2 Chronicles 18 — The alliance with Ahab and Micaiah’s vision — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 18:29, 18:33
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Chapter 18 — The alliance with Ahab and Micaiah’s vision
The alliance and the invitation to battle
Verse 18:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:1] Jehoshaphat had abundant wealth and honor, and he formed a marriage alliance with Ahab.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:1] Jehoshaphat still had abundant wealth and glory, and he formed a marriage alliance with Ahab's house.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek specifies Ahab's house and adds still; both introduce the marriage alliance.
Verse 18:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:2] After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him, and urged him to go up to Ramoth-gilead.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:2] At the end of some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab sacrificed many sheep and calves for him and the people with him, and was enticing him to go up with him to Ramoth in Galaaditis.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly describes accompanying Ahab and uses the vocabulary of enticement; Hebrew urges him to ascend.
Verse 18:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:3] Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:3] Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth in Galaaditis?” He answered him, “As I am, so are you; as your people, so my people will be with you for war.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The comparisons run in opposite order, though both pledge participation in the campaign.
The assembled prophets
Verse 18:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:4] Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire today for the word of YHWH.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:4] Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please seek the Lord today.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly seeks YHWH's word; Greek directly seeks the Lord.
Verse 18:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:5] The king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or shall I refrain?” They said, “Go up, and God will give it into the king's hand.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:5] The king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to Ramoth-galaad for war, or shall I refrain?” They said, “Go up, and God will give it into the king's hands.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew begins with shall we, Greek with shall I. Both count four hundred prophets and name God in the reply.
Verse 18:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:6] Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not another prophet of YHWH here, so that we may inquire through him?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:6] Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not another prophet of the Lord here, so that we may inquire from him?”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both request another prophet through whom to inquire.
Verse 18:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:7] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we may inquire of YHWH, but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil all his days. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” Jehoshaphat said, “Let the king not speak so.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:7] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom to seek the Lord, but I have hated him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me; all his days are for evil. He is Michaias son of Iemla.” Jehoshaphat said, “Let the king not speak so.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both preserve the king's hostility toward the prophet and Jehoshaphat's objection; Greek expresses the hatred with a past tense.
Verse 18:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:8] The king of Israel called one eunuch and said, “Hurry Micaiah son of Imlah here.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:8] The king of Israel called one eunuch and said, “Quickly, Michaias son of Iemla!”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew supplies the imperative to hurry the prophet; Greek gives an abbreviated summons. Hebrew saris can also designate a court officer.
Verse 18:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:9] The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were seated, each on his throne, dressed in robes, sitting at the threshing floor by the entrance of Samaria's gate. All the prophets were prophesying before them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:9] The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were seated, each on his throne and dressed in robes, sitting in the broad space at the doorway of Samaria's gate. All the prophets were prophesying before them.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew calls the location a threshing floor; Greek calls it the broad space at the gateway.
Verse 18:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:10] Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made himself iron horns and said, “Thus says YHWH: With these you will gore Aram until you finish it.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:10] Sedekias son of Chanana made himself iron horns and said, “Thus says the Lord: With these you will gore Syria until it is finished.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The sign and prediction agree; the place-name forms and active versus passive ending differ.
Verse 18:11 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:11] All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed! YHWH will give it into the king's hand.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:11] All the prophets were prophesying in this way, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-galaad, and you will prosper; the Lord will give it into the king's hands.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both report the unanimous favorable prophecy and its claim of divine authorization.
Micaiah’s first answer
Verse 18:12 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:12] The messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him: “Look, the prophets' words with one mouth are favorable to the king. Please let your word be like that of one of them, and speak favorably.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:12] The messenger who went to summon Michaias spoke to him: “Look, the prophets have spoken with one mouth favorably about the king. Please let your words be like those of one of them, and you shall speak favorably.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both put pressure on the prophet to conform; Hebrew word becomes Greek words.
Verse 18:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:13] Micaiah said, “As YHWH lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:13] Michaias said, “As the Lord lives, whatever God says to me, that I will speak.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has my God; Greek has God and explicitly adds to me.
Verse 18:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:14] He came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or shall I refrain?” He said, “Go up and succeed, and they will be given into your hands.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:14] He came to the king, and the king said to him, “Michaias, shall I go to Ramoth-galaad for war, or shall I refrain?” He said, “Go up and prosper, and they will be given into your hands.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has shall we and plural commands; Greek has shall I and singular commands. Both end with plural your hands and leave the giving agent unstated.
Verse 18:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:15] The king said to him, “How many times must I put you under oath that you speak to me nothing but truth in YHWH's name?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:15] The king said to him, “How many times do I put you under oath that you speak to me nothing but truth in the Lord's name?”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both challenge the prophet to speak truth under oath.
Verse 18:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:16] He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd. YHWH said, ‘These have no masters; let each return to his house in peace.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:16] He said, “I saw Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. The Lord said, ‘They have no leader; let each return to his house in peace.’”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has all Israel and plural masters; Greek has Israel and a singular leader.
Verse 18:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:17] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but only evil?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:17] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he does not prophesy good concerning me, but only evil?”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both repeat the king's complaint about unfavorable prophecy.
