Ahijah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Ahijah in the Bible?
Ahijah was a priest and prophet in the Old Testament who served during the reigns of King Solomon and King Jeroboam. He is recorded in biblical narratives as the figure who tore his garment into twelve pieces to symbolize the division of the kingdom and prophesied that ten tribes would be given to Jeroboam, while also predicting the death of Jeroboam's son as a consequence of the king's idolatry.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ahijah's actions clarifies the biblical narrative's explanation for the schism between Israel and Judah, highlighting how prophetic authority was used to legitimize Jeroboam's rule and establish the theological rationale for the northern kingdom's eventual downfall due to religious apostasy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ahijah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ahijah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.