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 9:22KJVWhat 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.