King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Thus Yehu rid Isra'el of Ba'al.
Berean Standard Bible:
Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel,
American Standard Version:
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thus Jehu{H3058} destroyed{H8045} Baal{H1168} out of Israel{H3478}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Kings 10:28
2 Kings 10:28 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the religious history of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. The verse states, "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." This action is part of a broader narrative where Jehu, who had been anointed king of Israel by the prophet Elisha through a messenger, embarks on a campaign to eradicate the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity.
The historical context of this verse is set during the divided monarchy period, after the reign of Solomon, when the kingdom had split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Jehu's rise to power is marked by a violent purge, not only of King Joram (also known as Jehoram) of Israel but also of the royal houses of both Israel and Judah, as well as the prophets and priests associated with Baal worship.
The themes present in this verse include religious reform and the struggle against idolatry, which were central concerns in the Deuteronomistic History—a series of books in the Old Testament (Joshua through Kings) that reflect on the history of Israel from the perspective of the covenant theology of Deuteronomy. Jehu's actions are portrayed as a fulfillment of the divine command to eliminate the worship of Baal and to uphold the exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
However, while Jehu is commended for destroying Baal worship, the biblical narrative also criticizes him for not turning away from the sins of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, who had set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan for the people to worship. This highlights the complexity of Jehu's reign and the religious dynamics of the time—while he took significant steps against Baal worship, he did not fully embrace the religious reforms that would align Israel with the worship practices prescribed in the Torah.
In summary, 2 Kings 10:28 encapsulates Jehu's radical attempt to purge Israel of Baal worship, reflecting the broader biblical theme of maintaining religious purity and loyalty to Yahweh. It underscores the tension between the worship of Yahweh and the syncretistic practices that were prevalent in the northern kingdom, and it serves as a commentary on the challenges of religious leadership and reform in ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3058
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵהוּא
Transliteration: Yêhûwʼ
Pronunciation: yay-hoo'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and הוּא; Jehovah (is) He; Jehu, the name of five Israelites; Jehu. - Strong's Number: H8045
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַד
Transliteration: shâmad
Pronunciation: shaw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to desolate; destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H1168
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּעַל
Transliteration: Baʻal
Pronunciation: bah'-al
Description: the same as בַּעַל; Baal, a Phoenician deity; Baal, (plural) Baalim. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.