2 Kings 10:24
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.
Original Language Analysis
מֵבִ֣יא
And when they went in
H935
מֵבִ֣יא
And when they went in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
to offer
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
to offer
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
זְבָחִ֣ים
sacrifices
H2077
זְבָחִ֣ים
sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
וְעֹל֑וֹת
and burnt offerings
H5930
וְעֹל֑וֹת
and burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
4 of 24
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
שָֽׂם
appointed
H7760
שָֽׂם
appointed
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
6 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַחוּץ֙
without
H2351
בַחוּץ֙
without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִמָּלֵט֙
escape
H4422
יִמָּלֵט֙
escape
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים
If any
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מֵבִ֣יא
And when they went in
H935
מֵבִ֣יא
And when they went in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
19 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְדֵיכֶ֔ם
into your hands
H3027
יְדֵיכֶ֔ם
into your hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
21 of 24
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
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
he that letteth him go his life
H5315
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
he that letteth him go his life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 10 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Purge Continues) 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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 10 regarding zeal for god without heart transformation?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 10: Zeal for God without heart transformation. 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.