2 Kings 9:36

Authorized King James Version

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Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּשֻׁבוּ֮ Wherefore they came again H7725
וַיָּשֻׁבוּ֮ Wherefore they came again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ and told H5046
וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ and told
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 2 of 21
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לוֹ֒ H0
לוֹ֒
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 21
לֵאמֹ֑ר him And he said H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר him And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 4 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
דְּבַר This is the word H1697
דְּבַר This is the word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 5 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 21
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֗ר which he spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֗ר which he spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 9 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּיַד by H3027
בְּיַד by
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 10 of 21
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
עַבְדּ֛וֹ his servant H5650
עַבְדּ֛וֹ his servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 11 of 21
a servant
אֵֽלִיָּ֥הוּ Elijah H452
אֵֽלִיָּ֥הוּ Elijah
Strong's: H452
Word #: 12 of 21
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י the Tishbite H8664
הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י the Tishbite
Strong's: H8664
Word #: 13 of 21
a tishbite or inhabitant of tishbeh (in gilead)
לֵאמֹ֑ר him And he said H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר him And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 14 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
בְּחֵ֣לֶק In the portion H2506
בְּחֵ֣לֶק In the portion
Strong's: H2506
Word #: 15 of 21
properly, smoothness (of the tongue)
יִזְרְעֶ֔אל of Jezreel H3157
יִזְרְעֶ֔אל of Jezreel
Strong's: H3157
Word #: 16 of 21
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
יֹֽאכְל֥וּ eat H398
יֹֽאכְל֥וּ eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 17 of 21
to eat (literally or figuratively)
הַכְּלָבִ֖ים shall dogs H3611
הַכְּלָבִ֖ים shall dogs
Strong's: H3611
Word #: 18 of 21
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּשַׂ֥ר the flesh H1320
בְּשַׂ֥ר the flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 20 of 21
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
אִיזָֽבֶל׃ of Jezebel H348
אִיזָֽבֶל׃ of Jezebel
Strong's: H348
Word #: 21 of 21
izebel, the wife of king ahab

Analysis & Commentary

Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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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