22:10 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, 3 dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. 4 All the prophets were prophesying before them. 22:11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed.’”
1 tn Heb “Should I go against Ramoth Gilead for war or should I refrain?”
2 tn Though Jehoshaphat requested an oracle from “the
3 tn Heb “were sitting, a man on his throne.”
4 map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.
5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
6 tn Heb “and fall.”
7 tn Heb “the spirit.” The significance of the article prefixed to רוּחַ (ruakh) is uncertain, but it could contain a clue as to this spirit’s identity, especially when interpreted in light of v. 24. It is certainly possible, and probably even likely, that the article is used in a generic or dramatic sense and should be translated, “a spirit.” In the latter case it would show that this spirit was vivid and definite in the mind of Micaiah the storyteller. However, if one insists that the article indicates a well-known or universally known spirit, the following context provides a likely referent. Verse 24 tells how Zedekiah slapped Micaiah in the face and then asked sarcastically, “Which way did the spirit from the
8 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
9 tn The Hebrew text has two imperfects connected by וְגַם (vÿgam). These verbs could be translated as specific futures, “you will deceive and also you will prevail,” in which case the
10 tn On the debate over what the name “Elymas” means, see BDAG 320 s.v. ᾿Ελύμας. The magician’s behavior is more directly opposed to the faith than Simon Magus’ was.
11 sn A parenthetical note by the author.
12 sn The proconsul was the Roman official who ruled over a province traditionally under the control of the Roman senate.
13 sn A parenthetical note by the author.
14 sn This qualifying clause in the narrative indicates who represented God in the dispute.
15 tn Or “gazed intently.”
16 tn Or “unscrupulousness.”
17 sn “You who…paths of the Lord?” This rebuke is like ones from the OT prophets: Jer 5:27; Gen 32:11; Prov 10:7; Hos 14:9. Five separate remarks indicate the magician’s failings. The closing rhetorical question of v. 10 (“will you not stop…?”) shows how opposed he is to the way of God.