Jezebel, symbol of evil influence
To be a Jezebel, to have the spirit of a Jezebel... this biblical name is used in expressions with very negative connotations. But who really is Jezebel in the Bible? A Phoenician princess, she married King Ahab, King of Israel. Her story is recounted in the books of Kings, but the name Jezebel also appears in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation. What is it about this key biblical figure that gives her such a bad name? What were Queen Jezebel's sins , and why did she become a symbol of bad behavior ? Discover the character of Jezebel through Bible verses and passages
Jezebel and Ahab: apostasy, idolatry and corruption
After the Kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms, kings succeeded one another in both North and South. Ahab became king of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. She introduced the worship of her gods into Israel, notably Baal and Astarte.
Jezebel thus became the symbol of idolatry, worshipping false gods, but also of corruption, since she imposed the worship of these divinities on her husband and throughout the kingdom, thus turning the people away from the god of Israel. Under her influence, Ahab became idolatrous and cruel, adopting behavior that displeased God. In common parlance, a Jezebel is a woman with a harmful influence.
Bible verses :
"It was not enough for him to follow the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. He even married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal, and worship him. Ahab set up an altar to Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria," (1 Kings 16:31-32).
"Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the Lord as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel." (1 Kings 21:25)
Jezebel and Elijah: persecution and false prophets
Jezebel installed the prophets of Baal and persecuted the prophets of the Lord. Only a few were saved, thanks to Obadiah, a counselor who remained faithful to God.
Faced with Jezebel, God sends Elijah, one of the most important prophets in biblical history. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and shows the people that the only God is the living God of Israel.
But for this, he will incur the hatred of Jezebel.
Bible verses :
"When Jezebel was slaughtering the prophets of the L ord , Obadiah took a hundred prophets, hid them away by fifties in caves, and supplied them with food and water." (1 Kings 18:4).
"Jezebel then sent a messenger to Elijah and said, “May the gods do thus to me and more, if by this time tomorrow I have not done with your life what was done to each of them.” (1 Kings 19:2)
Jezebel and Naboth: lies, cruelty and treachery
To recover the land of a vinedresser named Naboth, which Ahab wanted to make his vegetable garden, Jezebel doesn't hesitate to set up an intrigue and to lie. She would have him put to death on a false charge, so that she could take over his land.
This episode illustrates why the name Jezebel is associated with manipulative and amoral behavior.
Bible verses :
"Jezebel his wife said to him, “What a king of Israel you are! Get up! Eat and be cheerful. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” (1 Kings 21:7)
"So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth. This is what she wrote in the letters: “Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. Next, set two scoundrels opposite him to accuse him: ‘You have cursed God and king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”"(1 Kings 21:8-10)
Jezebel's death: a disgrace
God sees through Jezebel's behavior and lack of repentance, despite Elijah's warnings. Her violent death symbolizes her degradation and dishonor. Thrown from a window, she falls into the street and is devoured by dogs.
Biblical passage:
“Throw her down,” he ordered. They threw her down, and some of her blood spurted against the wall and against the horses. Jehu trod over her body and, after eating and drinking, he said: “Attend to that accursed woman and bury her; for she was the daughter of a king.” But when they went to bury her, they found nothing of her but the skull, the feet, and the hands. They returned to Jehu, and when they told him, he said, “This is the word the L ord spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: In the confines of Jezreel the dogs shall devour the flesh of Jezebel. The corpse of Jezebel shall be like dung in the field in the confines of Jezreel, so that no one can say: This was Jezebel.” (2 Kings 9:33-37)
What does the story of Jezebel teach us?
The story of Jezebel should not be used to judge the conduct of others, or to stigmatize certain women.
Rather, the characters of Jezebel and Ahab should invite each of us to question our own choices and relationships:
- Are the people around me pushing me to grow, to do the right thing, or are they encouraging me to go against my own values?
- Am I able to maintain freedom of thought and action in my relationships, or am I easily influenced?
- Do I know how to take the time to discern and entrust my decisions and choices to God, without blindly following others?
- Are the choices I make in my life in line with God's will?
- What motivates me to act? Am I driven by a desire to please others, by pride or fear, or by a desire to serve God?
With Hozana, let's put God at the heart of our lives
Hozana offers prayer and spiritual journeys based on the Word of God and the teachings of Christian partners, helping each person to strengthen their personal relationship with the Lord.
This can be done, for example, through a short guided meditation, by immersing yourself in with this daily accompaniment, by discovering the face of the true God .
