Jezebel
The Queen Who Corrupted Israel
Name Information
- Meaning: "Where is the prince?" (a ritual cry in Baal worship)
- Language of Origin: Phoenician
- Gender Usage: Feminine
Jezebel was a Phoenician princess and the wife of King Ahab. She aggressively promoted Baal worship in Israel, persecuted God’s prophets, and manipulated power for evil ends. Her influence was toxic and far-reaching. Jezebel’s life ended in violent judgment, just as Elijah had prophesied, and her name became synonymous with idolatry, immorality, and spiritual corruption throughout Scripture.
⏰ Divided Kingdom (Northern Israel)
Roles
- Queen of Israel
- Baal Worshiper
- Persecutor of Prophets
Relationships
- Father: Ethbaal, king of Sidon
- Husband: Ahab
- Children: Ahaziah, Jehoram, Athaliah
- Enemy: Elijah, Jehu
Story
Jezebel married Ahab and quickly worked to replace worship of the Lord with Baal.
She ordered the murder of God's prophets, though Obadiah hid 100 of them.
She threatened Elijah after Mount Carmel, leading him to flee in fear.
She falsely accused Naboth and had him executed so Ahab could seize his land.
Later, Jehu confronted her, and she was thrown from the palace window and devoured by dogs — just as prophesied.
Spiritual Significance
- Jezebel imported Baal worship into Israel and killed God’s prophets.
- She orchestrated Naboth’s death to steal his vineyard for Ahab.
- She heavily influenced Ahab’s evil reign and symbolized spiritual adultery.
- Elijah prophesied her violent death — she was thrown from a window, trampled, and eaten by dogs.
- Her name is later used symbolically in Revelation for false teaching and spiritual seduction.
What We Can Learn
- Ungodly influence can corrupt leaders and entire nations.
- God sees injustice — Jezebel’s crimes did not go unpunished.
- Power used for evil will face God’s judgment, no matter how strong it seems.
- The spirit of Jezebel continues wherever truth is replaced with idolatry and control.
Memory Verses
But there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do wickedness... whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
— 1 Kings 21:25The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
— 1 Kings 21:23
Key Passages
- 1 Kings 16–21
- 2 Kings 9
- Revelation 2:20
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