Topical Encyclopedia Kola'iah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. The name Kola'iah is of Hebrew origin, and it is understood to mean "voice of Jehovah" or "voice of Yahweh." This name reflects the common practice in ancient Israel of embedding the name of God within personal names, signifying a connection or dedication to the divine.Biblical Reference: Kola'iah is mentioned in the context of the false prophets during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. The specific reference to Kola'iah is found in Jeremiah 29:21-23. In this passage, Kola'iah is identified as the father of Ahab, one of the false prophets who misled the people of Israel during their Babylonian exile. The Berean Standard Bible renders the passage as follows: "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in My name: 'I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire.' For they have committed an outrage in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken lies in My name, which I did not command them. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD." Context and Significance: The mention of Kola'iah in the Bible is brief, and he is primarily noted as the father of Ahab, a false prophet. The context of this passage is a letter from Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, warning them against listening to false prophets who were giving them false hope and misleading them with lies. Ahab, along with Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, is condemned by God for prophesying lies in His name and for their immoral behavior. The significance of Kola'iah's mention lies in the broader narrative of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, which was marked by his efforts to call the people of Judah back to faithfulness to God and to warn them of the consequences of their disobedience. The false prophets, including Ahab, represented a significant challenge to Jeremiah's message, as they offered a more palatable but ultimately deceptive message to the people. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the account of Kola'iah and his son Ahab serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of discerning true messages from God. It underscores the biblical theme of accountability, as God holds Ahab and Zedekiah accountable for their actions and the lies they spread in His name. This passage also highlights the seriousness with which God views the misuse of His name and the leading of His people astray. In the broader biblical narrative, the account of Kola'iah and his son Ahab serves as a reminder of the need for faithfulness to God's word and the importance of seeking truth, even in the face of opposition and false teachings. Concordance Kola'iah (1 Occurrence)Jeremiah 29:21 Thesaurus Kola'iah (1 Occurrence)Kola'iah. Kolaiah, Kola'iah. Kolai'ah . Multi-Version Concordance Kola'iah (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 29:21 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts ... /k/kola'iah.htm - 6k Kolai'ah (1 Occurrence) Kolaiah (2 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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