Kenaanah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the prophetic narratives during the reign of King Ahab of Israel. The name "Kenaanah" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "trader" or "merchant," which may reflect a characteristic or occupation associated with the individual or his lineage.

Biblical Reference:

Kenaanah is primarily noted as the father of Zedekiah, one of the false prophets during the time of King Ahab. The relevant passage is found in 1 Kings 22:11 and 2 Chronicles 18:10. In these accounts, Zedekiah, the son of Kenaanah, is depicted as one of the prophets who falsely assured King Ahab of victory in his campaign against Ramoth-gilead. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows:

1 Kings 22:11 : "Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, 'This is what the LORD says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'"

2 Chronicles 18:10 : "Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, 'This is what the LORD says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'"

Context and Significance:

The narrative involving Kenaanah's son, Zedekiah, occurs during a critical moment in Israel's history. King Ahab, in alliance with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, sought to reclaim the city of Ramoth-gilead from the Arameans. Before engaging in battle, Ahab consulted his prophets, who unanimously predicted success. Zedekiah, son of Kenaanah, distinguished himself among these prophets by using a dramatic visual aid—iron horns—to symbolize the supposed divine assurance of victory.

However, the true prophet of the LORD, Micaiah, delivered a contrasting message, predicting disaster for Ahab. Micaiah's prophecy ultimately proved accurate, as Ahab was killed in the ensuing battle, fulfilling the word of the LORD.

Theological Implications:

The account of Zedekiah, son of Kenaanah, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of discerning the true voice of God. It highlights the tension between human desires and divine will, as well as the consequences of ignoring genuine prophetic warnings. The narrative underscores the biblical theme that true prophecy aligns with God's purposes and is often at odds with popular opinion or political expediency.

Cultural and Historical Insights:

The use of iron horns by Zedekiah may reflect ancient Near Eastern practices where symbolic acts or objects were employed to convey prophetic messages. Such dramatic gestures were intended to capture attention and lend authority to the prophet's words. This practice is seen elsewhere in the Bible, where prophets use symbolic actions to communicate divine messages (e.g., Jeremiah 27:2-3).

In summary, Kenaanah's mention in the Bible, though brief, is significant due to his association with the events surrounding King Ahab's ill-fated campaign. His son Zedekiah's role as a false prophet serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual discernment and fidelity to God's truth.3668. Kenaanah -- two Israelites
... 3667b, 3668. Kenaanah. 3669 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Kenaanah Phonetic
Spelling: (ken-ah-an-aw') Short Definition: Chenaanah. ... Kenaanah. 3669 . ...
/hebrew/3668.htm - 6kKenaanah (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kenaanah (5 Occurrences). 1 Kings 22:11 Zedekiah
the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, "Thus ...
/k/kenaanah.htm - 7k

Kenan (7 Occurrences)

/k/kenan.htm - 8k

Kemu'el (2 Occurrences)
Kemu'el. Kem'uel, Kemu'el. Kenaanah . Multi-Version Concordance Kemu'el (2
Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Kem'uel, Kemu'el. Kenaanah . Reference Bible.
/k/kemu'el.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus