King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 9:21 Mean?

2 Kings 9:21 in the King James Version says “And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out,... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. Make ready: Heb. Bind met: Heb. found

2 Kings 9:21 · KJV


Context

19

Then he sent out a second on horseback , which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.

20

And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. driving: or, marching furiously: Heb. in madness

21

And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. Make ready: Heb. Bind met: Heb. found

22

And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

23

And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. 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 9 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Violent Revolution) 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 9 regarding divine judgment executed on ahab's house?
  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 · 21 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹרָ֣ם2 of 21

And Joram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

וַיֶּאְסֹ֖ר3 of 21

Make ready

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

וַיֶּאְסֹ֖ר4 of 21

Make ready

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בְּרִכְבּ֗וֹ5 of 21

And his chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙6 of 21

and they went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהוֹרָ֣ם7 of 21

And Joram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ8 of 21

king

H4428

a king

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל9 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַֽאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ10 of 21

and Ahaziah

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

מֶֽלֶךְ11 of 21

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֜ה12 of 21

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אִ֣ישׁ13 of 21

each

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)

בְּרִכְבּ֗וֹ14 of 21

And his chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙15 of 21

and they went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִקְרַ֣את16 of 21

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

יֵה֔וּא17 of 21

Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

וַיִּמְצָאֻ֔הוּ18 of 21

and met

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּחֶלְקַ֖ת19 of 21

him in the portion

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

נָב֥וֹת20 of 21

of Naboth

H5022

naboth, an israelite

הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִֽי׃21 of 21

the Jezreelite

H3158

a jizreelite or native of jizreel


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 9:21 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 9:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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