Topical Bible: Idolatry: Jezebel

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Jezebel, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is often associated with idolatry and the promotion of pagan worship within the kingdom of Israel. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and became the wife of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). Her marriage to Ahab marked a significant turning point in the spiritual decline of Israel, as she introduced and fervently promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah, leading the nation into idolatry.

Jezebel's influence over Ahab and her active role in promoting idolatry are well-documented in the biblical narrative. She is described as a woman of strong will and determination, who did not hesitate to use her power to further her religious agenda. Under her influence, Ahab built an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he constructed in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32). This act of establishing a center for Baal worship in the heart of Israel was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3).

Jezebel's zeal for idolatry extended beyond mere promotion; she actively persecuted the prophets of Yahweh. She ordered the massacre of the Lord's prophets, an act that led to the hiding of a hundred prophets by Obadiah, a devout servant of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4). Her hostility towards the worship of Yahweh culminated in her confrontation with the prophet Elijah, who challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. This dramatic encounter, where God demonstrated His power by consuming Elijah's sacrifice with fire from heaven, resulted in the execution of the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40).

Jezebel's idolatry was not limited to religious practices but also extended to her moral conduct. She orchestrated the unjust execution of Naboth to seize his vineyard for Ahab, an act that further exemplified her disregard for God's laws (1 Kings 21:1-16). This incident prompted Elijah to prophesy the downfall of Ahab's house and the violent death of Jezebel, declaring, "The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel" (1 Kings 21:23).

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 2 Kings 9, where Jezebel meets her end at the hands of Jehu, who was anointed king to execute judgment on the house of Ahab. As Jehu entered Jezreel, Jezebel confronted him from a window, but at his command, eunuchs threw her down, and her body was trampled by horses. Later, when they went to bury her, they found only her skull, feet, and hands, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy (2 Kings 9:30-37).

Jezebel's legacy is one of infamy, serving as a symbol of idolatry and apostasy in Israel. Her name is invoked in the New Testament in the letter to the church in Thyatira, where a woman is compared to Jezebel for leading believers into immorality and idolatry (Revelation 2:20). This reference underscores the enduring association of Jezebel with the dangers of idolatry and the corruption it brings to the worship of the true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ahaziah
... the main training and influence were supplied by one of Jezebel's brood. ... they refuse
to follow in their fathers' steps; they destroy idolatry, and endeavour to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

Thyatira
... in the word "Asherah." To particularise on this form of idolatry would be ... 2:14) became
elevated into a national religious system under Ahab and Jezebel, as it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/thyatira.htm

National Apostasy
... worship at the capital city, but under the leadership of Jezebel he erected ... the priests
and others connected with this seductive form of idolatry exerted their ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... In the year 884 Jehoram was slain in his chariot; Jezebel, thrown out of ... the worshippers
of Baal were massacred, and the land purified from this idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... not convince, Ahab, so that he did not oppose the slaughter of the Baal prophets;
but Jezebel was made of sterner stuff, and her passionate idolatry was proof ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... mention is made of the statutes of Omri, as if he had given edicts for idolatry.
The reign of Ahab is similarly summarised. His marriage with Jezebel, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

Elijah the Tishbite
... to Jezebel"as if by silencing his voice they could stay the fulfillment of his words!
In the face of calamity they continued to stand firm in their idolatry. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

The Inexhaustible Barrel
... The two peoples had provoked the Most High, the one by renouncing him, and the other
by sending forth their queen Jezebel, to teach idolatry in the midst of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the inexhaustible barrel.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... Jeroboam was the first who made Israel thus to sin, but it culminated under Ahab
and Jezebel. Under these two, organized idolatry of the grossest kind became ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the ...
... 3771] how king Ahab in like manner, the husband of Jezebel, guilty of idolatry and
of the blood of Naboth, obtained pardon because of his repentance; [3772 ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x further proofs of the.htm