Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. New Living Translation When Jezebel, the queen mother, heard that Jehu had come to Jezreel, she painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window. English Standard Version When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. Berean Standard Bible Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. Berean Literal Bible And Jehu had come to Jezreel, and Jezebel heard and put her eyes in paint and adorned her head, and she looked down through the window. King James Bible And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. New King James Version Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. New American Standard Bible When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and she put makeup on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked down through the window. NASB 1995 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out the window. NASB 1977 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head, and looked out the window. Legacy Standard Bible Then Jehu came to Jezreel, and Jezebel heard of it and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out the window. Amplified Bible So when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked down from the [upper] window. Berean Annotated Bible Now when Jehu (YHWH is He) arrived in Jezreel (God sows), Jezebel (Baal exalts) heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. Christian Standard Bible When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, so she painted her eyes, fixed her hair, and looked down from the window. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, so she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from the window. American Standard Version And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window. Contemporary English Version Jehu headed toward Jezreel, and when Jezebel heard he was coming, she put on eye shadow and brushed her hair. Then she stood at the window, waiting for him to arrive. English Revised Version And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and tired her head, and looked out at the window. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it. She put on eye shadow, fixed her hair, and looked out of a second-story window. Good News Translation Jehu arrived in Jezreel. Jezebel, having heard what had happened, put on eye shadow, arranged her hair, and stood looking down at the street from a window in the palace. International Standard Version As soon as Jehu arrived at Jezreel, Jezebel adorned her eyes, arranged her hair, and peered out a window. NET Bible Jehu approached Jezreel. When Jezebel heard the news, she put on some eye liner, fixed up her hair, and leaned out the window. New Heart English Bible When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window. Webster's Bible Translation And when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and adorned her head, and looked out at a window. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. World English Bible When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jehu comes to Jezreel, and Jezebel has heard, and puts her eyes in paint and beautifies her head, and looks out through the window. Berean Literal Bible And Jehu had come to Jezreel, and Jezebel heard and put her eyes in paint and adorned her head, and she looked down through the window. Young's Literal Translation And Jehu cometh in to Jezreel, and Jezebel hath heard, and putteth her eyes in paint and maketh right her head, and looketh out through the window. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehu will come to Jezreel, and Jezebel heard, and she will put her eyes in paint, and do her head good, and she will look through the window. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jehu came into Jezrahel. But Jezabel hearing of his coming in, painted her face with stibic stone, and adorned her head, and looked out of a window Catholic Public Domain Version And Jehu went into Jezreel. But Jezebel, hearing of his arrival, painted her eyes with cosmetics, and adorned her head. And she watched through a window, New American Bible Jehu came to Jezreel, and when Jezebel heard of it, she shadowed her eyes, adorned her hair, and looked down from her window. New Revised Standard Version When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out of the window. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyelids with kohl, and adorned her head, and looked out a window. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yahu came to Yizreil, and Izabeil heard and she painted her eyes with black lead and girt her head, and she looked out from a window. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Ju came to Jezrael; and Jezabel heard of it, and coloured her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked through the window. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Murder of Jezebel30Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. 31And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?”… Cross References Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel 2 Kings 10:11 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. Hosea 1:4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 1 Kings 21:1-2 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” Jezebel heard of it 1 Kings 19:1-2 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” 1 Kings 21:11-15 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. … Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head Ezekiel 23:40 Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry. Jeremiah 4:30 And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life. Isaiah 3:18-24 In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; / their pendants, bracelets, and veils; / their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; … and looked down from a window Judges 5:28 Sisera’s mother looked through the window; she peered through the lattice and lamented: ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? What has delayed the clatter of his chariots?’ 2 Samuel 6:16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. Proverbs 7:6 For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. 1 Kings 16:31 And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. 1 Kings 21:23 And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ 1 Kings 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.) 