2 Kings 10:25

KJV

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast [them] out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end {H3615} of offering {H6213} the burnt offering {H5930}, that Jehu {H3058} said {H559} to the guard {H7323} and to the captains {H7991}, Go in {H935}, and slay {H5221} them; let none {H376} come forth {H3318}. And they smote {H5221} them with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}; and the guard {H7323} and the captains {H7991} cast them out {H7993}, and went {H3212} to the city {H5892} of the house {H1004} of Baal {H1168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Yehu said to the guards and officers, "Go in, and kill them; don't let one of them get out." So they killed them with the sword; then, after the guards and officers had thrown their bodies outside, they went into the temple of Ba'al's inner shrine,

Berean Standard Bible

When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.” So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks the chilling climax of Jehu's meticulously planned purge of Baal worship in Israel. Following a deceptive assembly where Baal worshippers believed they were participating in a grand sacrifice, Jehu, having completed his feigned burnt offering, commanded his elite guard and captains to enter the temple and execute every individual present, ensuring no one escaped. The command was immediately and ruthlessly carried out, resulting in the complete slaughter of the Baal adherents, whose bodies were then cast out of the temple, signaling the utter defilement and eradication of this idolatrous cult from the heart of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jehu’s divinely mandated purge of the house of Ahab and the eradication of Baal worship in Israel, as prophesied by Elijah and Elisha (e.g., [1 Kings 19:16-17](/1_kings/19-16 "1 Kings 19:16-17 - Elisha Anointed; Hazael and Jehu Prophesied")). Jehu has already executed King Joram ([2 Kings 9:24](/2_kings/9-24 "2 Kings 9:24 - Joram's Death")), King Ahaziah ([2 Kings 9:27](/2_kings/9-27 "2 Kings 9:27 - Ahaziah's Death")), Jezebel ([2 Kings 9:30-37](/2_kings/9-30 "2 Kings 9:30-37 - Jezebel's Death")), the seventy sons of Ahab ([2 Kings 10:1-8](/2_kings/10-1 "2 Kings 10:1-8 - Ahab's Sons Killed")), and forty-two relatives of Ahaziah ([2 Kings 10:12-14](/2_kings/10-12 "2 Kings 10:12-14 - Ahaziah's Relatives Killed")). The present passage represents the culmination of his campaign against Baal worship itself, which he initiated through a cunning deception, gathering all Baal worshippers to a "great sacrifice" for Baal, under threat of death for non-attendance ([2 Kings 10:18-24](/2_kings/10-18 "2 Kings 10:18-24 - Jehu's Deception to Gather Baal Worshippers")). The verse immediately precedes the destruction of the temple of Baal and the complete eradication of its cult, marking a decisive turning point in Israel's religious landscape.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Baal worship, particularly under Ahab and Jezebel, had become the state religion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deeply entrenched in society and actively promoted by the monarchy ([1 Kings 16:31-33](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31-33 - Ahab Promotes Baal Worship")). Baal was a Canaanite storm and fertility god, and his worship involved elaborate rituals, including sacrifices, cultic prostitution, and sometimes child sacrifice, all anathema to Yahwism. The "house of Baal" refers to a dedicated temple, likely in Samaria, built for this widespread idolatry. Jehu’s actions, though brutal by modern standards, reflect the severity of divine judgment against apostasy in the ancient Near East, where religious purity was often enforced by violent means, and the complete destruction of enemy cults was a common practice. The use of a "burnt offering" as a ruse highlights Jehu's calculated deception, exploiting the religious fervor of the Baal worshippers to gather them for their ultimate demise, a stark contrast to the true burnt offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law, which symbolized complete devotion to Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of 2 Kings and the Deuteronomistic history. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment on Idolatry**, demonstrating God's absolute intolerance for the worship of false gods, which directly violates the first commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). Jehu acts as an instrument of this judgment, fulfilling specific prophetic pronouncements against Ahab's house and Baal worship ([1 Kings 21:20-24](/1_kings/21-20 "1 Kings 21:20-24 - Elijah's Prophecy Against Ahab")). Another significant theme is **Zeal for God**, as Jehu exhibits an intense, albeit ruthless and deceptive, commitment to eradicating what God abhors. While Jehu's methods are extreme, the narrative presents his actions against Baal as divinely sanctioned and even commended in part ([2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Commendation of Jehu")). The passage also underscores the theme of **Thoroughness and Completeness** in divine judgment, as Jehu's command "let none come forth" and the subsequent casting out of bodies emphasize the total annihilation of the Baal cult within the temple, paving the way for its complete destruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **burnt offering (עֹלָה, _‘ōlāh_):** This Hebrew term refers to a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement. In this context, its use is deeply ironic. Jehu is not offering a genuine sacrifice to Yahweh, nor is he truly honoring Baal. Instead, he uses the sacred ritual of a "burnt offering" as a calculated ruse, a final act of deception to lull the Baal worshippers into a false sense of security before their slaughter. This perversion of a religious act underscores the depth of Jehu's cunning and the severity of the judgment about to be unleashed.
* **guard (רָצִים, _ratsim_):** Literally meaning "runners," this term often refers to the king's elite personal guard or couriers, known for their swiftness and unwavering loyalty. These were not ordinary soldiers but trusted royal personnel, implying that Jehu's orders were executed by his most reliable and ruthless enforcers. Their presence and immediate obedience highlight Jehu's absolute authority and the precision of his purge.
* **edge of the sword (לְפִי חֶרֶב, _le-pī ḥerev_):** This idiomatic Hebrew phrase literally translates to "by the mouth of the sword." It is a common biblical expression signifying utter destruction, a merciless and comprehensive slaughter. It emphasizes that the killing was not merely a battle but an execution, a complete putting to death without quarter, reinforcing the thoroughness of Jehu's purge.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering":** This clause emphasizes the precise timing of Jehu's command. The "burnt offering" was the final act of the deceptive ritual, the signal that all Baal worshippers were gathered, identified, and fully engaged in their idolatrous worship. The completion of this feigned sacred act marks the transition from cunning deception to brutal execution, highlighting Jehu's calculated patience and strategic timing.
* **"that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth.":** This is Jehu's direct, unequivocal command. He addresses his most trusted and capable military personnel—the "guard" (royal elite) and "captains" (military leaders)—indicating a pre-planned operation. The imperative "Go in, [and] slay them" is a direct order for mass execution. The subsequent "let none come forth" underscores the absolute thoroughness required; no worshipper was to escape, ensuring the complete eradication of the cult's adherents. This command reflects the uncompromising nature of the divine judgment Jehu was enacting.
* **"And they smote them with the edge of the sword;":** This clause describes the immediate and violent execution of Jehu's command. The phrase "smote them with the edge of the sword" signifies a comprehensive and merciless slaughter, leaving no survivors. It conveys the brutal reality of the purge, emphasizing the swiftness and totality of the destruction meted out to the Baal worshippers.
* **"and the guard and the captains cast [them] out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.":** Following the slaughter, the bodies were "cast out," a symbolic act of defilement and desecration. This act further emphasizes the complete rejection and utter contempt for the Baal cult and its adherents. The subsequent action of "went to the city of the house of Baal" indicates that the purge was not confined to the temple interior but extended to the entire precinct or even the city where the temple was located, ensuring no remnants of the cult remained. This sets the stage for the temple's physical destruction mentioned in the following verses.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity and brutality of the event. **Irony** is prominent, as Jehu uses the very ritual of a "burnt offering" to Baal, a sacred act in the eyes of the worshippers, as the trigger for their annihilation. This subversion of religious ceremony into a trap highlights Jehu's cunning and the ultimate futility of false worship. **Hyperbole** is implied in the command "let none come forth," emphasizing the extreme thoroughness and uncompromising nature of the purge, leaving no room for escape or survival. The vivid **Imagery** of the "edge of the sword" and the subsequent "casting out" of bodies creates a stark and visceral picture of the violence and defilement, underscoring the complete destruction of the Baal cult. Furthermore, the passage serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as the immediate slaughter within the temple sets the stage for the complete dismantling and desecration of the temple of Baal itself in the verses that follow, signifying the end of state-sponsored idolatry in Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering holiness and His absolute intolerance for idolatry. The severity of the judgment against the Baal worshippers underscores the gravity with which God views the worship of false gods, which is a direct affront to His unique sovereignty and a betrayal of the covenant relationship. While Jehu's methods are undeniably brutal, the narrative presents this event as the divinely ordained fulfillment of prophecy and a necessary act to cleanse Israel of its deep-seated apostasy. It highlights that God, in His justice, will not tolerate rivals for His glory and will act decisively to vindicate His name and restore purity among His people. This historical account, though set in a different covenantal context, points to the enduring principle that true worship demands exclusive devotion to the one true God, and any form of idolatry, whether ancient or modern, incurs divine displeasure.

