Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.

2 KINGS 10:19KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 10:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 10:19 mean?

2 Kings 10:19 describes how Jehu called together all the prophets, servants, and priests of Baal, insisting that none be missing, because he claimed to have a great sacrifice planned for Baal. However, Jehu was acting with cunning, intending to destroy all the worshippers of Baal by gathering them in one place.

In this verse, Jehu is speaking to those loyal to Baal, pretending to be a supporter of Baal worship. The situation is a trap: Jehu’s real goal is to wipe out Baal worship from Israel. The verse highlights Jehu’s strategy and deception as he sets up the destruction of Baal’s followers.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 10:19

  • "Subtilty" is from עָקְבָה (`oqbah), which means craftiness or trickery. This word shows that Jehu’s actions were not honest; he was deliberately deceiving the Baal worshippers.
  • "Destroy" is from אָבַד (`avad), meaning to cause to perish or wipe out. Jehu’s intent was not just to stop Baal worship, but to completely eliminate its followers.
  • "Servants" and "worshippers" both come from עָבַד (`avad), which means to serve or worship. The same root word is used for both, showing that serving Baal and worshipping Baal were closely linked in this context.

Why 2 Kings 10:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jehu’s apparent support for Baal was a ruse; he was not honoring Baal but setting a trap.
  • The verse shows the lengths Jehu was willing to go, using deception as a tool to achieve his goal of religious reform in Israel.
  • Understanding the use of the same Hebrew word for "servants" and "worshippers" helps explain how service and worship were seen as the same kind of loyalty to Baal, making Jehu’s plan even more sweeping in its intent.

Where else these words appear

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
  • 2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

“Baal” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.