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

2 KINGS 9:31KJV
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2 Kings 9:31 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 9:31 mean?

2 Kings 9:31 shows Jezebel speaking to Jehu as he enters the city gate, sarcastically asking if Zimri, who killed his master, found peace. Jezebel is taunting Jehu by comparing him to Zimri, a previous usurper who killed a king but did not last long himself.

Jezebel is addressing Jehu, who has just arrived in Jezreel after killing King Joram. She references Zimri, a man who killed his own king and became king for only seven days before being killed himself. By invoking Zimri, Jezebel is mocking Jehu’s actions and hinting that his violent rise to power will end badly, just as Zimri’s did.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 9:31

  • שָׁלוֹם (shalom, H7965): This word is often translated as "peace," but it can also mean well-being or success. Jezebel’s question, “Had Zimri peace?” is a pointed way of asking if things ended well for Zimri, implying that Jehu’s rebellion will not bring him lasting success.
  • הָרַג (harag, H2026): This word means "slew" or "killed." Jezebel specifically calls out Jehu for killing his master, drawing a direct parallel to Zimri’s betrayal and murder of his own king.
  • אֲדֹנָיו (adonaiw, H113): This means "his master." Jezebel’s use of this word underlines the seriousness of Jehu’s act—he has killed the one he served, just as Zimri did.

Why 2 Kings 9:31 matters

  • Jezebel’s words are not just an insult but a warning, referencing a well-known story to suggest Jehu’s fate will mirror Zimri’s brief and doomed reign.
  • The verse highlights Jezebel’s boldness and defiance even in the face of death, showing her character as unrepentant and sharp-tongued to the end.
  • This moment connects Jehu’s actions to a pattern of violent power struggles in Israel’s history, helping the reader see the cycle of betrayal and downfall among Israel’s rulers.

Where else these words appear

“Zimri” Hebrew H2174 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 25:14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
  • 1 Kings 16:15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:6 And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

“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.