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2 Kings 9:30 — Word Study

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WLCוַיָּב֥וֹא יֵה֖וּא יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל שָׁמְעָ֗ה וַתָּ֨שֶׂם בַּפּ֤וּךְ עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ וַתֵּ֣יטֶב אֶת־ רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף בְּעַ֥ד הַחַלּֽוֹן׃

BSANow when JehuYêhûwʼ [the king who overthrew the dynasty of Omri] arrivedbôwʼ in JezreelYizrᵉʻêʼl [God sows, a city in Issachar] JezebelʼÎyzebel [the wife of King Ahab, a queen of Israel] heard [of it]shâmaʻ [listened and gave attention] So she paintedsûwm [applied stibium, a type of eye makeup] her eyesʻayin [the source of sight and perception] adornedyâṭab [made beautiful and pleasing] her headrôʼsh [the topmost part of the body] and looked downshâqaph [gazed or peeped out] frombᵉʻad a windowchallôwn [a hole in the wall, an opening for observation]

Word
Listen & take away2 Kings 9
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 30 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ha.cha.Lon) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Kings 9:30quick helps
In a sentenceJehu arrives in Jezreel, and Jezebel, upon hearing of it, prepares herself and looks down from a window.
Who is speakingThe narrative is about Jehu and Jezebel, with Jezebel taking action in response to Jehu's arrival.
Where we areThis verse is set in Jezreel, where significant events unfold in the context of Israel's monarchy.
The hard wordיֵהוּא
Take awayJezebel's actions reflect her defiance and self-presentation in the face of Jehu's arrival.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectיֵהוּא verbבּוֹא The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 2 Kings 9:30

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Arrival of Jehu in Jezreelgenerated

29(In the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah.)
30Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.
31And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?”
32He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him.

2 Kings 9:30 describes the moment when Jehu, the newly anointed king, arrives in Jezreel. Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, hears of his arrival and responds by adorning herself. This scene is pivotal as it sets the stage for the confrontation between Jehu and Jezebel, highlighting the tension in the narrative of the Israelite monarchy. The context reveals the themes of power, rebellion, and the impending judgment against the house of Ahab.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Kings 19:1–2Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
2Jeremiah 4:30And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life.
3Ezekiel 23:40Furthermore, you sisters sent messengers for men who came from afar; and behold, when they arrived, you bathed for them, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry.
4Isaiah 3:18–24In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;
5Ezekiel 24:17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

painted her faceJeremiah 4:30 Ezekiel 23:40

The Key Word יֵהוּא, ye.Hu'generated

The name יֵהוּא (yehu) means 'Jehovah is He' and refers primarily to Jehu, a king of Israel known for overthrowing the Omri dynasty. This name signifies a pivotal character in Israel's history, embodying the divine judgment against idolatry and corruption.

Jehu's actions are central to the narrative, as he fulfills God's command to eradicate the house of Ahab. His arrival in Jezreel marks a turning point, leading to significant events that unfold in the following verses.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיָּב֥וֹא (and he went) governs the sentence, introducing the main action of Jehu's arrival. The structure follows with clauses that detail Jezebel's reaction and actions, emphasizing her response to Jehu's presence.

The sentence is complex, with multiple actions described in sequence: Jezebel hears, prepares herself, and looks down. This structure highlights the immediacy of her response and the unfolding drama.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיָּב֥וֹא as ἦλθεν, indicating a straightforward rendering of the arrival. This choice maintains the focus on the action of coming, consistent with the Hebrew.

The translation of שָׁמְעָ֗ה as ἤκουσεν conveys the act of hearing but can imply a deeper level of attention, aligning with the narrative's emphasis on Jezebel's awareness of Jehu's arrival.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Kings 9:30 tells us that when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it. She then prepared herself by applying eye makeup, adorning her head, and looking down from a window. This scene illustrates her defiance and attempts to present herself despite the circumstances.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Jezebel's action of painting her eyes signify?

Jezebel's action reflects her desire to maintain her power and influence, showcasing her defiance in the face of Jehu's arrival.

Why is Jehu's arrival significant?

Jehu's arrival marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as he is the instrument of God's judgment against the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal.

How does this verse connect to the larger narrative?

This verse connects to the larger narrative of the downfall of Ahab's dynasty and the fulfillment of prophetic judgment against Israel's idolatry.

What can we learn from Jezebel's response?

Jezebel's response illustrates the lengths to which individuals may go to maintain their status and power, even in the face of impending judgment.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What do Jezebel's actions reveal about her character and motivations?
  2. How does Jehu's arrival fulfill the prophecy against Ahab's house?
  3. In what ways do we see themes of power and rebellion in this narrative?
  4. How can we apply the lessons from Jezebel's defiance in our own lives?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Ephrem the Syrian comments on this verse, noting Jezebel's unexpected reaction to Jehu's arrival.

