2 Kings 9:24
New International Version
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot.

New Living Translation
But Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he sank down dead in his chariot.

English Standard Version
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

King James Bible
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

New King James Version
Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot.

New American Standard Bible
Then Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his arms; and the arrow went through his heart, and he sank in his chariot.

NASB 1995
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his arms; and the arrow went through his heart and he sank in his chariot.

NASB 1977
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his arms; and the arrow went through his heart, and he sank in his chariot.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went through his heart and he crouched down in his chariot.

Amplified Bible
But Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his shoulders; and the arrow went out through his heart and he sank down in his chariot.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow went through his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow went through his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

American Standard Version
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and smote Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

Contemporary English Version
Jehu shot an arrow. It hit Joram between his shoulders, then it went through his heart and came out his chest. He fell over dead in his chariot.

English Revised Version
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and smote Joram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Jehu took his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow came out of his chest, and he slumped over in his chariot.

Good News Translation
Jehu drew his bow, and with all his strength shot an arrow that struck Joram in the back and pierced his heart. Joram fell dead in his chariot,

International Standard Version
But Jehu drew his bow with all of his strength, shooting Joram between his shoulder blades. The arrow pierced his heart, and he collapsed in his chariot.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.

NET Bible
Jehu aimed his bow and shot an arrow right between Jehoram's shoulders. The arrow went through his heart and he fell to his knees in his chariot.

New Heart English Bible
Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

World English Bible
Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and struck Joram between his arms; and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jehu has filled his hand with a bow, and strikes Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow goes out from his heart, and he bows down in his chariot.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehu hath filled his hand with a bow, and smiteth Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow goeth out from his heart, and he boweth down in his chariot.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehu filled his hand with a bow, and he will strike Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow will go forth from his heart, and he will bow down in his chariot.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Jehu bent Iris bow with his hand, and shot Joram between the shoulders: and the arrow went out through his heart, and immediately he fell in his chariot.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Jehu bent his bow with his hand, and he struck Joram between the shoulders. And the arrow went through his heart, and immediately he fell in his chariot.

New American Bible
But Jehu had drawn his bow and he shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow went through his heart and he collapsed in his chariot.

New Revised Standard Version
Jehu drew his bow with all his strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart; and he sank in his chariot.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Joram in his back, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehu filled his hand with a bow and struck Yoram between his arms, and the arrow went out from his heart, and he slumped over in the chariot.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and smote Joram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ju bent his bow with his full strength, and smote Joram between his arms, and his arrow went out at his heart, and he bowed upon his knees.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah
23Joram turned around and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” 24Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot. 25And Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember that when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD lifted up this burden against him:…

Cross References
1 Kings 22:34-35
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” / The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. And the blood from his wound ran out onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.

2 Chronicles 18:33-34
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” / The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died.

1 Samuel 31:3-4
When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. / Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

2 Samuel 18:14
But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.

1 Kings 19:17
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

2 Kings 8:28-29
Then Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, and the Arameans wounded Joram. / So King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramah when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.

2 Kings 10:10-11
Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.” / So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.

2 Kings 10:17
When Jehu came to Samaria, he struck down everyone belonging to Ahab who remained there, until he had destroyed them, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to Elijah.

2 Kings 11:1
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 Kings 23:29-30
During Josiah’s reign, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt marched up to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went out to confront him, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo. / From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

2 Chronicles 35:23-24
There the archers shot King Josiah, who said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded!” / So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. And Josiah was buried in the tomb of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

Isaiah 31:8
“Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.

Jeremiah 41:2
Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land.

Ezekiel 21:30
Return the sword to its sheath! In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you.

Matthew 27:49-50
But the others said, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.” / When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

1 Kings 22:34
And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

Job 20:23-25
When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating…

Psalm 50:22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

sunk [heb] bowed

Jump to Previous
Arms Arrow Bow Boweth Chariot Drew Face Filled Full Hand Heart Jehoram Jehu Joram Pierced Sank Shot Shoulders Smiteth Smote Strength Struck Sunk Wounding
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Arms Arrow Bow Boweth Chariot Drew Face Filled Full Hand Heart Jehoram Jehu Joram Pierced Sank Shot Shoulders Smiteth Smote Strength Struck Sunk Wounding
2 Kings 9
1. Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth Gilead
4. The prophet having done his message, flees
11. Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth
27. Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem
30. Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs.














