2 Kings 9:22

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִּרְא֤וֹת
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#3
יְהוֹרָם֙
And it came to pass when Joram
jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
יֵה֑וּא
Jehu
jehu, the name of five israelites
#6
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#8
יֵה֑וּא
Jehu
jehu, the name of five israelites
#9
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
מָ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#11
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#12
עַד
so long as
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#13
זְנוּנֵ֞י
the whoredoms
adultery; figuratively, idolatry
#14
אִיזֶ֧בֶל
Jezebel
izebel, the wife of king ahab
#15
אִמְּךָ֛
of thy mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#16
וּכְשָׁפֶ֖יהָ
and her witchcrafts
magic
#17
הָֽרַבִּֽים׃
are so many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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