Bible Strands
2 Kings 10:21
Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehu issues a summons to all Israel, prompting the complete assembly of Baal’s worshipers into the temple. The command follows his earlier decree for a solemn assembly and precedes the distribution of ritual garments.
The words — The Hebrew וַיִּשְׁלַח (va-yishlach) denotes a deliberate sending forth of a message, while עֹבְדֵי הַבַּעַל (ovdei ha-Ba‘al) literally identifies the group as those who serve Baal. These terms anchor the narrative in a coordinated mobilization rather than a spontaneous gathering.
The thread — This mass gathering echoes the crowded sanctuary in Judges 16:27 and points toward the later dismantling of Baal’s shrines in 2 Kings 11:18. The narrative also recalls Ahab’s construction of a Baal temple in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32), establishing a continuous thread of state-sponsored idolatry.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of how religious systems consolidate through centralized gatherings and administrative control. It asks the reader to observe the mechanics of institutional worship without romanticizing its historical outcome.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 16:32 First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria.
- Judges 16:27 Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them.
- 2 Kings 11:18 So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD.
- Joel 3:2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.
- Joel 3:11 Come quickly, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves. Bring down Your mighty ones, O LORD.
- Revelation 16:16 And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.