Ephrem the SyrianON THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 9:30 c. 306–373
They thought that she would have wept over her dead son, but in the very hour in which she heard that the king had come, she painted her eyes, a raving old woman,
Early Church Fathers on 2 Kings 9 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Kings 9:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it,.... And of what he had done to Joram: and she painted her face; or put "stibium" on her eyes; a sort of paint, to make them look beautiful

Read John Gill on 2 Kings 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's 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.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Kings 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Either hoping that by her majestic dress and carriage she might strike Jehu or his followers with such an awe, that they should not offer any injury to her person; or rather, because perceiving her case to be desperate, and that she could not live, was resolved to die with honour and gallantry.

Read Matthew Poole on 2 Kings 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Kings 9:30 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.Ver. 30. And she painted her face.] Heb., She put her eyes in painting, τιγ, φυκος, fucus. This she did ad conciliandum regiam maiestatem, to show herself to Jehu in majesty and royal brightness; for she was extremely proud and arrogant to her very last, and now she would show what a brave spirit she had in this her desperate condition: and that if she must die, she would die in her gaiety. Peter Martyr here compareth the Pope of Rome to Jezebel in sundry particulars. And besides Pope Joan, an arrant whore, Pope Sylvester and others of them, great…

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Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(30) And when Jehu was come.—Rather, And Jehu came—i.e., after the slaughter of Ahaziah, as the Hebrew construction implies. Jezebel heard of it.—Rather, Now Jezebel had heard—scil., the news of the death of the two kings. There should be a stop after Jezreel. And she painted her face.—Rather, and she set her eyes in paint—i.e., according to the still common practice of Oriental ladies, she painted her eyebrows and lashes with a pigment composed of antimony and zinc (the Arabic kohl). The dark border throws the eye into relief, and makes it appear larger (Bähr). Pliny relates that in his day this pigment (stibium) was called platyophthalmon (comp. Jeremiah 4:30), because it dilates the eye…

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AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 30. She painted her face, and tired her head] She endeavoured to improve the appearance of her complexion by paint, and the general effect of her countenance by a tiara or turban head-dress. Jonathan, the Chaldee Targumist, so often quoted, translates this וכחלת בצדידא עינהא vechachalath bitsdida eynaha: "She stained her eyes with stibium or antimony." This is a custom in Astatic countries to the present day. From a late traveller in Persia, I borrow the following account: - "The Persians differ as much from us in their notions of beauty as they do in those of taste. A large soft, and languishing black eye, with them constitutes the perfection of beauty. It is chiefly on this account…

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CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

30–37. The fate of Jezebel (Not in Chronicles) 30. when Jehu was come to Jezreel] Very little time could have elapsed between the slaying of Joram and the advance from Naboth’s vineyard to the palace. But the news of what Jehu had done had already been brought to Jezebel, for she knows that he has murdered the king her son. As queen-mother she lived in the royal city, and probably in the royal palace. On the position of the queen-mother and her influence in Eastern courts see on 1 Kings 2:19. Her action Bp Hall thinks was with the hope ‘to daunt the courage of a usurper with the sudden beams of majesty’. and she painted her face] R.V. eyes. The A.V. gives a wrong idea, though placing the…

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Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Painted her face - literally, “put her eyes in antimony “ - i. e., dyed the upper and under eyelids, a common practice in the East, even at the present day.

Read Albert Barnes on 2 Kings 9 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Jehu approached Jezreel. When Jezebel heard the news, she put on some eye liner, fixed up her hair, and leaned out the window.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ 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.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and attired her head, and looked out at the window.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and tired her head, and looked out at the window.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it ; and she painted her face, and adorned her head, and looked out at a window.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And when Iehu was come to Izreel, Iezebel heard of it, and painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a windowe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Jehu came to Jizreel; and Jezebel heard of it, and she put paint to her eyes, and decked her head, and looked out at the window.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Jehu cometh in to Jezreel, and Jezebel hath heard, and putteth her eyes in paint and maketh right her head, and looketh out through the window.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Jehu comes to Jezreel, and Jezebel has heard, and puts her eyes in paint and beautifies her head, and looks out through the window.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Jehu came to Yizre'el; and when Izebel heard of it, she painted her eyes, and ornamented her head, and looked out at the window.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out the window.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Jehu came into Jezrahel. But Jezabel hearing of his coming in, painted her face with stibic stone, and adorned her head, and looked out of a window