1 Kings 21:5-7 Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?” / Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’” / But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” Treasury of Scripture And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. Jezebel 1 Kings 19:1,2 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword… Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. Ezekiel 23:40 And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, tired Isaiah 3:18-24 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, … Ezekiel 24:17 Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. 1 Timothy 2:9,10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; … Jump to Previous Adorned Arranged Attired Dressing Eyes Face Hair Head Heard Jehu Jezebel Jez'ebel Jezreel Maketh News Ornaments Paint Painted Painting Putteth Right Tired WindowJump to Next Adorned Arranged Attired Dressing Eyes Face Hair Head Heard Jehu Jezebel Jez'ebel Jezreel Maketh News Ornaments Paint Painted Painting Putteth Right Tired Window2 Kings 9 1. Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth Gilead4. 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. Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel Jezreel was a significant city in the northern kingdom of Israel, often associated with the royal family. Jehu's arrival marks a pivotal moment in the fulfillment of God's judgment against the house of Ahab, as prophesied by Elijah (1 Kings 21:21-24). Jehu, anointed as king by a prophet sent by Elisha (2 Kings 9:1-13), was tasked with eradicating the idolatrous influence of Ahab's lineage. Jezreel, being a royal city, was a strategic location for Jehu to assert his authority and begin his divinely appointed mission. Jezebel heard of it So she painted her eyes, adorned her head and looked down from a window Persons / Places / Events 1. JehuAnointed by God through the prophet Elisha to become king of Israel, Jehu is tasked with eradicating the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal. 2. Jezebel The wife of King Ahab, known for her idolatry and persecution of the prophets of Yahweh. Her actions and influence led Israel into sin. 3. Jezreel A city in the northern kingdom of Israel, significant as the location where Jehu confronts Jezebel. 4. The Window Symbolic of Jezebel's defiance and her attempt to maintain control and influence even in the face of impending judgment. Teaching Points The Consequences of IdolatryJezebel's life and death serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of leading others away from God. Her account warns against the seduction of idolatry and the eventual judgment that follows. God's Sovereignty in Judgment Jehu's mission underscores God's control over history and His ability to bring about justice in His timing. Believers can trust in God's righteous judgment. The Illusion of Control Jezebel's actions in preparing herself and looking out the window illustrate the futility of human attempts to maintain control against God's will. True security is found in submission to God. The Role of Prophetic Fulfillment The events in Jezreel demonstrate the importance of God's prophetic word. Believers are encouraged to study and trust in the fulfillment of God's promises. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 9:30?2. How does Jezebel's behavior in 2 Kings 9:30 reflect her character throughout Scripture? 3. What can we learn from Jezebel's actions about the dangers of pride? 4. How does 2 Kings 9:30 connect to the prophecy about Jezebel's fate in 1 Kings? 5. In what ways can we guard against vanity and pride in our own lives? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Jezebel's story to our spiritual walk? 7. Why did Jezebel adorn herself before facing Jehu in 2 Kings 9:30? 8. What does Jezebel's makeup symbolize in 2 Kings 9:30? 9. How does 2 Kings 9:30 reflect on the theme of vanity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 9? 11. What events are described in 2 Kings? 12. Is there archaeological evidence supporting Jehu’s violent overthrow of Joram and the circumstances of Jezebel’s death (2 Kings 9:21–37)? 13. Why is Elijah’s prophecy (1 Kings 21:21–24) fulfilled in a manner that may seem inconsistent with God’s justice elsewhere in Scripture? 14. Is it appropriate for Christian women to wear makeup? What Does 2 Kings 9:30 Mean Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel“Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel…” (2 Kings 9:30) • Jehu enters the city as the newly anointed king charged with eradicating Ahab’s wicked line (2 Kings 9:6–10; 1 Kings 19:16–17). • His coming fulfills earlier prophecy of judgment (1 Kings 21:21–24). • Like Gideon’s swift ride to confront idolatry (Judges 6:25–27), Jehu’s prompt arrival signals decisive divine intervention. Jezebel heard of it “…Jezebel heard of it.” • Jezebel’s alertness shows her influence still lingers even after Ahab’s death (1 Kings 21:25; 2 Kings 9:7). • Her knowledge of Jehu recalls how she once controlled information and power in Israel (1 Kings 18:4, 13). • Revelation 2:20 later uses her name as a byword for corrupting authority, underscoring the enduring impact of her rebellion. So she painted her eyes “…So she painted her eyes…” • Cosmetic eye painting was associated with allure and manipulation (Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:40). • Jezebel attempts to project confidence and seduction rather than penitence, contrasting with Nineveh’s repentance under Jonah (Jonah 3:5–8). • The gesture reveals a heart unchanged, echoing Proverbs 7:10’s portrayal of the adulteress “dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.” adorned her head “…adorned her head…” • Royal attire underscores her pride and attachment to status (Isaiah 3:16–24). • She clings to earthly glory even as divine judgment approaches, mirroring the rich man oblivious to his imminent end (Luke 12:16–21). • Her outward preparation contrasts with the inward readiness God desires (1 Peter 3:3–4). and looked down from a window “…and looked down from a window.” • The elevated position suggests disdain and defiance, like Michal despising David from a window (2 Samuel 6:16). • Windows in Scripture often mark pivotal moments of judgment or deliverance—Rahab’s scarlet cord (Joshua 2:15) vs. Jezebel’s impending fall (2 Kings 9:33). • By gazing down, she literally and figuratively looks down on God’s appointed agent, sealing her fate. summary Every choice Jezebel makes in this verse—her awareness, cosmetics, regal display, and lofty perch—exposes a heart unrepentant and proud in the face of God’s declared judgment. Rather than humble herself, she trusts in beauty, status, and scorn, illustrating the timeless warning that outward adornment cannot shield anyone from the righteous justice of the Lord (James 4:6; Hebrews 10:31). (30) And when Jehu was come.