King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 9:30 Mean?

2 Kings 9:30 in the King James Version says “And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at ...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. painted: Heb. put her eyes in painting”

2 Kings 9:30 · KJV

Context

28

And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David.

29

And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.

30

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. painted: Heb. put her eyes in painting

31

And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

32

And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. eunuchs: or, chamberlains

Read 2 Kings 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

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
וַיָּב֥וֹא1 of 14

“was come”

H935

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

יֵה֖וּא2 of 14

“And when Jehu”

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה3 of 14

“to Jezreel”

H3157

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

וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל4 of 14

“Jezebel”

H348

izebel, the wife of king ahab

שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה5 of 14

“heard”

H8085

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

וַתָּ֨שֶׂם6 of 14

“of it and she painted”

H7760

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

בַּפּ֤וּךְ7 of 14
H6320

dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes)

עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙8 of 14

“her face”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַתֵּ֣יטֶב9 of 14

“and tired”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֶת10 of 14
H853

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

רֹאשָׁ֔הּ11 of 14

“her head”

H7218

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

וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף12 of 14

“and looked out”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

בְּעַ֥ד13 of 14
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הַֽחַלּֽוֹן׃14 of 14

“at a window”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

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 9:30 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 9:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:30Ezekiel 23:40Ezekiel 24:171 Kings 19:1-21 Timothy 2:9-10Isaiah 3:18-24

Places in This Verse

Jezreel 2Settlement · Modern: Tel Yizre’el · 32.56°N, 35.33°E29 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Kings 9 →

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Kings 9 with CommentaryAll 2 Kings ChaptersComplete 2 Kings QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes