2 Kings 9:22
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?
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּרְא֤וֹת
saw
H7200
כִּרְא֤וֹת
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
יְהוֹרָם֙
And it came to pass when Joram
H3088
יְהוֹרָם֙
And it came to pass when Joram
Strong's:
H3088
Word #:
3 of 17
jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
H7965
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
7 of 17
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
H7965
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
Is it peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
11 of 17
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
עַד
so long as
H5704
עַד
so long as
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
12 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אִמְּךָ֛
of thy mother
H517
אִמְּךָ֛
of thy mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
15 of 17
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
Cross References
Nahum 3:4Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.2 Chronicles 21:13But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:Revelation 18:3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.Revelation 18:23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.1 Kings 18:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)1 Kings 21:25But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 9 regarding divine judgment executed on ahab's house?
- 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
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Analysis & Commentary
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?
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.