2 Kings 9 7

2 Kings 9:7 kjv

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

2 Kings 9:7 nkjv

You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

2 Kings 9:7 niv

You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD's servants shed by Jezebel.

2 Kings 9:7 esv

And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD.

2 Kings 9:7 nlt

You are to destroy the family of Ahab, your master. In this way, I will avenge the murder of my prophets and all the LORD's servants who were killed by Jezebel.

2 Kings 9 verses

2 Kings 9 7 Meaning

This verse contains a direct divine command delivered to Jehu, instructing him to decisively destroy the royal house of Ahab. The stated purpose of this devastating act is to execute God's justice, avenging the innocent blood of His dedicated servants – specifically the prophets and other servants of the Lord – who were brutally persecuted and killed by Jezebel. It is a clear declaration of divine retribution for gross injustice and idolatry, carried out through human agency.

2 Kings 9 7 Context

This verse is part of the pivotal narrative in 2 Kings 9 concerning Jehu's anointing as king of Israel. Immediately preceding this verse, Elisha, the prophet of God, commands one of his disciples (referred to as a "son of the prophets") to go to Ramoth-gilead, secretly anoint Jehu as king, and deliver a specific divine message. The broader historical context is the deeply entrenched idolatry and wickedness prevalent in Israel under the Omride dynasty, initiated by King Omri and severely intensified by King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel. Their reign introduced official Baal worship and led to severe persecution of the prophets and followers of Yahweh. The prophecy delivered in this verse, therefore, is the direct fulfillment of Elijah's earlier declaration of judgment against Ahab's house (1 Kgs 21:20-24) due to his complicity in Naboth's murder and the promotion of Baal worship. This anointing and commission represent God's active intervention to cleanse Israel from the deep-seated spiritual corruption and restore justice.

2 Kings 9 7 Word analysis

• "You are to strike down": (Hebrew: וְהִכִּיתָ֗ Hiphil perfect with waw-consecutive). This form indicates a strong, direct, and imperative command for Jehu to act immediately and decisively. The verb (נָכָה, nakah) means to strike, smite, kill, or slay, often with a sense of utterly defeating or destroying. It implies the execution of a definitive, devastating blow, signifying complete annihilation of the dynasty.
• "the house of Ahab your master": (Hebrew: אֶת־בֵּית֩ אַחְאָ֨ב אֲדֹנֶ֜יךָ).
  • "house of Ahab" (בֵּית אַחְאָב, beit Ahab): "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) in this context refers to the entire dynasty, family line, and descendants of Ahab, not just his physical residence. This indicates the complete eradication of his lineage as rulers.
  • "your master" (אֲדֹנֶיךָ, adonekha): Jehu, being one of Joram's (Ahab's son) commanders, was subordinate. This term emphasizes the radical inversion of authority: a divine decree elevates a servant to execute judgment on his former master's household, highlighting Yahweh's supreme sovereignty over all earthly rulers.
• "so that I may avenge": (Hebrew: וְהִכֵּתָ֥הּ Hiphil imperative/infinitive construct of נָקַם, naqam or לְהַשִּׁמּוֹת infinitive of שׁמם, shamam). The phrase could also be rendered "that I may requite/render" or "that vengeance may be taken." The Septuagint's use of ἐκδικέω (ekdikeō) confirms the meaning of "avenge." This signifies God's own retributive justice; Jehu is merely His instrument. It asserts God's attribute as a righteous judge who repays evil.
• "the blood of My servants the prophets": (Hebrew: דְּמֵי עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִיאִים, demei avaday han-nevi'im).
  • "the blood" (דְּמֵי, demei): Refers to the violent death and shed innocent lives, emphasizing the severity of the injustice committed. Blood calls for vengeance (Gen 4:10).
  • "My servants" (עֲבָדַי, avaday): A possessive term indicating God's special relationship with and ownership of these individuals. Their suffering is His personal offense, underscoring His profound concern and commitment to protecting those devoted to Him.
  • "the prophets" (הַנְּבִיאִים, han-nevi'im): A specific group of servants who communicated God's word, highlighting the heinous nature of persecuting God's messengers.
• "and the blood of all the servants of the Lord": (Hebrew: וְדַם כָּל־עַבְדֵי יְהוָה, ve-dam kol-avdei Yahweh). This expands the scope beyond just the named prophets to include any and all faithful Yahweh worshipers who suffered persecution under Ahab and Jezebel, signifying the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
• "at the hand of Jezebel": (Hebrew: מִיַּד אִיזָבֶל, miyyad Iyzavel).
  • "at the hand of" (מִיַּד, miyyad): Implies direct agency, power, and culpability. Jezebel is explicitly named as the primary instigator and executor of the bloodshed. While Ahab was king, Jezebel's fanatic devotion to Baal drove much of the persecution (e.g., her active role in the Naboth incident, 1 Kgs 21:25).

2 Kings 9 7 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs: This divine command stands in stark contrast to the surrounding pagan beliefs of the ancient Near East, where local deities were often seen as supporters of the ruling dynasty regardless of their morality. Here, Yahweh demonstrates His absolute authority by commanding the overthrow and destruction of a powerful reigning dynasty due to their idolatry and cruelty, asserting His moral governance over kings and kingdoms. The focus on Jezebel also directly counters the widespread influence of Baal worship, a key part of her heritage and religious fervor.
• The Concept of "Avenging Blood": The Old Testament concept of avenging innocent blood highlights its extreme defilement to the land and its crying out to God for justice. It often necessitates a corresponding retribution or purification. In this instance, God takes the role of the kinsman-redeemer who demands accountability for the spilled blood of His family (His servants).
• A Fulfillment of Elijah's Ministry: While Elisha sends his servant to Jehu, the commission for Jehu's anointing as avenger was originally given to Elijah by God on Mount Horeb (1 Kgs 19:16-17), indicating a long-term divine plan coming to fruition.
• Divine Patience and Timing: The judgment on Ahab's house, though severe, did not come immediately. It was prophesied long before, allowing time for repentance which Ahab briefly showed (1 Kgs 21:27-29). However, the persistent wickedness of Jezebel and the continued sin of the dynasty led to the full and terrible fulfillment of God's word.

2 Kings 9 7 Commentary

This verse encapsulates a defining moment of divine retribution within Israel's history. God, through the commissioning of Jehu, definitively executes judgment upon the deeply corrupt house of Ahab, which had systematically persecuted the faithful worshipers and prophets of Yahweh. This act of judgment serves not merely as a consequence for past actions but as a powerful demonstration of God's unyielding righteousness, His sovereignty over wicked rulers, and His unfailing commitment to avenge the blood of His persecuted servants. Jezebel is specifically singled out as the chief orchestrator of the bloodshed, emphasizing her central role in the spiritual degradation and violence in Israel. The destruction of Ahab's dynasty represents God's decisive intervention to purge widespread apostasy and idolatry from His people, affirming that ultimate justice resides with Him and will always prevail over unrighteousness.