2 Kings 10:21

And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.

And Jehu {H3058} sent {H7971} through all Israel {H3478}: and all the worshippers {H5647} of Baal {H1168} came {H935}, so that there was not a man {H376} left {H7604} that came {H935} not. And they came {H935} into the house {H1004} of Baal {H1168}; and the house {H1004} of Baal {H1168} was full {H4390} from one end {H6310} to another {H6310}.

Yehu sent throughout all Isra'el, and all the worshippers of Ba'al came, so that there was not one man left that didn't come. They entered the temple of Ba'al, and the temple of Ba'al was filled from one end to the other.

Then Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; there was not a man who failed to show. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from end to end.

And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was filled from one end to another.

Commentary

2 Kings 10:21 describes the successful execution of Jehu's cunning plan to gather all the worshippers of Baal in Israel for a decisive act of judgment. This verse sets the stage for one of the most thorough purges of idolatry in the Old Testament.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative detailing Jehu's rise to power and his divinely appointed mission to eradicate the house of Ahab and the pervasive worship of Baal from Israel. Following his anointing by a prophet sent by Elisha (2 Kings 9:6) and the swift execution of King Joram and King Ahaziah, Jehu turns his attention to the idolatrous cult of Baal. He had already eliminated Ahab's 70 sons and Ahaziah's relatives. In the preceding verses (2 Kings 10:18-20), Jehu announces a "solemn assembly" for Baal, claiming he would outdo Ahab in devotion. This was a clever ruse to gather every adherent of the false god in one place, ensuring none escaped the impending judgment. The verse highlights the widespread influence of Baal worship, as virtually every worshipper attended.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: The primary theme is God's fierce intolerance for idolatry. Through Jehu, God executes the judgment prophesied against the house of Ahab for their promotion of Baal worship (1 Kings 21:21-26). The gathering of all Baal worshippers signifies the comprehensive nature of this divine purge.
  • Jehu's Zeal and Cunning: Jehu demonstrates remarkable zeal, albeit mixed with deception, in carrying out God's command. His strategy of feigning deeper devotion to Baal allowed him to consolidate all his enemies in one location, making the subsequent destruction highly effective.
  • The Pervasiveness of Baal Worship: The phrase "all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not" underscores how deeply entrenched and widespread Baal worship had become in Israel, a direct violation of the covenant with Yahweh.
  • Preparation for Purging: This verse serves as the critical setup for the systematic eradication of Baal worship described in the following verses (2 Kings 10:25-28), where Jehu orders the slaughter of all worshippers and the destruction of the house of Baal.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Baal" (Hebrew: Ba'al, Χ‘Φ·ΦΌΧ’Φ·Χœ) literally means "lord" or "master." It refers to the chief Canaanite deity associated with storms, fertility, and agriculture, whose worship often involved abhorrent practices such as child sacrifice and ritual prostitution. The "house of Baal" refers to a temple dedicated to this false god, likely a prominent structure in Samaria, the capital of Israel.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering opposition to idolatry in any form. While modern idolatry may not involve literal statues of Baal, it can manifest in anything that takes precedence over God in our livesβ€”money, power, possessions, or even self-worship. The thoroughness of Jehu's purge illustrates God's desire for His people to be wholly devoted to Him, free from spiritual compromise. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for anything that might compete for God's rightful place, encouraging a radical commitment to true worship.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 16:32

    And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

  • Revelation 16:16

    And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

  • Judges 16:27

    Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines [were] there; and [there were] upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

  • 2 Kings 11:18

    And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

  • Joel 3:2

    I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and [for] my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

  • Joel 3:11

    Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

  • Joel 3:14

    Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.
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