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

When Jezebel heard that Jehu had arrived in Jezreel, she put on her black eye shadow, placed jewelry in her hair, and watched from a window.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel had news of it; and, painting her eyes and dressing her hair with ornaments, she put her head out of the window.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיָּב֥וֹאhe.wentsubjectיֵה֖וּאJehunoun phrase · prepositionalיִזְרְעֶ֑אלָtoהJezreelוְandclausesubjectאִיזֶ֣בֶלJezebelverbשָׁמְעָ֗הshe.heardוַandclauseverbתָּ֨שֶׂםshe.paintedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּwithnoun phrase(the)פּ֤וּךְeye-paintnoun phrase · objectעֵינֶ֨יeyesהָ֙herוַandclauseverbתֵּ֣יטֶבshe.made.goodnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseרֹאשָׁ֔headהּherוַandclauseverbתַּשְׁקֵ֖ףshe.looked.downprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּעַ֥דthroughnoun phraseהַtheחַלּֽוֹןwindow

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 12 out of 14 words matching. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the events described, though the Septuagint's word order reflects its own stylistic choices.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיָּב֥וֹא יֵה֖וּא יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל שָׁמְעָ֗ה וַתָּ֨שֶׂם בַּפּ֤וּךְ עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ וַתֵּ֣יטֶב אֶת־ רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף בְּעַ֥ד הַחַלּֽוֹן׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיָּב֥וֹאἦλθενיֵה֖וּאιουיִזְרְעֶ֑אלָהιεζραελוְאִיזֶ֣בֶלιεζαβελשָׁמְעָ֗הἤκουσενוַתָּ֨שֶׂםκαὶעֵינֶ֙יהָ֙τοὺςוַתֵּ֣יטֶבἠγάθυνενרֹאשָׁ֔הּτὴνוַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ףδιέκυψενבְּעַ֥דδιὰהַחַלּֽוֹן׃θυρίδος

12 of the 14 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

2 Kings 9:30בּוֹאand he wentand he wentבּוֹאיֵהוּאJehuJehuיֵהוּאיִזְרְעֶאלJezreel towJezreel towardsיִזְרְעֶאלאִיזֶבֶלand Jezebeland Jezebelאִיזֶבֶלשָׁמַעshe heardshe heardשָׁמַעשׂוּםand she setand she setשׂוּםפּוּךְwith eye-pawith eye-paintפּוּךְעַ֫יִןeyes hereyes herעַ֫יִןיָטַבand she madand she made goיָטַבאֵתthe object the object markאֵתרֹאשׁhead herhead herרֹאשׁשָׁקַףand she looand she looked שָׁקַףבַּ֫עַדthroughthroughבַּ֫עַדחַלּוֹןthe windowthe windowחַלּוֹןיהוהThe LordThe Lordיהוהזָרַעto sowto sowזָרַעאִיnotnotאִיאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתעַדtilltillעַדחַלּוֹןwindowwindowחַלּוֹןשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁנִמְשִׁיNimshiNimshiנִמְשִׁיחֲנָנִיHananiHananiחֲנָנִייְהוֹרָםJoramJoramיְהוֹרָםיְהוֹרָםJoramJoramיְהוֹרָםנָבוֹתNabothNabothנָבוֹתכֶּ֫לֶבdogdogכֶּ֫לֶבקוֹלvoice: souvoice: soundקוֹלקָשַׁבto listento listenקָשַׁבשַׁמָּהhorror: dehorror: destroyשַׁמָּהשְׁמָמָהDesolateDesolateשְׁמָמָהאֶ֫בֶןstone: weistone: weightאֶ֫בֶן
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 2 Kings 9:30

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
וַיָּב֥וֹאvai.ya.Vo' and he went H935 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
יֵה֖וּאye.Hu' Jehu H3058 Noun proper masculine
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jehu was the name of several Israelites, including a king who overthrew the dynasty of Omri and a prophet who lived during the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat. His name means Jehovah is He.
Amplified meaning
the king who overthrew the dynasty of Omri
Tyndale gloss
Jehu
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יֵהוּא (yehu) means 'Jehovah is He' and refers primarily to Jehu, a king of Israel known for overthrowing the Omri dynasty. The name also identifies several other individuals from the Old Testament, including a prophet and warriors from the tribes of Judah and Simeon, as well as a notable figure in David's court. The entries consistently highlight Jehu's significance during the Divided Monarchy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יֵהוּא n.pr.m.

king of Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri

prophet of N. Israel in time of Baasha & Jehoshaphat

one of David’s heroes

a Judahite

a Simeonite prince

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3058 יֵהוּא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3058 Yehuw' yay-hoo'

from 3068 and 1931; Jehovah (is) He; Jehu, the name of five

Israelites:--Jehu.

see HEBREW for 03068

see HEBREW for 01931

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יֵהוּא (ye.hu) — Jehu.

