2 Kings 10 22

2 Kings 10:22 kjv

And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.

2 Kings 10:22 nkjv

And he said to the one in charge of the wardrobe, "Bring out vestments for all the worshipers of Baal." So he brought out vestments for them.

2 Kings 10:22 niv

And Jehu said to the keeper of the wardrobe, "Bring robes for all the servants of Baal." So he brought out robes for them.

2 Kings 10:22 esv

He said to him who was in charge of the wardrobe, "Bring out the vestments for all the worshipers of Baal." So he brought out the vestments for them.

2 Kings 10:22 nlt

And Jehu instructed the keeper of the wardrobe, "Be sure that every worshiper of Baal wears one of these robes." So robes were given to them.

2 Kings 10 verses

2 Kings 10 22 Meaning

The verse details Jehu's strategic command to his servant to retrieve and distribute specific garments, or "vestments," to all those who worshiped Baal. This action was part of a larger, deceptive plot orchestrated by Jehu to gather, identify, and utterly annihilate the followers of Baal, thereby fulfilling God's judgment against this idolatry in Israel. It underscores the precision and deliberate nature of Jehu's purge against a deeply entrenched false religion.

2 Kings 10 22 Context

The immediate context of 2 Kings 10 details Jehu's ruthless and methodical purge of the house of Ahab and the widespread Baal worship that had infected Israel, particularly during the reigns of Ahab and Jezebel. Having already executed King Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel, and all of Ahab's descendants in Samaria, Jehu sets his sights on Baal worship itself. He gathers all the worshipers of Baal, claiming to offer an even greater sacrifice to Baal than Ahab, as a grand deception. This verse sets the stage for the climatic destruction by requiring the specific cultic garments for "all" the Baal worshipers, ensuring that only devotees of Baal, easily identifiable, would be present for the trap. Historically, Baal worship was a pervasive Canaanite fertility cult that directly rivaled the worship of Yahweh, threatening the purity of Israelite religion and the nation's covenant relationship with God. Jehu's actions represent a decisive, albeit violent, fulfillment of God's judgment against idolatry and a restoration of Yahweh's sole sovereignty. It acts as a polemic, starkly demonstrating the ultimate powerlessness of Baal and the active wrath of Yahweh against rival deities.

2 Kings 10 22 Word analysis

(ul)

• And he said to him: Implies Jehu addressing a trusted subordinate or aide, indicating the issuance of a specific command. This suggests a hierarchical structure and Jehu's absolute authority in this context.
• 'Go in': An imperative verb (בֹא, bō’) that commands immediate entry into a specific location, likely a storeroom or inner chamber where such cultic items were kept.
• 'and bring out': Another imperative verb (הוֹצֵא, hôṣē’), commanding the retrieval and presentation of the items. Together with "go in," it highlights a direct, hands-on command for precise action.
• 'the vestments' (הַמַּלְבּוּשׁ, ham-malbûš): Refers to specific garments or robes used for religious or ceremonial purposes. These were likely distinct, formal attire worn by Baal priests and serious devotees during worship to identify themselves and differentiate from ordinary clothing. The very existence of such a supply indicates the well-organized and established nature of Baal worship at that time, mirroring, in a perverted way, the sacred garments of Yahweh's priesthood (e.g., Ex 28). Jehu's request for these robes was crucial for identifying every active Baal worshiper present, ensuring none escaped his planned purge.
• 'for all' (לְכֹל, lĕ-ḵol): Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of Jehu's purge. The aim was to include every single Baal worshiper in his trap, leaving no one behind to continue the cult. This reflects the complete and thorough nature of God's judgment against Baal.
• 'the worshipers of Baal' (עֹבְדֵי הַבַּעַל, ‘ōḇĕḏê hab-Ba‘al):
  • 'worshipers' (עֹבְדֵי, ‘ōḇĕḏê): The participle of the verb עָבַד (‘ābad), meaning "to serve," "to work," or "to worship." This signifies active, dedicated adherents who are deeply involved in the service or ritual of Baal. It's not just passive belief but active participation.
  • 'Baal' (הַבַּעַל, hab-Ba‘al): A generic Semitic title meaning "lord" or "master," but commonly referred to the chief Canaanite fertility god. His worship often involved sexual rituals and child sacrifice, in direct opposition to Yahweh's commands. Jehu's focus specifically on Baal underscores the main spiritual conflict of the era.

2 Kings 10 22 Bonus section

(ul)

• Irony of the Vestments: The irony of the situation lies in the purpose of the vestments themselves. Intended to identify those serving Baal for their ritual worship, they ultimately served to identify them for their demise. What was prepared for pagan service became an instrument for their destruction, fulfilling Yahweh's will.
• Mirroring and Mismatch: The existence of special vestments for Baal worship mirrors the sacred priestly garments commanded by Yahweh in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Ex 28). This suggests the sophisticated, organized, and almost "legitimate" feel of the Baal cult within Israel, making Jehu's purge even more necessary and dramatic. The mismatch lies in the destination – vestments for worship of Yahweh lead to life and blessing; vestments for Baal worship lead to judgment and death.
• The Deceptive Nature of the Plan: This verse highlights Jehu's willingness to use strategic deception to achieve a divinely mandated goal. While Jehu's actions were ruthless, they were also the fulfillment of prophecy and a necessary step to eradicate deep-seated idolatry that had defiled the land and led Israel astray from their covenant with God.

2 Kings 10 22 Commentary

2 Kings 10:22 marks a pivotal moment in Jehu's strategic extermination of Baal worship in Israel. The seemingly benign command for specific cultic vestments reveals the intricate and deceptive nature of his plan. By demanding these unique robes, Jehu ensured the unambiguous identification of true Baal adherents, enabling him to separate them completely from any lingering followers of Yahweh. This precision allowed for the thoroughness required for such a decisive judgment. The verse underscores Jehu's cunning, demonstrating how he leveraged the established rituals of Baal worship against its very practitioners. It served as a final gathering, not for devotion to Baal, but for ultimate destruction, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute supremacy over rival gods and His commitment to purging idolatry from His people. This act concludes a significant phase of divine retribution and purges a major spiritual threat to Israel's covenant fidelity.