Kolaiah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Kolaiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. The name Kolaiah is of Hebrew origin, and it is understood to mean "voice of Jehovah" or "voice of Yahweh." This name appears in the context of a narrative involving false prophecy and divine judgment.

Biblical Reference:

Kolaiah is mentioned in Jeremiah 29:21-23, where he is identified as the father of Ahab, one of the false prophets. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following account:

"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 hands 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:

Kolaiah's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily through his son, Ahab, who, along with Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, is condemned by God for prophesying lies in His name. These false prophets were misleading the people of Judah during their exile in Babylon, claiming to speak on behalf of the Lord. Their actions were not only deceitful but also morally corrupt, as they were accused of committing adultery and other outrages.

The judgment pronounced upon Ahab and Zedekiah serves as a stern warning against false prophecy and the misuse of God's name. The severe punishment—being delivered into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar and executed by fire—underscores the seriousness with which God views the integrity of His word and the responsibility of those who claim to speak for Him.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of Kolaiah and his son Ahab highlights the importance of true prophecy and the dangers of false teachings. It serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and His role as a witness to human actions. The narrative emphasizes the need for discernment among God's people and the consequences of leading others astray through falsehoods.

Kolaiah's mention in the Bible, though brief, is a part of a larger narrative that illustrates the themes of divine justice, the sanctity of God's name, and the accountability of those who hold positions of spiritual authority.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Kolaiah

(voice of Jehovah).

  1. A Benjamite whose descendants settled in Jerusalem after the return from the captivity. (Nehemiah 11:7) (B.C. before 536.)
  2. The father of Ahab the false prophet, who was burnt by the king of Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:21) (B.C. before 594.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KOLAIAH

ko-la'-ya, ko-li'-a (qolayah, "voice of Yah"):

(1) A Benjamite, son of Maaseiah (Nehemiah 11:7).

(2) Father of Ahab, a false prophet and a lecherous man (Jeremiah 29:21-23).

Strong's Hebrew
6964. Qolayah -- "voice of Yah," two Israelites
... Qolayah. 6965 . "voice of Yah," two Israelites. Transliteration: Qolayah Phonetic
Spelling: (ko-law-yaw') Short Definition: Kolaiah. ... NASB Word Usage Kolaiah (2 ...
/hebrew/6964.htm - 6k
Library

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... Because ye have said, The Lord hath raised us up prophets in Babylon, [21] thus
saith the Lord concerning Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Sedekiah son of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

Thesaurus
Kolaiah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia KOLAIAH. ko-la'-ya, ko-li ... 21-23).
Multi-Version Concordance Kolaiah (2 Occurrences). Nehemiah 11:7 ...
/k/kolaiah.htm - 7k

Kola'iah (1 Occurrence)
Kola'iah. Kolaiah, Kola'iah. Kolai'ah . Multi-Version Concordance Kola'iah
(1 Occurrence). ... Kolaiah, Kola'iah. Kolai'ah . Reference Bible.
/k/kola'iah.htm - 6k

Ma-asei'ah (23 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son
of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son ...
/m/ma-asei'ah.htm - 13k

Maaseiah (25 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son
of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son ...
/m/maaseiah.htm - 19k

Kol

/k/kol.htm - 10k

Kolai'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Nehemiah 11:7 And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the
son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the ...
/k/kolai'ah.htm - 6k

Nebuchadrez'zar (31 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 29:21 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, concerning Ahab son of
Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you ...
/n/nebuchadrez'zar.htm - 16k

Joed (1 Occurrence)
... Nehemiah 11:7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son
of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son ...
/j/joed.htm - 7k

Jeshaiah (7 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son
of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son ...
/j/jeshaiah.htm - 10k

Jo'ed (1 Occurrence)
... Nehemiah 11:7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son
of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son ...
/j/jo'ed.htm - 6k

Resources
How many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Kolaiah (2 Occurrences)

Nehemiah 11:7
These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 29:21
Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall kill them before your eyes;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Kolaiah

Kolaiah: A Benjamite and Ancestor of Sallu

Kolaiah: Father of the False Prophet Ahab

Related Terms

Kolai'ah (1 Occurrence)

Kolaiah (2 Occurrences)

Kol
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