2 Kings 9:17

Authorized King James Version

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And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?

Original Language Analysis

וְהַצֹּפֶה֩ a watchman H6822
וְהַצֹּפֶה֩ a watchman
Strong's: H6822
Word #: 1 of 22
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
עֹמֵ֨ד And there stood H5975
עֹמֵ֨ד And there stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 2 of 22
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַֽל H5921
עַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמִּגְדָּ֜ל on the tower H4026
הַמִּגְדָּ֜ל on the tower
Strong's: H4026
Word #: 4 of 22
a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
בְּיִזְרְעֶ֗אל in Jezreel H3157
בְּיִזְרְעֶ֗אל in Jezreel
Strong's: H3157
Word #: 5 of 22
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
רֹאֶ֑ה I see H7200
רֹאֶ֑ה I see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שִׁפְעַ֖ת a company H8229
שִׁפְעַ֖ת a company
Strong's: H8229
Word #: 8 of 22
copiousness
יֵהוּא֙ of Jehu H3058
יֵהוּא֙ of Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 9 of 22
jehu, the name of five israelites
בְּבֹא֔וֹ as he came H935
בְּבֹא֔וֹ as he came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said H559
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
שִׁפְעַ֖ת a company H8229
שִׁפְעַ֖ת a company
Strong's: H8229
Word #: 12 of 22
copiousness
אֲנִ֣י H589
אֲנִ֣י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 13 of 22
i
רֹאֶ֑ה I see H7200
רֹאֶ֑ה I see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said H559
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 15 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוֹרָ֗ם And Joram H3088
יְהוֹרָ֗ם And Joram
Strong's: H3088
Word #: 16 of 22
jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites
קַ֥ח Take H3947
קַ֥ח Take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 17 of 22
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
רַכָּ֛ב an horseman H7395
רַכָּ֛ב an horseman
Strong's: H7395
Word #: 18 of 22
a charioteer
וּֽשְׁלַ֥ח and send H7971
וּֽשְׁלַ֥ח and send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 19 of 22
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לִקְרָאתָ֖ם to meet H7125
לִקְרָאתָ֖ם to meet
Strong's: H7125
Word #: 20 of 22
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said H559
וְיֹאמַ֥ר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 21 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ Is it peace H7965
הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ Is it peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 22 of 22
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

Analysis & Commentary

And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 9 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Violent Revolution) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection

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