Original Word: יִמְלָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yimla'
Pronunciation: yim-LAW
Phonetic Spelling: (yeem-law')
KJV: Imla, Imlah
NASB: Imlah, Imla, Imla's
Word Origin: [from H4390 (מָלֵא מָלָא - filled)]

1. full
2. Jimla or Jimlah, an Israelite

Imla, Imlah

Or Yimlah {yim-law'}; from male'; full; Jimla or Jimlah, an Israelite -- Imla, Imlah.

see HEBREW male'

Word Origin
from male
Definition
father of the prophet Micaiah
NASB Translation
Imla (1), Imla's (1), Imlah (2).

יִמְלָה proper name see יִמְלָא below מלא.

ימם (√ assumed for following; actual existence and meaning dubious, see below)

יִמְלָה, יִמְלָא proper name, masculine father of prophet Micaiah of Israel: — יִמְלָה 1 Kings 22:8,9 ᵐ5 Ιεμια, ᵐ5^L Ναμαλι; = יִמְלָא2Chronicles 18:7,8 ᵐ5 Ιεμαα, A Ιεμλα, ᵐ5^L Ναμαλι.

מַלְאָךְ, מְלָאכָה, [מַלְאָכוּת], מַלְאָכִי see לאך.

מִלְּבַד see II. בַּד. מִלְבּוּשׁ see לבשׁ.

מַלְבֵּן see לבן. מִלָּה see I. מלל.

מְלוֺ see מְלֹא. מָלוֺן, מְלוּנָה see לון. above

מִלּ֫וֺתִי

proper name see I. מלל.

Identity and Lineage

Yimla (often anglicized “Imlah”) is introduced solely as the father of the prophet Micaiah who confronted Kings Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah. Scripture offers no genealogy beyond this paternal link, yet the repeated mention of the name in the narrative highlights its importance for identifying the true prophet over the multitude of court prophets.

Occurrences in Scripture

All four attestations appear within a single historical episode:
• 1 Kings 22:8–9
• 2 Chronicles 18:7–8

In each reference Yimla is invoked to distinguish Micaiah from the forty-plus prophets loyal to Ahab. By naming the prophet “Micaiah son of Yimla,” the writers certify the prophetic pedigree of the one man willing to proclaim an unpopular word from the LORD.

Historical Setting

The scene unfolds near the close of Ahab’s reign (circa 853 BC). Jehoshaphat has traveled north to Samaria, and the two kings contemplate war with Aram over Ramoth-gilead. Court prophets unanimously promise victory, but Jehoshaphat requests “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here?” (1 Kings 22:7). Ahab replies:

“The king of Israel answered, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD: Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him, because he never prophesies good about me, only bad.’ ” (1 Kings 22:8).

Yimla’s name surfaces again when the king dispatches an officer to summon his son. The Chronicler parallels this account almost verbatim, underscoring its theological weight for post-exilic readers.

Ministry Significance of the Son Reflecting on the Father

Although the text records no acts or words of Yimla himself, his influence is implied in the fearless integrity of his son. Micaiah stands in the prophetic stream of Elijah and Elisha, confronting royal apostasy. That steadfastness suggests a household committed to Yahweh’s covenant rather than to political expediency. Yimla’s parenting—spiritual or moral—prepared a prophet who would rather face imprisonment than dilute God’s message (1 Kings 22:26–28).

Theological Themes

1. True Prophetic Lineage — The biblical authors repeatedly attach Micaiah to Yimla to authenticate his authority, reminding readers that genuine prophecy is rooted in covenant faithfulness, not popularity.
2. The Minority Voice — Yimla’s son embodies the principle that truth is not determined by majority vote. This theme echoes throughout Scripture (e.g., Jeremiah’s lonely stand, Jesus’ “narrow way” in Matthew 7:13-14).
3. Parental Legacy — Proverbs 22:6 commends training a child “in the way he should go.” Yimla serves as a quiet exemplar of this principle; his investment bore fruit precisely when Israel most needed an uncompromised witness.

Practical Lessons for Believers

• Faithful parenting, even when unseen by history, can shape voices God will use publicly.
• The value of a name associated with righteousness outweighs social prestige.
• Courage in proclamation rests on convictions forged long before crisis moments arrive.

Later Jewish and Christian Reflection

Rabbinic literature occasionally cites Micaiah as a model of prophetic courage, implicitly honoring the father who raised him. Early Christian commentators, such as Jerome, likewise admire Micaiah’s fidelity without separating it from his family background.

Conclusion

Yimla’s four brief mentions remind readers that God often plants His most significant servants in obscure soil. Though the biblical record gives no details of Yimla’s life, his legacy lives through a prophet whose unwavering commitment to divine truth still challenges kings—and believers—to heed the unvarnished word of the LORD.

יִמְלָ֑א יִמְלָ֑ה יִמְלָֽא׃ יִמְלָֽה׃ ימלא ימלא׃ ימלה ימלה׃ yim·lā yim·lāh yimLa yimlā yimLah yimlāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts