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What the Bible Says About Jezebel

Overview

The Bible addresses jezebel across 23 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Naboth, Government, Murder and Money. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jezebel, Naboth, Ahab and Elijah.

Key Bible verses about jezebel

Old Testament

1 Kings

1 Kings 19:1

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

1 Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

1 Kings 19:3

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

1 Kings 21:5

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?

1 Kings 21:6

And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

1 Kings 21:7

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

1 Kings 21:8

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

1 Kings 21:9

And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: on high: Heb. in the top of the people

1 Kings 21:10

And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

1 Kings 21:11

And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

1 Kings 21:12

They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.

1 Kings 21:13

And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

1 Kings 21:14

Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

1 Kings 21:15

And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.

1 Kings 21:16

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

2 Kings

2 Kings 9:30

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. painted: Heb. put her eyes in painting

2 Kings 9:31

And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

2 Kings 9:32

And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. eunuchs: or, chamberlains

2 Kings 9:33

And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

2 Kings 9:34

And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.

2 Kings 9:35

And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.

2 Kings 9:36

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: by: Heb. by the hand of

2 Kings 9:37

And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.

People in the Bible and jezebel

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying jezebel for yourself

  • Begin with 1 Kings 19:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 1 Kings and 2 Kings each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jezebel, Naboth and Ahab and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Naboth, Government, Murder and Money.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about jezebel?

The Bible addresses jezebel across 23 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Naboth, Government, Murder and Money. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jezebel, Naboth, Ahab and Elijah.

How many Bible verses are about jezebel?

The Bible references jezebel in 23 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention jezebel?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 19:1: “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with jezebel?

Jezebel, Naboth, Ahab, Elijah and Jehu.

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