What does 2 Kings 9:30 mean?
"¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." - 2 Kings 9:30
The verse 2 Kings 9:30 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." This verse is part of the account of the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jehu would become king of Israel and that he would bring judgment upon the house of Ahab, particularly his wife Jezebel.
The context of this verse is set in the midst of political and spiritual turmoil in the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab had been a wicked king who, influenced by his wife Jezebel, promoted the worship of Baal and persecuted the prophets of the Lord. This led to judgment being pronounced on Ahab and his descendants. In the preceding verses, Jehu is anointed king of Israel by a prophet and is charged with the task of executing judgment upon the house of Ahab.
When Jehu arrives in Jezreel, Jezebel, who is aware of the prophecy concerning Jehu's rise to power, takes steps to prepare herself for the confrontation. She "painted her face and tired her head" in an attempt to make herself appear more attractive and appealing. This action may have been an attempt to use her beauty and charm to manipulate or seduce Jehu, or to present herself as a powerful and regal figure in the face of impending judgment.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and multifaceted. Jezebel's act of painting her face and adorning herself reflects her pride, vanity, and determination to maintain control and authority. The act of painting one's face and "tiring" one's head was a common practice among the women of the time, but in this context, it can be seen as an attempt to mask her true intentions and to project an image of strength and composure in the face of impending danger.
Additionally, Jezebel's actions can be symbolic of the superficiality, deception, and corruption that characterized her rule and her influence on the spiritual life of the nation. Her outward adornment can be seen as a reflection of her inner character, which was marked by a disregard for the ways of the Lord and a commitment to idolatry and oppression. Her attempts to beautify herself stand in stark contrast to the inner corruption and spiritual decay that had taken root under her leadership.
Furthermore, Jezebel's actions can be seen as a manifestation of the biblical theme of the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who, like Jezebel, sought to defy God's will and to pursue their own selfish ambitions. Invariably, these individuals faced judgment and retribution for their actions, as was the case with Jezebel and the house of Ahab.
In conclusion, the verse 2 Kings 9:30 from the King James Version of the Bible offers a powerful and evocative depiction of the character and actions of Jezebel as she prepares to confront Jehu. The symbolism present in the verse highlights the themes of pride, vanity, deception, and the consequences of disobedience, and serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to the ways of the Lord and the perils of succumbing to the temptations of worldly power and influence.
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2 Kings 9:30 Artwork
2 Kings 9:30 - "¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window."
"¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." - 2 Kings 9:30
2 kings 9:34-36
2 Chronicles 9:30 - "And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years."
2 Kings 17:30 - "And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,"
2 Kings 25:30 - "And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life."
2 Kings 19:30 - "And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward."
2 Kings 4:30 - "And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her."
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
2 Kings 18:30 - "Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria."
2 Kings 9:9 - "And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:"
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
2 Kings 9:29 - "And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah."
2 Kings 15:30 - "And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah."
1 Kings 9:2 - "That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon."
2 Kings 5:9 - "So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha."
"And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years." - 2 Chronicles 9:30
2 Kings 9:31 - "And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?"
2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
2 Kings 24:9 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done."
2 Kings 6:30 - "¶ And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh."
luke 9:30
2 Kings 13:9 - "And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead."
2 Chronicles 9:26 - "¶ And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."
2 Kings 9:37 - "And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel."
2 Kings 6:9 - "And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down."
2 Kings 9:16 - "So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram."
2 Kings 25:9 - "And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire."
2 Chronicles 9:14 - "Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon."