King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 10:6 Mean?

2 Kings 10:6 in the King James Version says “Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. mine: Heb. for me

2 Kings 10:6 · KJV


Context

4

But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?

5

And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.

6

Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. mine: Heb. for me

7

And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.

8

And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 10: Zeal for God without heart transformation. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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 · 31 words
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב1 of 31

Then he wrote

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

אֲלֵיהֶם֩2 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

סֵ֨פֶר׀3 of 31

a letter

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

שֵׁנִ֜ית4 of 31

the second time

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

לֵאמֹ֗ר5 of 31

to them saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם6 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לִ֨י7 of 31
H0
אַתֶּ֜ם8 of 31
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּלְקֹלִ֣י׀9 of 31

unto my voice

H6963

a voice or sound

אַתֶּ֣ם10 of 31
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שֹֽׁמְעִ֗ים11 of 31

If ye be mine and if ye will hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

קְחוּ֙12 of 31

take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת13 of 31
H853

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

רָאשֵׁי֙14 of 31

ye the heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אִ֔ישׁ15 of 31

persons

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)

וּבְנֵ֤י16 of 31

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶ֔ם17 of 31

your master's

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וּבֹ֧אוּ18 of 31

and come

H935

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

אֵלַ֛י19 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּעֵ֥ת20 of 31

this time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מָחָ֖ר21 of 31

by to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה22 of 31

to me to Jezreel

H3157

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

וּבְנֵ֤י23 of 31

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙24 of 31

Now the king's

H4428

a king

שִׁבְעִ֣ים25 of 31

being seventy

H7657

seventy

אִ֔ישׁ26 of 31

persons

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)

אֶת27 of 31
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

גְּדֹלֵ֥י28 of 31

were with the great men

H1419

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

הָעִ֖יר29 of 31

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מְגַדְּלִ֥ים30 of 31

which brought them up

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

אוֹתָֽם׃31 of 31
H853

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


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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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