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Ahijah

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An Old Testament prophet who announced Jeroboam’s kingship and the division of the united kingdom of Israel under Solomon’s successors.

Detailed Definition
Ahijah tore his cloak into twelve pieces to symbolize the ten tribes breaking from Rehoboam, establishing Jeroboam as king of the north. Later, he prophesied Jeroboam’s downfall due to idolatry. In poetry, Ahijah embodies the prophet as divine messenger whose words fracture kingdoms yet uphold covenant justice, often evoking themes of national schism and moral accountability.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Ahijah’s prophecy to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11) illustrates divine sovereignty over kingdoms; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Ahijah’s torn robe symbolizes national division; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Ahijah’s boldness models prophetic courage; In John Keble’s "The Christian Year," Ahijah’s message becomes a call to repentance; In Christina Rossetti’s "Later Life," Ahijah’s prophecy echoes the cost of disobedience; In Alfred Tennyson’s "King David," Ahijah’s role in Solomon’s rise underscores divine election.
Additional Notes
Ahijah: Prophet who foretold Jeroboam’s rise and fall (1 Kings 11, 14); also a priest during David’s time. The prophet Ahijah is notable for tearing his garment into twelve pieces—a symbolic act rich for poetic imitation. In verse, he embodies the burden of prophecy, especially messages of division and judgment. His encounter with Jeroboam’s wife (1 Kings 14) is a masterclass in tragic irony and maternal grief.
Also Known As
Ahijah the Shilonite Ahijah the Prophet
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