King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 10:11 Mean?

2 Kings 10:11 in the King James Version says “So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priest... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining. kinsfolks: or, acquaintance

2 Kings 10:11 · KJV


Context

9

And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

10

Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. by: Heb. by the hand of

11

So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining. kinsfolks: or, acquaintance

12

And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way, shearing: Heb. house of shepherds binding sheep

13

Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen. met with: Heb. found to salute: Heb. to the peace of, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 10: Zeal for God without heart transformation. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 10 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Purge Continues) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 10 regarding zeal for god without heart transformation?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּ֣ךְ1 of 17

slew

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

יֵה֗וּא2 of 17

So Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

אֵ֣ת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל4 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הִשְׁאִֽיר5 of 17

all that remained

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

לְבֵית6 of 17

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אַחְאָב֙7 of 17

of Ahab

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

בְּיִזְרְעֶ֔אל8 of 17

in Jezreel

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

וְכָל9 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גְּדֹלָ֖יו10 of 17

and all his great men

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּמְיֻדָּעָ֣יו11 of 17

and his kinsfolks

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְכֹֽהֲנָ֑יו12 of 17

and his priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

עַד13 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בִּלְתִּ֥י14 of 17
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הִשְׁאִֽיר15 of 17

all that remained

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

ל֖וֹ16 of 17
H0
שָׂרִֽיד׃17 of 17

him none remaining

H8300

a survivor


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 10:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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