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 10:22KJV
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2 Kings 10:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 10:22 mean?

2 Kings 10:22 describes how Jehu ordered the person in charge of the vestry to bring out special garments for all the worshippers of Baal, and the garments were given out as instructed. This act was part of Jehu’s plan to gather Baal’s followers together under the appearance of honoring their god.

Jehu is speaking to the official responsible for the storage of religious clothing, telling him to distribute ceremonial vestments to everyone who worshipped Baal. This took place during a larger event where Jehu pretended to organize a great sacrifice to Baal, but was actually setting a trap to destroy Baal’s worshippers in Israel. The verse shows Jehu’s careful planning and the way he used religious customs to identify and gather Baal’s followers.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 10:22

  • "vestry" (מֶלְתָּחָה, melltachah): This word refers to a place where special garments or supplies are kept, likely a storeroom in the temple of Baal. The use of this word highlights the organized nature of Baal worship and the importance of ritual clothing.
  • "vestments" (לְבוּשׁ, levush and תַּחֲרוֹת, tacharot): Both words are used for garments, but לְבוּשׁ (levush) is a general term for clothing, while תַּחֲרוֹת (tacharot) can refer to special or ceremonial attire. The repetition and variety of terms stress the ritual aspect and help explain how the worshippers were visually set apart.
  • "worshippers" (עֹבְדֵי, ovdei): This word means "those who serve" or "worshippers," making it clear that the garments were only for people actively participating in Baal worship, not for bystanders.

Why 2 Kings 10:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jehu’s plan involved more than just violence; he used the established rituals of Baal worship to identify and separate Baal’s followers from the rest of the population.
  • The mention of special garments shows how religious identity was marked outwardly, making it easier for Jehu to carry out his plan without confusion.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the events that follow, where Jehu’s strategy leads to the complete destruction of Baal worship in Israel.

Where else these words appear

“vestments” Hebrew H4403 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • Job 27:16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
  • Ezekiel 16:13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

“vestments” Hebrew H3830 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
  • Job 24:10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;
  • Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

“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.