2 Kings Chapter 9 · Verse 30
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)
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
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
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)
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:30And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.Ezekiel 23:40And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,Ezekiel 24:17Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.1 Peter 3:3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
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?
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.