2 Kings 9:20

Authorized King James Version

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And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּגֵּ֤ד told H5046
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד told
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
הַצֹּפֶה֙ And the watchman H6822
הַצֹּפֶה֙ And the watchman
Strong's: H6822
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
בָּ֥א He came H935
בָּ֥א He came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 4 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 5 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם H413
אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁ֑ב even unto them and cometh not again H7725
שָׁ֑ב even unto them and cometh not again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 8 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כְּמִנְהַג֙ and the driving H4491
כְּמִנְהַג֙ and the driving
Strong's: H4491
Word #: 9 of 16
the driving (of a chariot)
כְּמִנְהַג֙ and the driving H4491
כְּמִנְהַג֙ and the driving
Strong's: H4491
Word #: 10 of 16
the driving (of a chariot)
יֵה֣וּא of Jehu H3058
יֵה֣וּא of Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 11 of 16
jehu, the name of five israelites
בֶן the son H1121
בֶן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 12 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נִמְשִׁ֔י of Nimshi H5250
נִמְשִׁ֔י of Nimshi
Strong's: H5250
Word #: 13 of 16
nimshi, the (grand-)father of jehu
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן furiously H7697
בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן furiously
Strong's: H7697
Word #: 15 of 16
craziness
יִנְהָֽג׃ for he driveth H5090
יִנְהָֽג׃ for he driveth
Strong's: H5090
Word #: 16 of 16
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

Analysis & Commentary

And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.

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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