King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 10:24 Mean?

2 Kings 10:24 in the King James Version says “And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

2 Kings 10:24 · KJV


Context

22

And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.

23

And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.

24

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

25

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. the edge: Heb. the mouth

26

And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. images: Heb. statues


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

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 · 24 words
מֵבִ֣יא1 of 24

And when they went in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת2 of 24

to offer

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

זְבָחִ֣ים3 of 24

sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וְעֹל֑וֹת4 of 24

and burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְיֵה֞וּא5 of 24

Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

שָֽׂם6 of 24

appointed

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

ל֤וֹ7 of 24
H0
בַחוּץ֙8 of 24

without

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

שְׁמֹנִ֣ים9 of 24

fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים10 of 24

If any

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר11 of 24

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים12 of 24

If any

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִמָּלֵט֙14 of 24

escape

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

מִן15 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים16 of 24

If any

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר17 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲנִי֙18 of 24
H589

i

מֵבִ֣יא19 of 24

And when they went in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַל20 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְדֵיכֶ֔ם21 of 24

into your hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃22 of 24

he that letteth him go his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

תַּ֥חַת23 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃24 of 24

he that letteth him go his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 10:24 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 10:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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