The Death of Jezebel
2 Kings 9:30-37
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2 K.9.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבוא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- יזרעאלה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואיזבל: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותשם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בפוך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עיניה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3fs
- ותיטב: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ראשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,f,sg
- ותשקף: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- בעד: PREP
- החלון: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 9:31-33 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Jehu confronts Jezebel, she is thrown from the window and her death (v.33) completes the scene that begins with her putting on paint and peering from the window.
- 1 Kings 21:5-16 (thematic): Earlier scene showing Jezebel's scheming, manipulation and ruthless exercise of power (Naboth's vineyard incident), which establishes her character and explains why Jehu later executes judgment against her.
- 1 Kings 21:23 (allusion): Elijah's prophecy that 'the dogs shall eat Jezebel' is echoed and fulfilled in the events that follow 2 Kgs 9:30–33; the verse connects Jezebel's fate here to that earlier prophetic oracle.
- Ezekiel 16:12-14 (thematic): Ezekiel depicts a woman lavishly adorned by God who later faces judgment; the motif of elaborate adornment preceding humiliation or condemnation parallels Jezebel's putting on make-up and hair before her public downfall.
- Revelation 2:20 (allusion): The church in Thyatira is rebuked for tolerating a figure called 'Jezebel'—an allusive use of Jezebel's name and role as a symbol of corrupting influence and judgment, resonating with the narrative portrayal in 2 Kings 9:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehu came to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out through the window.
- Jehu of Jezreel came; and when Jezebel heard of it she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window.
2 K.9.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- השלום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זמרי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הרג: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדניו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs.16:9-20 (verbal): Account of Zimri's assassination of his master (King Elah); the watchman's citation of 'Zimri killed his master' alludes directly to this earlier coup.
- 2 Kgs.9:1-13 (structural): Jehu's anointing and commission to destroy Ahab's house provides the narrative and theological framework for his arrival at Jezreel and the gate‑scene.
- 2 Kgs.9:30-37 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: Jezebel's taunt at the gate, Jehu's entry, and her subsequent death — the verse functions as a hinge in this pericope.
- 2 Kgs.10:11-17 (thematic): Jehu's wider purge of Ahab's household and allies parallels the motif of violent coup and extermination introduced by the gate encounter and the reference to past regicide.
Alternative generated candidates
- As Jehu entered at the gate she said, "Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?"
- He came to the gate, and she said, 'Is it peace, Zimri? You murderer of your master!'
2 K.9.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- החלון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- וישקיפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שלשה: NUM,m
- סריסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 7:2 (thematic): Gideon calls for those who will follow him and is left with a small, tested band—parallel theme of a leader soliciting supporters and being reduced to few.
- 1 Samuel 22:2 (thematic): When David is pursued, a disparate group gathers around him as loyal followers—similar motif of a leader attracting a small cohort in a crisis.
- 2 Samuel 15:10 (thematic): Absalom actively seeks and gains supporters to undermine the king—parallel in soliciting allegiance for a coup and testing who will side with him.
- 1 Kings 19:14 (allusion): Elijah's declaration that he alone is left highlights the loneliness of prophetic/leadership struggle—echoes the concern for who stands with a solitary leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- He lifted up his face to the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs looked out at him.
- He turned his face to the window and said, 'Who is on my side?' Two or three eunuchs looked out at him.
2 K.9.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמטוה: VERB,hiphil,impv,2,m,pl
- וישמטוה: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- ויז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מדמה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- הקיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הסוסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וירמסנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2Kgs.9.30-37 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the fuller account of Jezebel being thrown from the window, her blood on the wall and horses, and her death — 9:33 is the central verse of this episode.
- 1Kgs.21:19,23 (allusion): Elijah's earlier prophecy that 'dogs will eat Jezebel' (as part of judgement on Ahab's house); 2 Kgs 9:33 records the fulfillment of that judgment against Jezebel.
- 2Kgs.9:7-10 (allusion): The prophetic commission to anoint Jehu and to destroy the house of Ahab; 9:33 narrates a concrete act in the execution of that commission.
- Rev.2:20-23 (thematic): The church-letter uses 'Jezebel' as an archetype of a corrupt/false woman whose judgment is promised — thematically echoing divine punishment visited on the historical Jezebel in 2 Kgs 9:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, "Throw her down!" They threw her down; some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot.
- He said, 'Throw her down!' So they threw her down; her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her.
2 K.9.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וישת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פקדו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- נא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- הארורה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- וקברוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 9:33 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel — the preceding command to throw Jezebel from the window sets the scene for the following action to look upon and bury her.
- 1 Kings 21:23-24 (allusion): Earlier prophetic verdict against Jezebel that 'the dogs shall eat Jezebel' — 2 Kgs 9 narrates the fulfillment and contrasts prophetic curse with the attempt to bury her 'because she is a king's daughter.'
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (thematic): The retrieval and burial of a fallen king (Saul) after a violent death — parallels the concern for providing burial rites even for royals who die in disgrace or defeat.
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (thematic): David’s recovery and burial of the bodies of Saul and his sons illustrates the motif of honoring royal persons with burial despite political enmity or violent circumstances.
Alternative generated candidates
- He went in and ate and drank, and said, "Search and bury this accursed woman, for she is a king's daughter."
- He went in and ate and drank, and said, 'Take care to bury this cursed woman, for she is a king's daughter.'
2 K.9.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לקברה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,PRON,3,f
- ולא: CONJ
- מצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- הגלגלת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והרגלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכפות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- הידים: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 9:33-34 (quotation): Immediate narrative context — earlier verses describe Jezebel being thrown down, trampled, and partially eaten by dogs; 9:35 records the scant remains found at her burial.
- 1 Kings 21:23 (allusion): Elijah's earlier prophecy that 'dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel' — 2 Kgs 9:35 is presented as the fulfillment of that oracle.
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (thematic): Covenantal curse language about corpses becoming food for birds and beasts parallels the motif of public desecration and scavenging of the dead in 2 Kgs 9:35.
- Psalm 79:2 (thematic): Lament over enemies giving the bodies of God's servants to be food for birds and beasts — similar imagery of dishonored, partly-eaten remains.
- 1 Samuel 31:8-13 (thematic): Account of the slain (Saul and his sons) treated and displayed by enemies and later recovered/buried by others — a parallel motif of public humiliation and the eventual handling of remains.
Alternative generated candidates
- They went to bury her, but they found nothing in her tomb except the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands.
- They went to bury her, but they found nothing in her grave except the skull, the feet, and the palms of the hands.
2 K.9.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויגידו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- התשבי: NOUN,adj,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- בחלק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יזרעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 21:19 (quotation): Elijah’s original prophecy that ‘in the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel’ — the very oracle cited in 2 Kgs 9:36.
- 2 Kings 9:10 (verbal): Earlier in the Jehu narrative the prophetic formula is repeated to Jehu, promising judgment on Ahab’s house and that ‘the dogs shall eat Jezebel,’ linking the anointing-oracle to its later report.
- 2 Kings 9:33–35 (structural): The immediate narrative context describing Jezebel’s fall and its aftermath — the events that the report in 9:36 identifies as fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy.
- Revelation 2:20–23 (thematic): The church-advice passage uses ‘Jezebel’ as a symbol of false prophecy/immorality and announces divine judgment on her and her ‘children,’ echoing the theme of Jezebel’s condemnation and punishment in the OT account.
Alternative generated candidates
- They returned and told him, and he said, "It is the word of the LORD that he spoke by the hand of his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'In the portion of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel.'"
- They returned and told him, and he said, 'It is the word of the LORD which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel."'
2 K.9.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- נבלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- כדמן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בחלק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יזרעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- איזבל: NOUN,prop,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 21:23-24 (quotation): Elijah's prophecy that 'the dogs shall eat Jezebel' and that her body would be treated with contempt — 2 Kgs 9:37 is presented as the fulfillment of that oracle.
- 2 Kgs 9:10 (allusion): Earlier oracle associated with Jehu's anointing explicitly predicts Jezebel will be eaten by dogs in Jezreel; 9:37 echoes and completes that prediction within the same narrative framework.
- 2 Kgs 9:33-35 (structural): Immediate narrative verses describing Jezebel's fall from the window, trampling by horses, and discovery of her remains — these verses form the contiguous account culminating in 9:37.
- Rev 2:20 (thematic): The church in Thyatira is rebuked for tolerating a false 'Jezebel' — later literature uses Jezebel's infamous death and character as a symbol of corrupt, idolatrous influence (thematic parallel).
- 1 Sam 31:8-13 (thematic): Saul's exposed and dishonored corpse after defeat (left on the wall, later buried) presents a thematic parallel of public disgrace and postmortem humiliation similar to Jezebel's fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- Her corpse lay like dung on the surface of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that no one could say, 'This is Jezebel.'
- Thus the corpse of Jezebel lay like dung on the surface of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that no one could say, 'This is Jezebel.'
Jehu came to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard of it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out the window.
As Jehu entered by the gate she cried, 'Is it peace, Zimri—murderer of his master?'
He turned his face to the window and said, 'Who is with me?' Two or three eunuchs looked out at him.
He said, 'Throw her down.' So they threw her down; some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled her.
Then he went in to eat and to drink, and said, 'See to it that this cursed woman be buried—for she is a king's daughter.'
They went to bury her, but they found nothing there except the skull, the feet, and the palms of the hands.
They returned and told him, and he said, 'It is the word of the LORD which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "In the portion of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel."' And the corpse of Jezebel shall be like dung on the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they shall not say, "This is Jezebel."