2 Kings 9:24

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְיֵה֞וּא And Jehu H3058
וְיֵה֞וּא And Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 1 of 14
jehu, the name of five israelites
מִלֵּ֧א with his full H4390
מִלֵּ֧א with his full
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 2 of 14
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
יָד֣וֹ strength H3027
יָד֣וֹ strength
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 3 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת drew a bow H7198
בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת drew a bow
Strong's: H7198
Word #: 4 of 14
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
וַיַּ֤ךְ and smote H5221
וַיַּ֤ךְ and smote
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 5 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוֹרָם֙ Jehoram H3088
יְהוֹרָם֙ Jehoram
Strong's: H3088
Word #: 7 of 14
jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites
בֵּ֣ין H996
בֵּ֣ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 8 of 14
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
זְרֹעָ֔יו between his arms H2220
זְרֹעָ֔יו between his arms
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 9 of 14
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וַיֵּצֵ֥א went out H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֥א went out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 10 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַחֵ֖צִי and the arrow H2678
הַחֵ֖צִי and the arrow
Strong's: H2678
Word #: 11 of 14
an arrow
מִלִּבּ֑וֹ at his heart H3820
מִלִּבּ֑וֹ at his heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 12 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וַיִּכְרַ֖ע and he sunk down H3766
וַיִּכְרַ֖ע and he sunk down
Strong's: H3766
Word #: 13 of 14
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃ in his chariot H7393
בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃ in his chariot
Strong's: H7393
Word #: 14 of 14
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

Analysis & Commentary

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.

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.

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