Let me tell you about one of the most notorious women in Scripture. Who was Jezebel in the Bible? She was a powerful foreign queen who married King Ahab of Israel and became known for her wickedness, idol worship, and fierce opposition to God's prophets.

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Her story serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of false worship, manipulation, and abuse of power. Though she lived thousands of years ago, Jezebel's influence was so significant that her name became synonymous with evil and corruption.

For further study, explore Elijah’s showdown with Baal or God’s justice in Scripture.

Who Was Jezebel in the Bible?

Chapter 1: A Foreign Princess Becomes Queen

Jezebel's story begins in 1 Kings 16, where we learn about her background and marriage to King Ahab of Israel. She was a Phoenician princess, daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon, who worshipped the false gods Baal and Asherah.

"Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him" (1 Kings 16:30-31).

This marriage was a political alliance between Israel and Phoenicia, but it brought terrible spiritual consequences. Instead of Jezebel adopting the God of Israel, she brought her pagan worship with her. She was determined and forceful, convincing Ahab to build a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria, the capital city of Israel.

Under Jezebel's influence, the worship of false gods spread rapidly throughout Israel. She used her position as queen to promote Baal worship and to oppose the worship of the true God of Israel.

Chapter 2: Confrontation with Elijah

God sent the prophet Elijah to confront King Ahab and the Baal worship that Jezebel had established. Elijah boldly declared there would be no rain in the land except by his word. For three and a half years, a severe drought gripped Israel, showing the powerlessness of Baal, who was supposedly the god of storms and rain.

Finally, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel. "Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table" (1 Kings 18:19).

In this famous contest, Baal's prophets called on their god for hours, but nothing happened. When Elijah prayed to the true God, fire immediately fell from heaven and consumed his sacrifice, even though it had been drenched with water!

The people of Israel fell on their faces and declared, "The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!" (1 Kings 18:39). Then Elijah had the false prophets of Baal seized and executed according to God's law.

When Jezebel heard what had happened, she was furious: "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them" (1 Kings 19:2). Despite his great victory, Elijah feared for his life and fled into the wilderness because of Jezebel's death threat.

Chapter 3: Naboth's Vineyard

Perhaps the most revealing story about Jezebel's character involves Naboth's vineyard. King Ahab wanted to buy a vineyard that belonged to a man named Naboth, but Naboth refused to sell his family inheritance.

"Ahab had said to Naboth, 'Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.' But Naboth replied, 'The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors'" (1 Kings 21:2-3).

When Ahab came home sulking because he couldn't get the vineyard, Jezebel took matters into her own hands: "I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite" (1 Kings 21:7).

She devised a wicked scheme, writing letters in Ahab's name and sealing them with his seal. She ordered the elders to proclaim a fast and seat Naboth in a prominent place, then have two scoundrels falsely accuse him of cursing God and the king. According to the law, such a crime was punishable by death.

The elders followed Jezebel's instructions exactly: "So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death" (1 Kings 21:13). Then Jezebel told Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead" (1 Kings 21:15).

This cruel murder revealed Jezebel's ruthlessness and her willingness to use deception, false accusations, and murder to get what she wanted.

Chapter 4: Jezebel's Downfall

God sent Elijah to confront Ahab about Naboth's murder with a terrible prophecy: "In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood" (1 Kings 21:19). And concerning Jezebel, Elijah prophesied: "Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel" (1 Kings 21:23).

Years later, after both Ahab and his son had died, God's judgment against Jezebel finally came. Jehu, who had been anointed as the new king of Israel, went to Jezreel where Jezebel was staying.

When he arrived, Jezebel tried to intimidate him: "She painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window" (2 Kings 9:30). Even facing judgment, Jezebel remained proud and defiant.

Jehu called up to the window, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. "Throw her down!" Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot (2 Kings 9:32-33).

After Jehu had eaten a meal, he gave orders to bury Jezebel: "But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. They went back and told Jehu, who said, 'This is the word of the LORD that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh'" (2 Kings 9:35-36).

Just as God had predicted through Elijah, Jezebel met a gruesome end, and her body was eaten by dogs. Her death marked the end of Baal worship's official status in Israel and fulfilled God's promise of judgment.

What Can We Learn About Jezebel?

1. The danger of negative influence - Jezebel used her position and power to lead others away from God. As Biblestudytools.com points out, she influenced King Ahab to worship Baal and "sought to destroy those who questioned her." We should be careful about who influences us and be mindful of how we influence others.
2. Pride leads to destruction - Even in her final moments, Jezebel painted her eyes and arranged her hair, displaying her pride and refusal to humble herself. The Bible consistently warns that pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
3. God's justice will prevail - Though Jezebel seemed powerful and untouchable for many years, ultimately God's judgment came just as He had promised. No one escapes God's justice forever.
4. False worship has serious consequences - Jezebel's promotion of idol worship led to spiritual decline in Israel and brought God's judgment upon the nation. We should be careful to worship God alone and in the way He desires.

Why Jezebel’s Story Matters:

• God’s Justice: Jezebel’s life shows that no one can escape God’s judgment.
• Standing Up for Truth: Brave prophets like Elijah stood up to her evil ways.
• The Danger of Pride: Jezebel’s pride led to her downfall.

Fun Fact: Jezebel’s name means “where is the prince?” but she acted more like a tyrant than a princess!

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FAQ About Jezebel

Who was Jezebel's daughter in the Bible?

Jezebel had a daughter named Athaliah who became queen of Judah by marrying King Jehoram, King Jehoshaphat's son. Sadly, Athaliah followed in her mother's footsteps. After her son King Ahaziah died, she seized power by murdering all the royal heirs (her own grandchildren!) except for baby Joash, who was hidden. She ruled for six years before being overthrown and executed. Like her mother, Athaliah promoted Baal worship in Judah (2 Kings 11:1-16).

Who was Jezebel married to in the Bible?

Jezebel was married to King Ahab, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 874-853 BC. The Bible describes him as doing "more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him" (1 Kings 16:30). Their marriage was likely arranged as a political alliance between Israel and Phoenicia, but it had devastating spiritual consequences for Israel as Jezebel brought her pagan religious practices with her.

Who was Jezebel's father in the Bible?

Jezebel's father was Ethbaal (meaning "with Baal"), who was the king of Sidon, a major Phoenician city. According to 1 Kings 16:31, he was "king of the Sidonians." Historical records outside the Bible suggest he was a priest of Astarte who seized the throne of Tyre through murder and then ruled for 32 years. His name reflects his devotion to Baal, the false god that Jezebel would later promote in Israel.

Would you like to learn about another fascinating Bible story? Check out the story of Queen Esther, who used her royal position for good, unlike Jezebel, and saved God's people from destruction!