A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.1;

son of: Hanani (H2607)

§ Jehu = "Jehovah is He"

1) the king of the northern kingdom Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri

2) son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat

3) the Antothite, a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors

4) a descendant of Judah of the house of Hezron

5) son of Josibiah and a chief of the tribe of Simeon

יֵהוּא (ye.hu) — Jehu.

A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.19.16;

son of: Jehoshaphat (H3092J);

father of: Jehoahaz (H3059)

§ Jehu = "Jehovah is He"

1) the king of the northern kingdom Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri

2) son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat

3) the Antothite, a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

je'-hu (yehu; meaning uncertain, perhaps "Yahweh is he"; 1Ki 19:16,17; 2Ki 9; 10; Eiou): Son of Jehoshaphat, and descendant of Nimshi, hence, commonly called "the son of Nimshi"; 10th king of Israel, and founder of its IVth Dynasty. Jehu reign for 28 years. His accession may be reckoned at circa 752 BC (some date a few years later).

1. Officer of Ahab:

A soldier of fortune, Jehu appears first as an officer in the body-guard of Ahab. To himself we owe the information that he was present at the judicial murder of Naboth, and that Naboth's sons were put to death with their father (2Ki 9:26). He was in attendance when Ahab drove from Samaria to inspect his new possession in Jezreel, and was witness of the dramatic encounter at the vineyard between the king and the prophet Elijah…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jehu

Jehovah is he. (1.) The son of Obed, and father of Azariah (1 Chr. 2:38).

(2.) One of the Benjamite slingers that joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:3).

(3.) The son of Hanani, a prophet of Judah (1 Kings 16:1, 7; 2 Chr. 19:2; 20:34), who pronounced the sentence of God against Baasha, the king of Israel.

(4.) King of Israel, the son of Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 9:2), and grandson of Nimshi. The story of his exaltation to the throne is deeply interesting. During the progress of a war against the Syrians, who were becoming more and more troublesome to Israel, in a battle at Ramoth-gilead Jehoram, the king of Israel, had been…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(the living). The founder of the fifth dynasty of the kingdom of Israel, son of Jehoshaphat. (2 Kings 9:2) He reigned over Israel 28 years, B.C. 884-856. His first appearance in history is when he heard the warning of Elijah against the murderer of Naboth. (2 Kings 9:25) In the reigns of Ahaziah and Jehoram, Jehu rose to importance. He was, under the last-named king, captain of the host in the siege of Ramoth-gilead. During this siege he was anointed by Elisha’s servant, and told that he was appointed to be king of Israel and destroyer of the house of Ahab. (2 Kings 9:12) The army at once ordained him king, and he set off full speed for Jezreel. Jehoram, who was lying ill in Jezreel, came out to meet him, as it happened on the…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The son of Hanani, a prophet, sent with messages from God to Baasha king of Israel, and many years afterwards, to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, 1Ki 16:1-7 2Ch 19:1-3 20:34.

The "son" of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi, (compare 1Ki 19:16 2Ki 9:2) a general of the army of Joram, slew his master, and usurped the throne of Israel, B. C. 884. He reigned twentyeight years. See his history in 1Ki 19:16,17 2Ki 9:1-10:36. He fulfilled the divine purpose in extirpating the family of the impious Ahab, and zealously destroyed the priests of Baal and many other friends of Ahab. But…

and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָהyiz.re.'E.lah Jezreel towards H3157 Noun proper · suffix
36× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jezreel means God sows, the name of a city in Issachar and a place in Palestine where God sows or nurtures growth.
Amplified meaning
God sows, a city in Issachar
Tyndale gloss
(Valley of) Jezreel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יִזְרְעֶאל (yizre'el) means "God sows" and refers to both a city in the Negev of Judah and another in Issachar, located on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa. It is also the name of a man, specifically the first son of the prophet Hosea. The entries indicate its geographical and personal significance, but do not present any notable disagreements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יִזְרְעֶאל

n.pr.loc. (God soweth)

city in the Negeb of Judah

city in Issachar

n.pr.m.

Hosea’s son

Judahite name

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3157 יִזְרְעֶאל, יִזְרְעֵאל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3157 Yizr`e'l yiz-reh-ale'

from 2232 and 410; God will sow; Jizreel, the name of two

places in Palestine and of two Israelites:--Jezreel.

see HEBREW for 02232

see HEBREW for 0410

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.

Jezreel = "God sows"

a city in the Nekeb of Judah

Also named: yiz.re.e.li (יִזְרְעֵאלִי "Jezreel" H3158)

יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.

Jezreel = "God sows"

a city in Issachar on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa

Also named: yiz.re.e.li (יִזְרְעֵאלִי "Jezreelite" H3158H)

יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.

