The name Micaiah means “Who is Like Yahweh?” Several people in the Old Testament were named by this name.
Micaiah the Prophet
This Micaiah is the son of Imlah. He lived during the time of King Ahab. Josephus asserts that it was Micaiah (Antiquities viii. 14. 5) who had prophesied that Ahab would be punished for his unwise conduct toward Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 20:35–43). The story of the Prophet Micaiah is recorded in 1 Kings 22:1–38 and also in 2 Chronicles 18:1–27.
After three years without having war between Assyria and Israel, King Ahab asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to go with him and retrieve the city of Ramoth Gilead from Assyria. Jehoshaphat agreed but asked Ahab to inquire of the Lord if they should go. So, Ahab asked his four hundred false prophets whether they should go into battle. And they all assured that the Lord would deliver the city into the hands of the king.
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD that we may ask him?” So, Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “There is Micaiah the son of Imlah but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). Yet Jehoshaphat insisted so Ahab sent for Micaiah. The prophet shared a vision, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd” (verse 17).
God’s prophet warned the two kings not to listen to the lying spirit in the mouth of the 400 prophets. Ahab was angry at the prophet’s words and commanded that he be put in prison and given the bread and water of affliction until he comes in peace. But Ahab died the second day according to the word of the prophet (1 Kings 22:37).
Jehoshaphat barely escaped and returned home. But another prophet scolded him for uniting with Ahab. “Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, ‘Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God’” (2 Chronicles 19:2–3).
Micaiah the Father of Achbor
King Josiah commanded Hilkiah the high priest, Achbor the son of Michaiah to inquire of the Lord from the prophetess Huldah, the wife of Hallum, about God’s will toward them. The prophetess said that God would bring evil upon the people for their apostasy (2 Kings 22:12-17).
Micaiah the Mother of King Abijah of Judah
This woman was a descendant of Uriel of Gibeah (2 Chronicles 13:2). The parallel account to this is found in 1 Kings 15: 2 and reads: “Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.”
Micaiah the Prince
This one was authorized by King Jehoshaphat to explain and teach the law in Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7).
Micaiah the Musician
This Micaiah participated in the dedication of the temple after the return from Babylon. He is the son of Zichri (Nehemiah 12:35).
Micaiah the Priest
Nehemiah mentions another person by this name as one of the priests who blew the trumpets (Nehemiah 12:41).
Micaiah the son of Gemariah
His father was probably Shaphan, who took a leading part in rebuilding the temple during the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:3–6), and in printing the newly found “book of the law” (2 Kings 22; 23).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
