Bible Strands
2 Kings 9:30
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jezebel acts upon hearing of Jehu’s arrival in Jezreel, applying cosmetics and arranging her hair before leaning from a window to observe him.
The words — בַּפּ֤וּךְ (baPukh) literally denotes “with eye-paint” or cosmetic substance applied to the eyes.
The thread — The motif of dressing or adorning oneself appears in Jeremiah 4:30, Ezekiel 23:40, and Ezekiel 24:17.
Why it lands — The text records a calculated display of royal dignity and preparation for confrontation, demanding the reader note the contrast between Jezebel’s appearance and the impending judgment described in the surrounding narrative.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 4:30 And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life.
- Ezekiel 23:40 Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry.
- Ezekiel 24:17 Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”
- 1 Kings 19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
- Isaiah 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;
- 1 Timothy 2:9 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
- 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,