But Jehu drew his bow
The phrase begins with Jehu, a central figure in this narrative, who was anointed by a prophet to become king over Israel (2 Kings 9:1-13). The act of drawing a bow signifies preparation and intent. In Hebrew, the word for "bow" is "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet), which often symbolizes strength and warfare. Jehu's action is deliberate, fulfilling God's judgment against the house of Ahab, as prophesied by Elijah (1 Kings 21:21-24). This moment underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of prophecy.

and shot Joram
Joram, also known as Jehoram, was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, and the king of Israel at the time. His reign was marked by idolatry and evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 3:1-3). The Hebrew root for "shot" is "יָרָה" (yarah), which can mean to throw or cast, indicating a decisive and targeted action. This act of shooting Joram is not just a political maneuver but a divine retribution for the sins of his family, particularly the worship of Baal.

between the shoulders
This phrase describes the precise location where the arrow struck Joram. The Hebrew term "בֵּין" (bein) means "between," indicating a vulnerable spot. The shoulders are symbolic of strength and burden-bearing, and the arrow's penetration here signifies the collapse of Joram's power and the end of his dynasty. It is a vivid depiction of the inescapable nature of God's judgment.

The arrow pierced his heart
The heart, "לֵב" (lev) in Hebrew, is often seen as the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. The piercing of Joram's heart symbolizes the totality of God's judgment penetrating to the core of his being. It is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the thoroughness of divine justice. This act fulfills the prophetic word against the house of Ahab, demonstrating that God's word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

and he slumped down in his chariot
The image of Joram slumping in his chariot is one of defeat and finality. The chariot, a symbol of royal power and military might, becomes the scene of his demise. The Hebrew word for "slumped" is "כָּרַע" (karah), which can mean to bow down or collapse. This moment signifies the humbling of a king who defied God, illustrating the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the ultimate triumph of His righteousness.

(24) And Jehu drew . . . strength.--See margin, which, however, is not quite accurate. Rather it should be, And Jehu had filled his hand (with an arrow) on the bow--i.e., had meanwhile put an arrow on his bow ready to shoot. Keil explains, "filled his hand with the bow," i.e., seized the bow. The phrase "to fill a bow" means to stretch it, both in Hebrew (Zechariah 9:13) and in Syriac (Psalm 11:2). In Psalm 64:4. Symmachus renders the Hebrew, "they have aimed their arrow," by the Greek, ????????? ?? ?????, "they have filled the bow."

Between his arms--i.e., between the shoulders, as he was flying; Vulg., "inter scapulas."

The arrow went out at his heart.--Or, came out from his heart. It struck him obliquely between the shoulders, and went right through the heart. (The word for "arrow" is h?ci, an ancient form, occurring thrice in 1Samuel 20:36-38.) Ewald, on this account, refers both passages to the oldest narrator of the history of the kings.

Sunk down.--See margin (Isaiah 46:1). . . .

Verse 24. - And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength. This meaning is scarcely contained in the Hebrew, which merely says that Jehu "filled his hand with his bow," that is to say, took his bow into his hands for the purpose of using it. And smote Jehoram between his arms; i.e. directed an arrow against Jehoram with so true an aim, that it struck him in the middle of the back between his shoulders. And the arrow went out at his heart. This was quite possible, for the heart lies towards the center of the chest, not wholly on the left side. It is not necessary to suppose an oblique wound. And he sank down in his chariot. Jehoram fell into the "well," or body, of the chariot, and there lay, the chariot being brought to a stand.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Jehu
וְיֵה֞וּא (wə·yê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

drew
מִלֵּ֧א (mil·lê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

his bow
בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת (ḇaq·qe·šeṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

and shot
וַיַּ֤ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

Joram
יְהוֹרָם֙ (yə·hō·w·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3088: Jehoram -- 'the LORD is exalted', the name of several Israelites

between
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the shoulders.
זְרֹעָ֔יו (zə·rō·‘āw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2220: The arm, the foreleg, force

The arrow
הַחֵ֖צִי (ha·ḥê·ṣî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2678: An arrow

pierced
וַיֵּצֵ֥א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

his heart,
מִלִּבּ֑וֹ (mil·lib·bōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

and he slumped down
וַיִּכְרַ֖ע (way·yiḵ·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

in his chariot.
בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃ (bə·riḵ·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone


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OT History: 2 Kings 9:24 Jehu drew his bow with his full (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 9:23
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