2 Kings 9:22
New International Version
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”

New Living Translation
King Joram demanded, “Do you come in peace, Jehu?” Jehu replied, “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?”

English Standard Version
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”

Berean Standard Bible
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

New American Standard Bible
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is your intention peace, Jehu?” And he answered, “What ‘peace,’ so long as your mother Jezebel’s acts of prostitution and witchcraft are so many?”

NASB 1995
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” And he answered, “What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?”

NASB 1977
And it came about, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” And he answered, “What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” And he answered, “What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her sorceries are so many?”

Amplified Bible
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Do you come in peace, Jehu?” And he answered, “What peace [can exist] as long as the fornications of your mother Jezebel and her sorceries are so many?”

Christian Standard Bible
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Do you come in peace, Jehu? ” He answered, “What peace can there be as long as there is so much prostitution and sorcery from your mother Jezebel? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Do you come in peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be as long as there is so much prostitution and witchcraft from your mother Jezebel?”

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
Joram asked, "Jehu, is this a peaceful visit?" "How can there be peace?" Jehu asked. "Your mother Jezebel has caused everyone to worship idols and practice witchcraft."

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, "Is everything alright, Jehu?" Jehu answered, "How can everything be alright as long as your mother continues her idolatry and witchcraft?"

Good News Translation
"Are you coming in peace?" Joram asked him. "How can there be peace," Jehu answered, "when we still have all the witchcraft and idolatry that your mother Jezebel started?"

International Standard Version
As soon as Joram noticed Jehu, he cried out, "Peace, Jehu?" Jehu replied, "What peace, given your mother Jezebel's prostitution and all of her witchcraft?"

Majority Standard Bible
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”

NET Bible
When Jehoram saw Jehu, he asked, "Is everything all right, Jehu?" He replied, "How can everything be all right as long as your mother Jezebel promotes idolatry and pagan practices?"

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?"

Webster's Bible Translation
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 lewd acts of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

World English Bible
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at Jehoram’s seeing Jehu, that he says, “Is there peace, Jehu?” And he says, “What [is] the peace, while the whoredoms of your mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts, are many?”

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at Jehoram's seeing Jehu, that he saith, 'Is there peace, Jehu?' and he saith, 'What is the peace, while the whoredoms of Jezebel thy mother, and her witchcrafts, are many?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when Jehoram saw Jehu, and he will say, Is it peace? and Jehu will say, What the peace, while the fornication of Jezebel thy mother and her sorceries are many?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said: Is there peace, Jehu? And he answered: What peace ? so long as the fornications of Jezabel thy mother, and her many sorceries are in their vigour.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Joram had seen Jehu, he said, “Is there peace, Jehu?” And he responded: “What is peace? For still the fornications of your mother, Jezebel, and her many poisons, are thriving.”

New American Bible
When Joram recognized Jehu, he asked, “Is everything all right, Jehu?” Jehu replied, “How could everything be all right as long as all the harlotry and sorcery of your mother Jezebel continues?”

New Revised Standard Version
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the many whoredoms and sorceries of your mother Jezebel continue?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And Jehu answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Yoram saw Yahu, he said to him: “Peace!” Yahu said to Yahu: “What is the peace of the whoredom of Izabeil your mother or of her many witchcrafts?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 harlotries of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when Joram saw Ju, that he said, Is it peace, Ju? And Ju said, How can it be peace? as yet there are the whoredoms of thy mother Jezabel, and her abundant witchcrafts.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah
21“Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” 23Joram turned around and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!”…

Cross References
1 Kings 16:30-33
However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. / And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. ...

1 Kings 21:25-26
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. / He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)

2 Kings 3:2-3
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He removed the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made. / Nevertheless, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.

2 Kings 10:18-28
Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot. / Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal. / And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it. ...

2 Kings 21:11
“Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,

Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Hosea 4:12-14
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Micah 6:16
You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”

Nahum 3:4
because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.

Jeremiah 7:9
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

Ezekiel 16:25-26
At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by. / You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:5
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Colossians 3:5-6
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.


Treasury of Scripture

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 prostitutions of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?

Is it peace

2 Kings 9:17
And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?

What peace

2 Kings 9:18
So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.

Isaiah 57:19-21
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him…

the whoredoms

1 Kings 16:30-33
And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him…

1 Kings 18:4
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

1 Kings 19:1,2
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword…

Jump to Previous
Abound Acts Arts Disgusting Fornications Full Harlotries Jehoram's Jehu Jezebel Jez'ebel Joram Lewd Mother Peace Possible Prostitution Secret Sins Sorceries Whoredoms Witchcraft Witchcrafts
Jump to Next
Abound Acts Arts Disgusting Fornications Full Harlotries Jehoram's Jehu Jezebel Jez'ebel Joram Lewd Mother Peace Possible Prostitution Secret Sins Sorceries Whoredoms Witchcraft Witchcrafts
2 Kings 9
1. Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth Gilead
4. The prophet having done his message, flees
11. Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth
27. Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem
30. Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs.














When Joram saw Jehu
This phrase sets the scene for a pivotal encounter. Joram, the king of Israel, is confronted by Jehu, a commander anointed by God to execute judgment. The Hebrew root for "saw" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies more than just physical sight; it suggests perception and understanding. Joram's recognition of Jehu is not just visual but also a moment of realization that his reign is under threat. Historically, this meeting is significant as it marks the beginning of the end for the house of Ahab, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy.

he asked, 'Have you come in peace, Jehu?'
Joram's question reflects a common ancient Near Eastern concern for peace, or "shalom" (שָׁלוֹם). This word encompasses not only the absence of conflict but also completeness and welfare. Joram's inquiry is ironic, given the tumultuous spiritual and political state of Israel under his rule. His question reveals a desire for stability, yet it is superficial, ignoring the deeper issues of idolatry and apostasy that plague his kingdom.

