Who was Iddo in the Bible?

Iddo was a seer and prophet who lived during the reigns of Kings Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. He is noted for recording the events and history of their reigns, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9:29 and 2 Chronicles 13:22.

What did the prophet Iddo write?

Iddo wrote prophetic records or chronicles concerning the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. These writings, referenced in 2 Chronicles, were considered authoritative sources for the biblical history of that period, though the texts themselves are not part of our current Bible.

Why is Iddo significant in the Old Testament?

Iddo is significant as a historical source and prophet whose records were used by the biblical authors. His work helped preserve the history of a critical transition period in Judah, bridging the united monarchy under Solomon to the divided kingdom after Rehoboam.

Iddo

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleProphet

Iddo, a seer and prophet who recorded the events of the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah.

Iddo

Biography

Iddo the seer and prophet was an active figure at the courts of three successive Israelite kings: Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. According to 2 Chronicles, he authored several works of prophetic history: "the visions of Iddo the seer" (2 Chronicles 9:29) and a book of "the annals of Iddo the prophet" (2 Chronicles 13:22), that chronicled royal affairs and divine activity during the divided monarchy's early decades. He is also associated with a genealogical record (2 Chronicles 12:15). Though these works have not survived independently, they were among the sources consulted by the Chronicler, giving Iddo lasting influence on the final shape of Old Testament historical literature.

Significance

Iddo the seer exemplifies the prophetic office as both a witness to history and an interpreter of providence. By recording the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah, he helped shape how subsequent generations understood God's dealings with the Davidic dynasty. His multiple cited works suggest a prolific ministry that held royal power accountable to covenantal standards. Iddo's legacy underscores the vital role prophets played as historians and theologians, not merely predicting the future but inscribing the past with divine meaning. His work preserves the truth that the LORD governs history, even when kings fall short of faithfulness.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 6:21 1Chr 6:41

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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