§ Jezreel = "God sows"

a city in Issachar on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa

יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el) — Jezreel.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.3;

son of: Hur (H2354);

brother of: Uri (H0221), Shobal (H7732H), Salma (H8007H), Hareph (H2780), Ishma (H3457), Idbash (H3031), Hazzelelponi (H6753), Penuel (H6439H) and Ezer (H5829)

§ Jezreel = "God sows"

1) a descendant of the father or founder of Etam of Judah

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper | Suff — Noun proper · suffix
HNpl/Sd
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
וְאִיזֶ֣בֶלve.'i.Ze.vel and Jezebel H348 Conjunction · noun proper feminine
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, a queen of Israel, known for her evil deeds. She appears in 1 Kings 16:31, influencing Ahab to worship Baal and oppose God's prophets, like Elijah. Her story serves as a warning against idolatry and disobedience.
Amplified meaning
the wife of King Ahab, a queen of Israel
Tyndale gloss
Jezebel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִיזֶבֶל (i.ze.vel) refers to Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel, known for her influence during the Divided Monarchy. The name is derived from roots meaning 'Baal exalts' or 'Baal is husband to.' She is first mentioned in 1 Kings 16:31 and is the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִיזֶבֶל n.pr.f. queen of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H348 אִיזֶבֶל

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

348 'Iyzebel ee-zeh'-bel

from 336 and 2083; Izebel, the wife of king Ahab:--Jezebel.

see HEBREW for 0336

see HEBREW for 02083

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִיזֶבֶל (i.ze.vel) — Jezebel.

A queen of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.31;

daughter of: Ethbaal (H0856); married to Ahab (H0256);

mother of: Ahaziah (H0274) and Joram (H3141H)

Also named: Iezabēl (Ἰεζαβήλ "Jezebel" G2403)

§ Jezebel = "Baal exalts" or "Baal is husband to" or "unchaste"

queen of Israel, wife of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper feminine
HC/Npf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jez'-e-bel 'izebhel, "unexalted," "unhusbanded" (?); Iezabel; see BDB; 1Ki 16:31; 18:4,13,19; 19:1,2; 21:5 ff; 2Ki 9:7 ff,30 ff; Re 2:20): Daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, i.e. Phoenicians, and queen of Ahab, king of Northern Israel. Ahab (circa 874-853 BC) carried out a policy, which his father had perhaps started, of making alliances with other states. The alliance with the Phoenicians was cemented by his marriage with Jezebel, and he subsequently gave his daughter Athaliah in marriage to Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. His own union with Jezebel is regarded as a sin in 1Ki 16:31, where the Massoretic Text is difficult, being generally understood as…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jezebel

Chaste, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians, and the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). This was the “first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess; and the alliance was in this case of a peculiarly disastrous kind. Jezebel has stamped her name on history as the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her in all its splendour. Four hundred and fifty prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets of the groves [R.V., ’prophets of the Asherah’]…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(chaste), wife of Ahab king of Israel. (B.C. 883.) She was a Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians. In her hands her husband became a mere puppet. (1 Kings 21:25) The first effect of her influence was the immediate establishment of the Phoenician worship on a grand scale in the court of Ahab. At her table were supported no less than 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Eastward. (1 Kings 16:31,21; 18:19) The prophets of Jehovah were attacked by her orders and put to the sword. (1 Kings 18:13; 2 Kings 9:7) At last the people, at the instigation of Elijah, rose against her ministers and slaughtered them at the foot of Carmel. When she found her husband…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre and Zidon, and wife of Ahab king of Israel, 1Ki 16:31. She spent herself in efforts to establish idolatry in Samaria, and exterminate the worship of God and the lives of his servants. Obadiah saved a hundred of them, at the risk of his own life. Jezebel herself maintained four hundred priests of Astarte. When the prophets of Baal perished at Carmel, at the word of Elijah, she sought to avenge herself on him. Afterwards, she secured the vineyard of Naboth for her husband by perjuries and murder; and her tragical death, the fitting close of a bloody life, took place, according to the prediction of Elijah, near the scene of this crime,

1Ki 19:1-21 21:1-29 2Ki 9:1-37. Her name has become a proverb…

and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
שָׁמְעָ֗הsha.me.'Ah she heard H8085 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
1,160× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Amplified meaning
listened and gave attention
Tyndale gloss
to hear: hear
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear

Qal 1052

subj. pers. hum.

י׳ (God) subj.

Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound

be heard of

be regarded, obeyed

= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.

Pi. he caused the people to hear

Hiph. 63

of man

י׳ subj.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8085 שָׁמַע hear

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8085 shama` shaw-mah'

a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with

implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to

tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X

carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,

declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make

to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)

obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,

regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,

understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.