And Jehu replied, 'How can there be peace
Jehu's response is rhetorical, highlighting the impossibility of true peace under the current conditions. The Hebrew word for "peace" here again is "shalom," emphasizing that genuine peace is unattainable without addressing the root causes of Israel's turmoil. Jehu's mission is divinely ordained to cleanse Israel of its spiritual corruption, and his question underscores the necessity of confronting sin to achieve lasting peace.

as long as the idolatry and witchcraft
The terms "idolatry" (זְנוּנִים, zenunim) and "witchcraft" (כְּשָׁפִים, keshafim) denote the spiritual depravity that has infiltrated Israel. "Zenunim" often refers to harlotry or unfaithfulness, symbolizing Israel's betrayal of God through idol worship. "Keshafim" involves sorcery or magical practices, condemned in the Torah as abominations. These practices were introduced and perpetuated by Jezebel, leading Israel away from the covenant with Yahweh. The historical context reveals a nation steeped in pagan rituals, which Jehu is called to eradicate.

of your mother Jezebel abound?'
Jezebel, the Phoenician queen married to Ahab, is infamous for her role in promoting Baal worship and persecuting the prophets of Yahweh. Her influence is a direct challenge to the worship of the one true God. The Hebrew word for "abound" (רַב, rav) suggests a multitude or great extent, indicating the pervasive nature of Jezebel's idolatry and witchcraft. Jehu's mention of Jezebel highlights the personal and systemic corruption she represents. This confrontation is not just political but deeply spiritual, as Jehu seeks to restore Israel's fidelity to God.

(22) Is it peace, Jehu?--Joram meant, "Is all well at the seat of war?" Jehu's reply left no doubt of his intentions. He assumes the part of champion of the legitimate worship against Jezebel and her foreign innovations, and the lawless tyrannies by which she sought to enforce them. (Comp. 2Kings 9:25-26.)

What peace . . . are so many?--Rather, What is the peace during the whoredoms of thy mother, and her many witchcrafts--i.e., so long as they continue?

Whoredoms.--In the spiritual sense, i.e., idolatries. (See Note on 1Chronicles 5:25.)

Witchcrafts.--Sorceries; the use of spells and charms, common among Semitic idolaters. (Comp. the prohibitions in the Law (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10-11.) A great number of the Assyrian tablets contain magical formulas, incantations, and exorcisms. Babylonia was the home of the pseudo-science of magic; and the oldest collection of such formulas is that of Sargina king of Agade (Accad), compiled in seventy tablets, about 2200 B.C. . . .

Verse 22. - And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? Still the same question is asked; but we cannot be sure that it is asked in exactly the same sense. Something in the aspect of Jehu, and in his furious haste, may by this time have alarmed the king. Or possibly he maybe merely repeating the question put through his messengers, and still unanswered, Is all well with the army or no? Has there been any disaster?" Jehu, at any rate, chooses to understand his vague phrase in the former sense, as if he had asked, "Is it peace between thee and me?" and answers in the negative. And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witch-crafts are so many? literally, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and those many witchcrafts of hers continue. By "whoredoms" are meant idolatries, as so frequently in Scripture (Leviticus 19:29; Leviticus 20:5; Jeremiah 3:2, 9; Jeremiah 13:17; Ezekiel 16:17; Ezekiel 20:30; Ezekiel 23:11, etc.; Hosea 2:2; Hosea 4:12; Hosea 5:4; Nahum 3:4, etc.); by "witchcrafts" all those magical practices which were so common at the time in Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia, and no doubt also in Phoenicia, and which were so strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10). Besides the Baal-worship, Jezebel had introduced these unhallowed practices into the kingdom of Israel. Jehu reproaches Joram with allowing them, and declares that there can be no peace between him and his master under ouch circumstances. Having gained his object and got within bowshot of the unsuspecting monarch, he throws off the mask and declares uncompromising hostility. "No man could use such terms of the queen-mother who was willing any longer to be a subject."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Joram
יְהוֹרָם֙ (yə·hō·w·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3088: Jehoram -- 'the LORD is exalted', the name of several Israelites

saw
כִּרְא֤וֹת (kir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

Jehu,
יֵה֔וּא (yê·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

he asked,
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Have you come in peace,
הֲשָׁל֣וֹם (hă·šā·lō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

Jehu?”
יֵה֑וּא (yê·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

“How
מָ֣ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

can there be
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

peace,”
הַשָּׁל֔וֹם (haš·šā·lō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

he replied,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“as long as
הָרַבִּֽים׃ (hā·rab·bîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

the idolatry
זְנוּנֵ֞י (zə·nū·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2183: Adultery, idolatry

and witchcraft
וּכְשָׁפֶ֖יהָ (ū·ḵə·šā·p̄e·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3785: Sorcery

of your mother
אִמְּךָ֛ (’im·mə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

Jezebel abound?”
אִיזֶ֧בֶל (’î·ze·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 348: Jezebel -- queen of Israel with King Ahab


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OT History: 2 Kings 9:22 It happened when Joram saw Jehu that (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 9:21
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