יִמְלָא

יִמְלָא

Jimla or Jimlah, an Israelite

Definition

יִמְלָא (Yimlâʼ) is a proper noun referring to Imla or Imlah, the father of the prophet Micaiah. He is mentioned exclusively in the context of King Ahab of Israel seeking a true prophetic word before the battle at Ramoth-gilead (2 Chronicles 18:7-8). As the father of Micaiah, his primary significance is genealogical, establishing the identity and lineage of the prophet who courageously contradicted the false prophets of Ahab's court. The name itself means 'full' or 'he fills,' which may symbolically point to his son being 'full' of the true word of the Lord.

Biblical Usage

This name appears only twice in the Old Testament, both in the parallel narrative of 2 Chronicles 18:7-8 (cf. 1 Kings 22:8-9, which uses the variant יִמְלָה, Yimlâh). Its usage is strictly as a patronymic identifier ('Micaiah son of Imla') within a prophetic confrontation story. It serves to distinguish the true prophet Micaiah from the hundreds of false prophets assembled by Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat.

Etymology

The name יִמְלָא (Yimlâʼ) is derived from the Hebrew root מָלֵא (mālēʼ, H4390), meaning 'to be full' or 'to fill.' It is a verb form meaning 'he will fill' or 'may he fill.' The variant spelling יִמְלָה (Yimlâh) carries the same meaning. As a personal name, it follows a common Hebrew pattern where names express a characteristic or a hope, perhaps signifying a desire for the child to be 'full' of blessing, life, or God's spirit.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its bearer's role is. Imla is the father of Micaiah, a prophet who embodies fidelity to God's word against immense political and peer pressure. Understanding that Micaiah is 'son of Imla' ('son of he fills') can subtly underscore the theme that a true prophet is filled with and delivers the authentic, unadulterated word of Yahweh, in contrast to the 'lying spirit' filling the mouths of the court prophets (2 Chronicles 18:21-22). It highlights God's provision of a truthful witness even in corrupt times. In ancient Israelite culture, a person was often identified by their father's name (a patronymic). Mentioning 'Imla' immediately established Micaiah's family line and social identity. Names meaning 'full' were likely aspirational, expressing a parent's hope for their child's prosperity or divine favor. The narrative assumes the audience would recognize that a prophet introduced by his father's name, rather than by a royal title or institutional affiliation, was an independent figure whose authority came from his lineage and God, not the king's court. There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Theologically, the prophet Micaiah (מִיכָיְהוּ, Mîḵāyəhû, H4321) is the key figure associated with it.

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