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 9:22KJV
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2 Kings 9:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 9:22 mean?

2 Kings 9:22 describes a tense meeting between King Joram and Jehu, where Joram asks if Jehu comes in peace. Jehu responds that there can be no peace as long as the actions of Joram’s mother Jezebel—specifically her “whoredoms” and “witchcrafts”—continue in Israel.

In this scene, Joram, king of Israel, sees Jehu approaching and hopes for a peaceful encounter. Jehu’s answer points to the deep problems in the kingdom, blaming Jezebel’s influence for the unrest. The verse highlights the seriousness of Jezebel’s reputation for leading Israel into behaviors and practices that Jehu sees as destructive and unacceptable.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 9:22

  • “Peace” (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word means more than just the absence of conflict; it often refers to wholeness, well-being, or right relationship. Jehu’s use of it here suggests that true well-being is impossible under the current conditions.
  • “Whoredoms” (זְנוּנִים, zenunim): This word refers to unfaithfulness, often used for both literal sexual immorality and for spiritual unfaithfulness, like worshiping other gods. Jehu is accusing Jezebel of leading Israel into both kinds of unfaithfulness.
  • “Witchcrafts” (כְּשָׁפִים, keshafim): This word refers to sorcery or occult practices. Jehu’s accusation is that Jezebel’s influence includes practices that were forbidden and seen as dangerous in Israel.
  • “Many” (רַבִּים, rabbim): This word emphasizes the extent of Jezebel’s actions, suggesting that her wrongdoing is not minor or isolated but widespread.

Why 2 Kings 9:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jehu’s revolt is not just a power grab but is presented as a response to deep moral and spiritual problems in Israel, especially those associated with Jezebel.
  • The mention of Jezebel’s “whoredoms” and “witchcrafts” shows how her legacy was viewed as corrupting both the nation’s faithfulness to God and its social order.
  • The exchange sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, making clear that the conflict is about more than politics—it is about the direction and character of the nation.

Where else these words appear

“witchcrafts” Hebrew H3785 · used in 5 verses

  • Isaiah 47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
  • Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
  • Micah 5:12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:

“whoredoms” Hebrew H2183 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 38:24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
  • Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
  • Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

“Jezebel” Hebrew H348 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
  • 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 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

“Joram” Hebrew H3088 · used in 26 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 9:17 And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
  • 2 Chronicles 21:4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.