The heavenly council and the rejected warning
Verse 18:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:18] He said, “Therefore hear the word of YHWH. I saw YHWH seated on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing at His right and His left.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:18] He said, “Not so! Hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord seated on His throne, and all the host of heaven stood at His right and His left.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew introduces the vision with therefore; Greek first contradicts with not so. Both address hear to more than one listener.
Verse 18:19 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:19] YHWH said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ One said this, and another said that.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:19] The Lord said, ‘Who will deceive Ahab king of Israel, so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-galaad?’ One said this, and another said that.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both describe heavenly deliberation about the king's fatal expedition; Greek explicitly uses deceive.
Verse 18:20 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:20] Then the spirit came out and stood before YHWH and said, ‘I will entice him.’ YHWH said to him, ‘By what means?’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:20] The spirit came out and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord said, ‘By what means?’
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both distinguish the volunteering spirit from the Lord and ask how the deception will occur.
Verse 18:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:21] He said, ‘I will go out and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will entice him, and you will prevail. Go out and do so.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:21] He said, ‘I will go out and become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ He said, ‘You will deceive him, and you will prevail. Go out and do so.’
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The proposed means and permission to carry it out are the same in both texts.
Verse 18:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:22] Now look: YHWH has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and YHWH has spoken evil against you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:22] Now look: the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has spoken evil against you.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly includes all in the final application; Hebrew has these prophets without all.
Verse 18:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:23] Zedekiah son of Chenaanah approached and struck Micaiah on the cheek. He said, “Which way did the Spirit of YHWH pass from me to speak with you?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:23] Sedekias son of Chanana approached and struck Michaias on the jaw. He said to him, “By which road did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both preserve the blow and the prophet's claim to possess the divine Spirit; cheek and jaw describe the struck area.
Verse 18:24 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:24] Micaiah said, “Look, you will see on that day when you enter an inner room within a room to hide.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:24] Michaias said, “Look, you will see on that day when you enter a chamber from a chamber to hide yourself.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both predict retreat into inner rooms; their expressions of movement between rooms differ slightly.
Verse 18:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:25] The king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city's ruler and to Joash the king's son.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:25] The king of Israel said, “Take Michaias and return him to Emer the city's ruler and to Joash, a ruler and the king's son.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Amon becomes Emer in Greek, which also calls Joash a ruler.
Verse 18:26 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:26] Say, ‘Thus says the king: Put this man in the prison house and feed him bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:26] You shall say, ‘Thus said the king: Put this man in the prison house, and let him eat bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace.’”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both order imprisonment and meager provisions; Hebrew commands others to feed him, Greek says let him eat.
Verse 18:27 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:27] Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, YHWH has not spoken through me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:27] Michaias said, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken in me. Hear, all you peoples!”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both stake the prophecy on the king's failure to return; Hebrew introduces the final appeal with another he said.
The battle and Ahab’s death
Verse 18:28 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:28] The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:28] The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-galaad.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both kings proceed to the battle site.
Verse 18:29 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:29] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and enter the battle, but you wear your robes.” The king of Israel disguised himself, and they entered the battle.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:29] The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will cover myself and enter the battle, but you put on my clothing.” The king of Israel covered himself and entered the battle.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew tells Jehoshaphat to wear his own robes; Greek makes them Ahab's clothing. Hebrew ends with both entering, Greek with the Israelite king alone as grammatical subject.
Verse 18:30 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:30] The king of Aram had commanded his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with small or great, but only with the king of Israel.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:30] The king of Syria had commanded the chariot commanders who were with him, “Do not fight the small or the great, but only the king of Israel.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek adds who were with him; neither text here gives a number of chariot commanders.
Verse 18:31 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:31] When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He is the king of Israel!” They turned around against him to fight, but Jehoshaphat cried out. YHWH helped him, and God drew them away from him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:31] When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He is the king of Israel!” They encircled him to fight, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord saved him, and God turned them away from him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew says YHWH helped and God induced their departure; Greek says the Lord saved and God turned them away. The two divine designations are retained.
Verse 18:32 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:32] When the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:32] When the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew explicitly describes turning from following him; Greek simply turns away.
Verse 18:33 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:33] A man drew his bow innocently and struck the king of Israel between the joints and the armor. The king said to the chariot driver, “Turn your hands and take me out of the camp, for I am wounded.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:33] A man drew his bow with accurate aim and struck the king of Israel between the lung and the breastplate. He said to the charioteer, “Turn your hand and take me out of the battle, for I am hurt.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew describes unknowing or unpremeditated shooting; Greek says with accurate aim. The wound location also differs, joints and armor versus lung and breastplate; neither is silently anatomically repaired.
Verse 18:34 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[BHS 18:34] The battle intensified that day. The king of Israel remained propped up in the chariot facing Aram until evening, and he died at sunset.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[LXX 18:34] The battle turned into a rout that day. The king of Israel stood on the chariot facing Syria until evening, and he died as the sun was setting.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew says the battle rose or intensified and the king was held standing; Greek describes a turning or rout and simply says he stood. Both place his death at sunset.