2403. Iezabel

Lexical Summary

Iezabel: Jezebel

Original Word: Ἰεζάβελ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Iezabel
Pronunciation: ee-eh-zab'-el
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ed-zab-ale')
KJV: Jezabel
NASB: Jezebel
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H348 (אִיזֶבֶל - Jezebel))]

1. Jezabel (i.e. Jezebel), a Tyrian woman
2. (symbolically) used as a synonym of a shrew, hellcat, or harpy (i.e. a malicious, scolding, quarrelsome, predatory woman
3. (concretely, by association) a false teacher (female)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Jezabel.

Of Hebrew origin ('Iyzebel); Jezabel (i.e. Jezebel), a Tyrian woman (used as a synonym of a termagant or false teacher) -- Jezabel.

see HEBREW 'Iyzebel

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Izebel
Definition
Jezebel, the symbolic name of a false prophetess
NASB Translation
Jezebel (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2403: Ιεζαβελ

Ιεζαβελ ((so G T WH, L Ιεζαβελ; Tr Ιεζαβελ; Rec. Ἰεζάβηλ), ἡ (אִיזֶבֶל (`perhaps intact, chaste; cf. Agnes' (Gesenius))), Jezebel (modern: Isabel), wife of Ahab (circa ; 1 Kings 16:29), an impious and cruel queen, who protected idolatry and persecuted the prophets (1 Kings 16:31 — 2 Kings 9:30); in Revelation 2:20 equivalent to a second Jezebel, the symbolic name of a woman who pretended to be a prophetess, and who, addicted to antinomianism, claimed for Christians the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols, Revelation 2:20.

Topical Lexicon

Historical Background in the Hebrew Scriptures

Jezebel first appears in Israel’s history as the Sidonian princess who married King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 16:31). Her arrival brought state-sponsored Baal worship, the systematic killing of Yahweh’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4), and direct intimidation of Elijah after Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:1–2). Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21) illustrates her misuse of royal authority, forged testimony, and covenant-breaking murder. Her violent death under Jehu (2 Kings 9:30-37) fulfilled prophetic judgment and left her name synonymous with idolatry, manipulation, and unrepentant defiance against God.

Key Old Testament Motifs

• State-sanctioned idolatry (1 Kings 18:19).
• Persecution of true prophets (1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:10).
• Unlawful seizure through false witness (1 Kings 21:8-14).
• Swift, decisive divine judgment (2 Kings 9:33-37).

Single New Testament Occurrence

Revelation 2:20 applies her name to a woman influencing the church in Thyatira:

“But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.”

Symbolic Significance in Revelation

1. False Prophecy: Claiming charismatic authority while contradicting apostolic doctrine.
2. Moral Corruption: Promoting sexual immorality and idolatrous compromise under the guise of spiritual liberty.
3. Ecclesial Tolerance: The church’s failure was not participation but toleration, a warning to exercise discernment and discipline.
4. Divine Patience and Judgment: “I have given her time to repent” (Revelation 2:21) parallels Elijah’s era of extended mercy before judgment fell.
5. Eschatological Justice: Her “children” (followers) face tribulation, echoing the dogs consuming Jezebel’s body (2 Kings 9:36) as an emblem of thorough judgment.

Thematic Parallels Between 1 Kings and Revelation

• Both settings feature a covenant community compromised by idolatry.
• A prophetic voice (Elijah; John’s apocalypse) exposes sin and announces judgment.
• God preserves a faithful remnant (1 Kings 19:18; Revelation 2:24).
• Judgment serves to vindicate divine holiness and encourage the faithful (Revelation 2:23).

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Guarding Doctrine: Leaders must refute teachings that rationalize immorality (Titus 1:9).
• Church Discipline: Toleration of ongoing, influential sin invites corporate judgment (1 Corinthians 5:6-13).
• Prophetic Courage: Elijah’s example and the message to Thyatira urge confrontation, not passive coexistence.
• Call to Repentance: Even the archetypal Jezebel was granted time to repent, underscoring God’s mercy before justice.
• Hope for Overcomers: “To the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations” (Revelation 2:26). Jezebel’s counterfeit rule is countered by Christ’s promise of genuine authority to the faithful.

Contemporary Relevance

The “Jezebel” pattern surfaces wherever persuasive voices inside the church dismiss biblical boundaries on sexuality, worship, or authority. Discernment involves testing claims of prophecy by Scriptural revelation (1 John 4:1), maintaining moral clarity, and trusting Christ to vindicate truth. Spiritual leaders must uphold holiness, intercede for repentance, and model the fearless obedience of Elijah while remembering the Lord’s assurance to the remnant in every age.

See Also

1 Kings 16–21; 2 Kings 9; Deuteronomy 13; Jeremiah 23; Matthew 24:11; 2 Peter 2; Jude 4; Revelation 17–18

Forms and Transliterations

Ιεζαβελ Ἰεζάβελ ιέρακα ιέραξ Iezabel Iezábel

Englishman's Concordance

Revelation 2:20 N
GRK: τὴν γυναῖκα Ἰεζάβελ ἡ λέγουσα
NAS: the woman Jezebel, who calls
KJV: that woman Jezebel, which
INT: the woman Jezebel her who calls

Strong's Greek 2403
1 Occurrence

Ἰεζάβελ — 1 Occ.