Who was Michael in the Bible?

Michael was a son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:2. He was a prince of Judah, but the Bible provides no further details about his life or actions.

What is the significance of Michael, son of Jehoshaphat?

His significance is primarily genealogical, establishing the lineage of the royal house of Judah. His mention in 2 Chronicles 21:2-4 highlights the tragic event where his brothers were killed by their eldest brother, Jehoram, after he became king.

What happened to Michael and his brothers?

After their father Jehoshaphat died, their eldest brother Jehoram became king and killed all his brothers, including Michael, to secure his throne (2 Chronicles 21:4). This act is presented as a great evil in the biblical narrative.

Michael

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingSon

Michael was one of the sons of King Jehoshaphat of Judah (2Ch.21.2).

Michael

Biography

Michael was one of the sons of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, listed among the princes of the royal house in 2 Chronicles 21:2. Jehoshaphat, one of Judah's more faithful kings, provided his sons with generous gifts of silver, gold, and fortified cities throughout the kingdom. However, when Michael's brother Jehoram ascended to the throne as firstborn, he secured his power through a brutal act of fratricide, killing all his brothers with the sword (2 Chronicles 21:4). Michael thus became a victim of the violence that so often plagued royal succession in the ancient Near East. Jehoshaphat's careful provisions for his sons could not prevent the tragic outcome of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of Jehoram's alliance with the house of Ahab through his marriage to Ahab's daughter Athaliah.

Significance

Michael's tragic death at the hands of his brother Jehoram starkly illustrates the destructive consequences of ungodly alliances and the corrupting nature of power pursued apart from God. Jehoram's marriage into the house of Ahab introduced Baal worship into the Davidic line and led directly to the murder of his own brothers (2 Chronicles 21:6). Michael's fate serves as a sobering reminder that even those born into godly families are not immune to the violence that sin produces. The episode also highlights the vulnerability of the Davidic line, which God nonetheless preserved through centuries of turmoil, ultimately bringing forth the Messiah. Michael's death underscores the costliness of covenant unfaithfulness within royal houses.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF Library of Congress GND BnF

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 21:2

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources