King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 9:24 Mean?

2 Kings 9:24 in the King James Version says “And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. drew: Heb. filled his hand with a bow sunk: Heb. bowed”

2 Kings 9:24 · KJV

Strength

Context

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.

24

And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. drew: Heb. filled his hand with a bow sunk: Heb. bowed

25

Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;

26

Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD. blood: Heb. bloods plat: or, portion

Read 2 Kings 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. 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 · 14 words
וְיֵה֞וּא1 of 14

“And Jehu”

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

מִלֵּ֧א2 of 14

“with his full”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יָד֣וֹ3 of 14

“strength”

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

בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת4 of 14

“drew a bow”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

וַיַּ֤ךְ5 of 14

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 14
H853

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

יְהוֹרָם֙7 of 14

“Jehoram”

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

בֵּ֣ין8 of 14
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

זְרֹעָ֔יו9 of 14

“between his arms”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

וַיֵּצֵ֥א10 of 14

“went out”

H3318

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

הַחֵ֖צִי11 of 14

“and the arrow”

H2678

an arrow

מִלִּבּ֑וֹ12 of 14

“at his heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וַיִּכְרַ֖ע13 of 14

“and he sunk down”

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“in his chariot”

H7393

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

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 9:24 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 9:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:34Proverbs 21:30Ecclesiastes 8:12-131 Thessalonians 5:3Psalms 50:22Job 20:23-25

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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