Bible Strands
2 Kings 9:10
And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The young prophet delivers a judgment oracle to Jehu after anointing him king, then immediately exits the room and flees. The oracle pronounces divine retribution against Jezebel while Jehu is still inside the house.
The words — The Hebrew יֹאכְל֧וּ (yo.khe.lu) means "they will devour," paired with הַ/כְּלָבִ֛ים (ha./ke.la.vim) for "the dogs," emphasizing a violent, unburied end. The phrase וְ/אֵ֣ין (ve./'ein) קֹבֵ֑ר (ko.ver) literally states "there will not be a burying," confirming total exposure.
The thread — This judgment echoes the earlier prophecy in 1 Kings 21:23 and finds its physical fulfillment in 2 Kings 9:35, where only Jezebel’s skull and extremities remain. The oracle links Jehu’s commission in 2 Kings 9:3 directly to the downfall of Ahab’s dynasty.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine judgment operates independently of human burial rites or political cover-ups. It requires the reader to accept that prophetic words execute themselves without hesitation or revision.
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 the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 21:23 And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’
- 2 Kings 9:35 But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing but her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands.
- 2 Kings 9:3 Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”
- Jeremiah 22:19 He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.
- Judges 3:26 Ehud, however, had escaped while the servants waited. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah.