2 Kings 9:30

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּב֥וֹא was come H935
וַיָּב֥וֹא was come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יֵה֖וּא And when Jehu H3058
יֵה֖וּא And when Jehu
Strong's: H3058
Word #: 2 of 14
jehu, the name of five israelites
יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה to Jezreel H3157
יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה to Jezreel
Strong's: H3157
Word #: 3 of 14
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל Jezebel H348
וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל Jezebel
Strong's: H348
Word #: 4 of 14
izebel, the wife of king ahab
שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה heard H8085
שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 5 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַתָּ֨שֶׂם of it and she painted H7760
וַתָּ֨שֶׂם of it and she painted
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 6 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַּפּ֤וּךְ H6320
בַּפּ֤וּךְ
Strong's: H6320
Word #: 7 of 14
dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes)
עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ her face H5869
עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ her face
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 8 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַתֵּ֣יטֶב and tired H3190
וַתֵּ֣יטֶב and tired
Strong's: H3190
Word #: 9 of 14
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹאשָׁ֔הּ her head H7218
רֹאשָׁ֔הּ her head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 11 of 14
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף and looked out H8259
וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף and looked out
Strong's: H8259
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
בְּעַ֥ד H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's: H1157
Word #: 13 of 14
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
הַֽחַלּֽוֹן׃ at a window H2474
הַֽחַלּֽוֹן׃ at a window
Strong's: H2474
Word #: 14 of 14
a window (as perforated)

Analysis & Commentary

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.

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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