflects a common practice of seeking divine guidance before military campaigns. "Ramoth-gilead" was a strategically important city, often contested between Israel and Aram. The question posed by Ahab is not just a military one but also a spiritual inquiry, though it is directed to prophets who do not truly represent Yahweh. The Hebrew root for "refrain" (חָדַל, chadal) implies a cessation or holding back, indicating Ahab's awareness of the potential consequences of his actions.

'Go up,' they replied, 'and God will give it into the hand of the king.'
The response of the prophets is unanimous and affirmative, "Go up," suggesting a divine endorsement of the king's plans. However, the phrase "God will give it into the hand of the king" is misleading. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), a term that can refer to the true God or, in a broader sense, to gods or divine beings. The assurance given by these prophets is false, as it does not come from Yahweh. This highlights the danger of relying on voices that claim divine authority without true allegiance to God. The phrase serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of discerning true prophecy from false assurances.

(5) Therefore.--And.

Of prophets.--Rather, the prophets.

Four hundred.--Kings, "About four hundred." Also' Adonai ("the Lord"), instead of ha'elohim ("the [true] God"); and "I go against" for "we go to," where the former is obviously more appropriate.

Verse 5. - These four hundred prophets, as Keil justly notes, were not prophets of Ashe-rah, nor of Baal, but strictly of Israel, i.e. of the images of the calf (1 Kings 12:26-33). Their word speedily showed itself not the word of the Lord, but the word that was made up to order of the king, and to suit his known wish at any time.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

assembled
וַיִּקְבֹּ֨ץ (way·yiq·bōṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

the prophets,
הַנְּבִאִים֮ (han·nə·ḇi·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

four
אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

hundred
מֵא֣וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

men,
אִישׁ֒ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and asked them,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Should we go
הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ (hă·nê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to war
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Ramoth-gilead,
רָמֹ֥ת (rā·mōṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7433: Ramoth-gilead -- a city East of the Jordan

or
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

should we refrain?”
אֶחְדָּ֑ל (’eḥ·dāl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

“Go up,”
עֲלֵ֔ה (‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

they replied,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“and God
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will deliver it
וְיִתֵּ֥ן (wə·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into the hand
בְּיַ֥ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the king.”
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 18:5 Then the king of Israel gathered (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 18:4
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