: hear

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to

1a5) to understand (language)

1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)

1a7) to listen, give heed

1a7a) to consent, agree

1a7b) to grant request

1a8) to listen to, yield to

1a9) to obey, be obedient

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)

1b2) to be heard of

1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed

1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon

1d) (Hiphil)

1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound

1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)

1d3) to make proclamation, summon

1d4) to cause to be heard

n m

2) sound

שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.

: obey

v

1) to hear, listen to, obey

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)

1a2) to hear of or concerning

1a3) to hear (have power to hear)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
וַתָּ֨שֶׂםva.Ta.sem and she set H7760 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
585× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Amplified meaning
applied stibium, a type of eye makeup
Tyndale gloss
to set: make
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set

Qal

put, set, in a place

put something upon

put, lay, set

put, c. בֵּין

set, direct

set, ordain, in a place

set, establish a law, statute

set, found a nation

set, appoint (as ruler, official)

set, constitute, make

set, determine, fix, bounds

set, station, at a post

put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

set up altars

= plant, wheat

set, fix (countenance)

make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

make, constitute

work, bring to pass

appoint, give

set, fix (countenance)

Hiph. I will make him for a sign

Hoph. there was set before him

base

שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place

. put something upon

. put, lay, set

. put, c. בֵּין

. set, direct

. . set, ordain, in a place

. set, establish a law, statute

. set, found a nation

. set, appoint (as ruler, official)

. set, constitute, make

. set, determine, fix, bounds

. . set, station, at a post

. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

. set up altars

. = plant, wheat

. set, fix (countenance)

. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

. make, constitute

. work, bring to pass

. appoint, give

. set, fix (countenance)

. I will make him for a sign

. there was set before him

H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7760 suwm soom

or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great

variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,

and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a

name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,

convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap

up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),

mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,

purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set

(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,

((over-))turn, X wholly, work.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.

: make/establish

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix

1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give

1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign

1c) (Hophal) to be set

שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.

token of unluckiness, scowl

שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.

: put/give

1) to put, place, set, appoint, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on

1a2) to set, direct, direct toward

1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)

1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vhw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Few words in the English language have such a rich variety of meaning and are used in so rich a variety of idiomatic expression as the word "set." A glance at any of the great dictionaries will convince anyone of the truth of this statement. The Standard Dictionary devotes three and a half columns to the word. In its primary meaning it there denotes 22 distinct things, in its secondary meaning 17 more, while 18 distinct phrases are given in which it is used, in some cases again in a variety of meanings. It is indeed a word calculated to drive a foreigner to despair. Some 70 Hebrew and about 30 Greek words in the original tongues of the Holy Scriptures have been rendered by the word "set," in the King James Version and also in the Revised Version (British and American). A careful comparative study of the original and of translations in other tongues will at once indicate that a lack of…

and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
בַּפּ֤וּךְba.Pukh with eye-paint H6320 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means a type of eye makeup, specifically a black dye called stibium. In 2 Kings 9:30, it describes the makeup worn by Jezebel. The KJV translates it as paint or fair colors.
Tyndale gloss
color
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פּוּךְ (puk) refers to a substance associated with color, specifically antimony or stibium, which was used as a black paint or eye cosmetic. The word is built from an unused root meaning to paint or dye, and it covers the idea of fair colors and glistering effects.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פּוּךְ n.[m.] antimony, stibium

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6320 פּוּךְ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6320 puwk pook

from an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically,

stibium for the eyes):--fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed)

(-ing).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פּוּךְ (pukh) — color.

1) antimony, stibium, black paint

1a) eye cosmetic

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pant (from Old French peinctre, frequentative of peindre, Latin pingo, "to paint"):

(1) From Hebrew verb mashach, "to smear," "to anoint," "to paint," describing the painting of interiors with vermilion, perhaps resembling lacquer: "ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion" (Jer 22:14). The shields of the Ninevite soldiers were red, presumably painted (Na 2:3).

(2) From noun pukh, "paint," "antimon," "stibium," "black mineral powder" used as a cosmetic, to lend artificial size and fancied beauty to the eye, always spoken of as a meretricious device, indicating light or unworthy character. Jezebel "painted her eyes, and attired her head" (2Ki 9:30, literally, "put pukh into her eyes"). To the harlot city Jerusalem, Jeremiah…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Paint

