Ahi'jah is a significant figure in the Old Testament, appearing primarily in the historical narratives of the Books of Kings and Chronicles. His name, meaning "brother of Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my brother," reflects the theophoric nature common in Hebrew names, indicating a connection to the divine.

Ahi'jah the Shilonite

Ahi'jah the Shilonite is perhaps the most well-known Ahi'jah in the Bible. He was a prophet during the reigns of Solomon and Jeroboam I. Ahi'jah played a crucial role in the division of the united monarchy of Israel. In 1 Kings 11:29-31, Ahi'jah meets Jeroboam on the road and tears a new cloak into twelve pieces, symbolically giving ten pieces to Jeroboam. This act prophesied the division of the kingdom, with Jeroboam ruling over ten tribes: "At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahi'jah the Shilonite found him on the road, wearing a new cloak. And the two of them were alone in the open field. And Ahi'jah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: "Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes."'" (1 Kings 11:29-31).

Ahi'jah's prophecy was fulfilled when the kingdom split after Solomon's death, leading to the establishment of the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. Ahi'jah's role as a prophet is further emphasized in 1 Kings 14, where he delivers a message of judgment against Jeroboam's house due to the king's idolatry and disobedience to God.

Ahi'jah, Son of Ahitub

Another Ahi'jah mentioned in the Bible is Ahi'jah, the son of Ahitub. He is identified as a priest during the reign of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 14:3, Ahi'jah is described as wearing an ephod, indicating his priestly role: "Ahijah son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod." (1 Samuel 14:3). This Ahi'jah is part of the priestly lineage descending from Eli, the high priest at Shiloh.

Ahi'jah, Father of Baasha

Ahi'jah is also noted as the father of Baasha, who became king of Israel after overthrowing Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. In 1 Kings 15:27, it is recorded: "Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city." (1 Kings 15:27). This Ahi'jah is associated with the tribe of Issachar, and his son Baasha's reign is marked by continued conflict and idolatry.

Ahi'jah in the Genealogies

Ahi'jah is also mentioned in various genealogical records, highlighting the commonality of the name in Israelite history. In 1 Chronicles 2:25, Ahi'jah is listed as a descendant of Jerahmeel, a member of the tribe of Judah. Additionally, in 1 Chronicles 8:7, an Ahi'jah is noted among the Benjamites.

The multiple references to individuals named Ahi'jah in the Old Testament reflect the name's popularity and the diverse roles these individuals played in Israel's religious and political history. Each Ahi'jah, whether a prophet, priest, or part of a royal lineage, contributes to the broader narrative of God's interaction with His people.Ahi'jah (22 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 14:3
and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
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1 Samuel 14:18
And Saul said unto Ahijah: 'Bring hither the ark of God.' For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.
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1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder;
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1 Kings 11:29
And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 11:30
And Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces.
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1 Kings 12:15
So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was a thing brought about of the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
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1 Kings 14:2
And Jeroboam said to his wife: 'Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh; behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, who spoke concerning me that I should be king over this people.
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1 Kings 14:4
And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
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1 Kings 14:5
Now the LORD had said unto Ahijah: 'Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to inquire of thee concerning her son; for he is sick; thus and thus shalt thou say unto her; for it will be, when she cometh in, that she will feign herself to be another woman.'
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1 Kings 14:6
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said: 'Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.
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1 Kings 14:18
And all Israel buried him, and made lamentation for him; according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by the hand of His servant Ahijah the prophet.
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1 Kings 15:27
And Baasa the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasa smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon.
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1 Kings 15:29
And it came to pass that, as soon as he was king, he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him; according unto the saying of the LORD, which He spoke by the hand of His servant Ahijah the Shilonite;
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1 Kings 15:33
In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasa the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, and reigned twenty and four years.
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1 Kings 21:22
And I will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasa the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked Me, and hast made Israel to sin.
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2 Kings 9:9
And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasa the son of Ahijah.
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1 Chronicles 2:25
And the sons of Jerahmeel the first-born of Hezron were Ram the first-born, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, Ahijah.
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1 Chronicles 8:7
and Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera, were they that carried them captive--and he begot Uzza, and Ahihud.
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1 Chronicles 11:36
Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite;
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1 Chronicles 26:20
And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God, and over the treasuries of the hallowed things.
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2 Chronicles 9:29
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Jedo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was brought about of God, that the LORD might establish His word, which He spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(See RSV)

Ahi'jah (22 Occurrences)
Ahi'jah. Ahijah, Ahi'jah. Ahijah's . Multi-Version Concordance Ahi'jah
(22 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub ...
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Ahijah (23 Occurrences)

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Ahijah's (2 Occurrences)

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