--Rather, And Jehu came--i.e., after the slaughter of Ahaziah, as the Hebrew construction implies.Jezebel heard of it.--Rather, Now Jezebel had heard--scil., the news of the death of the two kings. There should be a stop after Jezreel. And she painted her face.--Rather, and she set her eyes in paint--i.e., according to the still common practice of Oriental ladies, she painted her eyebrows and lashes with a pigment composed of antimony and zinc (the Arabic kohl). The dark border throws the eye into relief, and makes it appear larger (Bahr). Pliny relates that in his day this pigment (stibium) was called platyophthalmon (comp. Jeremiah 4:30), because it dilates the eye (Plin. Hist. Nat. xxxiii. 34). Tired.--An old English word, meaning adorned with a tire or head-dress. (Comp. Isaiah 3:18.) Tire might seem to be the Persian tiara, but is much more probably connected with the German zier and zieren. (See Skea?s Etym. Dict., s.v) Jezebel put on her royal apparel in order to die as a queen. Comp. the similar behaviour of Cleopatra:-- "Show me, my women, like a queen. Go fetch My best attires. I am again tor Cydnus, To meet Marc Antony . . . Bring our crown, and all. ***** . . . Verse 30. - And when Jehu was come to Jezreel. Some commentators suppose that Jehu did not engage personally in the pursuit of Ahaziah, but, leaving that to a portion of his retinue, pushed on with all haste to Jezreel, where Jezebel was, "the originator of all the mischief." But it is certainly more natural to understand (with Keil and Josephus) that Jehu himself pursued. The pursuit to Ibleam, where Ahaziah was mortally wounded, and the return to Jezreel, need not have occupied more than about three hours. Jezebel heard of it. She would naturally be the first to hear. On the death of her son, which must have been plainly seen from the walls of Jezreel, she become practically the chief authority in the place, and indeed in the kingdom. Jehoram's sons were probably minors. And she painted her face; literally, and she put her eyes in antimony; i.e. she adorned her eyes with the dark dye which has always been fashionable in the East, and which is still used at the present day. The dye is spread both on the upper and the lower eyelids. It at once increases the apparent size of the eye, and gives it unnatural brilliancy. The Oriental nations, Babylonians, Assyrians, Medes, Persians, were acquainted with the practice from very early times; and it is not surprising that it was known to Jezebel. What was her exact object in applying it is more doubtful. The older commentators, who are followed by Ewald, suppose that she intended to "summon up all her seductive fascinations in order to tempt and conquer Jehu;" but more recent writers (Bahr, Keil, and others) argue that her probable age renders this incredible, since she had already a grandson who was twenty-three years of age (2 Kings 8:26), and must therefore have been herself at least fifty. But, if we remember that Cleopatra was forty when She held Antony as her slave and hoped to captivate Augustus, it would seem to be not altogether beyond the bounds of possibility that a Phoouician princess of fifty may have thought that, by the use of art, she might reader herself a captivating personage. There is, at any rate no evidence that "putting the eyes in antimony" was an ordinary or a fitting preparation for meeting death in a way worthy of a queen. Ewald's view has, therefore much to commend it to our acceptance. Jezebel, trusting in the charms and the fascination which had been so potent over Ahab, may have imagined that she had still enough beauty left to capture Jehu, provided she increased her natural attractions by a careful use of all the resources of art. And tired her head. Phoenician statues of goddesses have their hair arranged in long pendent curls, and bear on their heads a small conical cap with a ribbon wreathed round the base. The artists probably had queens and princesses as their models. There is no evidence that false hair was worn in Phoenicia, either by men or women. And looked out at a window. Windows, sometimes open, sometimes latticed, were common in Oriental houses from the earliest times. They mostly looked into the court round which a house was commonly built; but some few were in the external wall of the building; and through these new arrivals might be reconnoitered. Jezebel "looked out," partly to see, but perhaps still more to be seen.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now when Jehuיֵה֖וּא (yê·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites arrived וַיָּב֥וֹא (way·yā·ḇō·w) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go in Jezreel, יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה (yiz·rə·‘e·lāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3157: Jezreel -- 'God sows', two Israelites, also two cities in Israel, also a valley in Northern Israel Jezebel וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל (wə·’î·ze·ḇel) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 348: Jezebel -- queen of Israel with King Ahab heard [of it]. שָׁמְעָ֗ה (šā·mə·‘āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently So she painted וַתָּ֨שֶׂם (wat·tā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set her eyes, עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ (‘ê·ne·hā) Noun - cdc | third person feminine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain adorned וַתֵּ֣יטֶב (wat·tê·ṭeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing her head, רֹאשָׁ֔הּ (rō·šāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7218: The head and looked down וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף (wat·taš·qêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 8259: To overhang, look out or down from בְּעַ֥ד (bə·‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for a window. הַחַלּֽוֹן׃ (ha·ḥal·lō·wn) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 2474: A window Links 2 Kings 9:30 NIV2 Kings 9:30 NLT 2 Kings 9:30 ESV 2 Kings 9:30 NASB 2 Kings 9:30 KJV 2 Kings 9:30 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 9:30 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 9:30 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 9:30 French Bible 2 Kings 9:30 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 9:30 When Jehu was come to Jezreel Jezebel (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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