Jezebel “painted her face” (2 Kings 9:30); and the practice of painting the face and the eyes seems to have been common (Jer. 4:30; Ezek. 23:40). An allusion to this practice is found in the name of Job’s daughter (42:14) Kerenhappuch (q.v.). Paintings in the modern sense of the word were unknown to the ancient Jews.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(as a cosmetic). The use of cosmetic dyes has prevailed in all ages in eastern countries. We have abundant evidence of the practice of painting the eyes both in ancient Egypt and in Assyria; and in modern times no usage is more general. It does not appear, however, to have been by any means universal among the Hebrews. The notices of it are few; and in each instance it seems to have been used as a meretricious art, unworthy of a woman of high character. The Bible gives no indication of the substance out of which the dye was formed. The old versions agree in pronouncing the dye to have been produced from antimony. Antimony is still used for the purpose in Arabia and in Persia, but in Egypt the kohl is a root produced by burning either a kind of frankincense or the shells of almonds. The dye-stuff was moistened with oil and kept in a small jar. Whether the custom of staining the hands and…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙'ei.Nei.ha eyes her H5869 Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
887× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Amplified meaning
the source of sight and perception
Tyndale gloss
eye
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye

lit. as physical organ

eyes as showing mental qualities

desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

Transferred mngs.:

visible surface of earth

appearance

gleam, sparkle

Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

base

עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:

ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1

ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19

ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.

ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ

. . eyes as showing mental qualities

. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes

. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states

. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth

. appearance

. gleam, sparkle

. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead

H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5869 `ayin ah'-yin

probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or

figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the

landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +

think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +

displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,

fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,

knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,

presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +

think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.

: eye

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.

§ spring, fountain

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.

: seeing

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.

: appearance

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).

: before(the_eyes)

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.

: sin

1) eye

1a) eye

1a1) of physical eye

1a2) as showing mental qualities

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffix
HNcfdc/Sp3fs
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
וַתֵּ֣יטֶבva.Tei.tev and she made good H3190 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
117× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
made beautiful and pleasing
Tyndale gloss
be good
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָטַב (yatab) is a primitive root meaning to be good or pleasing. It encompasses a range of meanings including being glad, making something good or right, and dealing well with others. The entries highlight its use in both a literal sense (like sound or beautiful) and a figurative sense (like happy or successful).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָטַב] vb. be good, well, glad, pleasing

Qal

be glad, joyful

be well placed

impers. be well for or with, go well with

be pleasing

Hithp.

make glad, rejoice

do good to, deal well with

do well or thoroughly

make a thing good, right, beautiful

do well, right, ethically

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3190 יָטַב be good, well, glad, pleasing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3190 yatab yaw-tab'

a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally

(sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful,

right):--be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make)

better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, + be content,

diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad,

do (be, make) good((-ness)), be (make) merry, please (+ well),

shew more (kindness), skilfully, X very small, surely, make

sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat,

go, have) well (said, seen).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָטַב (ya.tav) — be good.

1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be glad, be joyful

1a2) to be well placed

1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with

1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to make glad, rejoice

1b2) to do good to, deal well with

1b3) to do well, do thoroughly

1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful

1b5) to do well, do right

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vhw3fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
רֹאשָׁ֔הּro.Shah head her H7218 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
600× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Amplified meaning
the topmost part of the body
Tyndale gloss
head
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֹאשׁ (ro'sh) means 'head' and encompasses various meanings related to position and rank. It can refer to the head of a person or animal, the top of a mountain, or a chief in various contexts, such as a city or nation. The word also signifies beginnings and sums, appearing in phrases related to enumeration. Additionally, it serves as a proper noun for 'Rosh,' a title for a chief or prince.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֹאשׁ 599 n.m.

(c. 230 t.) head, of human being

head, of animals

top (88 t.)

height, of stars

head = chief (man)

= chief (city)

chief nation

= chief (place, position)

= chief priest

= head of a family

head = front, leader's place

of time, beginning, of night watch

of things, river-heads

chief, choicest, best, of spices

head = division of army, company, band

= sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

other phr.

base

רֹאשׁ n.pr.gent. Rôsh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7218a רֹאשׁ . . (c. 230 t.) head, of human being

. head, of animals

. . top (88 t.)

. height, of stars

. . head = chief (man)

. = chief (city)

. chief nation

. = chief (place, position)

. = chief priest

. = head of a family

. . head = front, leader's place

. of time, beginning, of night watch

. of things, river-heads

. chief, choicest, best, of spices

. head = division of army, company, band

. = sum, esp. in phr. take sum of, enumerate

. other phr.

H7218b רֹאשׁ n. pr. gent. Rôsh

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7218 ro'sh roshe

from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as

most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many

applications, of place, time, rank, itc.):--band, beginning,

captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company,

end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head,

height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor,

principal, ruler, sum, top.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head.

: head

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — prince.

Rosh, a tite for a chief or prince

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: leader.

: leader

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

1b) top, tip (of mountain)

1c) height (of stars)

1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)

1e) head, front, beginning

1f) chief, choicest, best

1g) head, division, company, band

1h) sum

רֹאשׁ (rosh) — head: top.

: top/best

1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning

1a) head (of man, animals)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3fs
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ףva.tash.Kef and she looked down H8259 Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
22× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To look means to gaze or peep out, like looking out a window. It can also mean to overlook or gaze down, as in Psalm 14 where God looks down on humanity to see their ways.
Amplified meaning
gazed or peeped out
Tyndale gloss
to look
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁקַף (sha.qaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look down or out, often implying an action of leaning over to gaze. It encompasses the ideas of overhanging and peeping, with forms indicating both passive and active looking. The entries suggest its use in contexts where one overlooks or observes from a height.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁקַף] vb. Niph. Hiph. overhang, look out and down

Niph. lean over (and look), look down

Hiph. look down

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8259 שָׁקַף overhang, look out and down . lean over (and look), look down

. look down

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8259 shaqaph shaw-kaf'

a primitive root; properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e.

(by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle):--

appear, look (down, forth, out).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁקַף (sha.qaph) — to look.

1) to overlook, look down or out, overhang, look out and down

1a) (Niphal) to lean over (and look), look down

1b) (Hiphil) to look down, look down upon

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vhw3fs
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
בְּעַ֥דbe.'Ad through H1157 Prep
105× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means about, through, or for something, often used to describe location or action. It can be translated as 'about', 'at', 'by', or 'through', depending on the context in which it is used.
Tyndale gloss
about/through/for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּ֫עַד (ba'ad) is a Hebrew word that functions as a preposition and noun, indicating separation or position, such as 'away from,' 'behind,' 'about,' or 'on behalf of.' It is derived from a root meaning to separate and covers a range of spatial and metaphorical uses. The lexicons agree on its meanings, with variations in emphasis on specific usages.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּ֫עַד subst. prop. separation, with a gen., in separation from, in usage a prep. away from, behind, about, on behalf of

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1157 בַּ֫עַד subst. prop. separation, with a gen., in separation from, in usage a prep. away from, behind, about, on behalf of

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1157 b`ad beh-ad'

from 5704 with prepositional prefix; in up to or over

against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for,

etc.:--about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on),

within.

see HEBREW for 05704

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּ֫עַד (be.ad) — about/through/for.

1) behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about

1a) through (of action)

1b) behind (with verbs of shutting)

1c) about (with verbs of fencing)

1d) on behalf of (metaph. especially with Hithpael)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Prep
HAcbsc
and he went Jehu Jezreel towards and Jezebel she heard and she set with eye-paint eyes her and she made good the object marker head her and she looked down through the window
הַחַלּֽוֹן׃ha.cha.Lon the window H2474 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A window in ancient times was a hole in the wall, as described in the Bible. The Hebrew word for window is used in the story of Jezebel's death in 2 Kings 9:30-33. Windows were also mentioned in the Song of Solomon.
Amplified meaning
a hole in the wall, an opening for observation
Tyndale gloss
window
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חַלּוֹן (challown) means 'window' in Hebrew, referring to an opening or perforation in a wall. The term is noted as both masculine and feminine in gender. It emphasizes the concept of a window as a means of light and air entering a space.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חַלּוֹן n.m. and f. window

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2474 חַלּוֹן window

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2474 challown khal-lone'

a window (as perforated):--window.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חַלּוֹן (chal.lon) — window.

window (piercing of the wall)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

win'-do.

See HOUSE, II, 1, (9).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Window

Properly only an opening in a house for the admission of light and air, covered with lattice-work, which might be opened or closed (2 Kings 1:2; Acts 20:9). The spies in Jericho and Paul at Damascus were let down from the windows of houses abutting on the town wall (Josh. 2:15; 2 Cor. 11:33). The clouds are metaphorically called the “windows of heaven” (Gen. 7:11; Mal. 3:10). The word thus rendered in Isa. 54:12 ought rather to be rendered “battlements” (LXX., “bulwarks;” R.V., “pinnacles”), or as Gesenius…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

The window of an Oriental house consists generally of an aperture closed in with lattice-work. (Judges 5:28; Proverbs 7:6) Authorized Version "casement;" (Ecclesiastes 12:3) Authorized Version "window;" (Solomon 2:9; Hosea 13:3) Authorized Version "chimney." Glass has been introduced into Egypt in modern times as a protection against the cold of winter, but lattice-work is still the usual, and with the poor the only, contrivance for closing the window. The windows generally look into the inner court of the house, but in every house one or more look into the street. In Egypt these outer windows generally project over the doorway. [HOUSE]

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ge 6:16; 26:8; Jos 2:15,21; 1Ki 6:4; Eze 40:16-36; Ac 20:9

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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