* [Deuteronomy 13:12-18](/deuteronomy/13-12 "Dealing with Idolatrous Cities")
* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "The First Commandment")
* [1 Kings 18:40](/1_kings/18-40 "Elijah's Slaughter of Baal Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jehu's purge, particularly the slaughter within the temple of Baal, is undeniably unsettling due to its extreme violence. However, for the believer today, it serves as a powerful, albeit challenging, illustration of God's uncompromising opposition to idolatry and His demand for exclusive devotion. While the methods of the Old Testament era are not to be replicated in the New Covenant, the underlying principle of spiritual purity remains paramount. We are called to identify and ruthlessly "slay" the "idols" in our own lives—anything that competes for God's rightful place in our hearts, whether it be wealth, power, relationships, self-image, or even spiritual practices that become ends in themselves. This passage compels us to examine our allegiances and ensure that our worship is directed solely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, demonstrating a zeal for His glory that purges all competing affections. It reminds us that true spiritual transformation often requires decisive and thorough action against entrenched patterns of sin and misplaced devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of "Baal worship" or idolatry might exist in my life or culture today, subtly or overtly competing for my ultimate allegiance?**
* **How can I cultivate a "zeal for God" that is passionate and uncompromising, yet expressed in ways consistent with the New Covenant's call to love and grace?**
* **In what areas of my spiritual life do I need to apply the principle of "thoroughness," ensuring no "idols" are allowed to "come forth" or remain?**
* **How does the discomfort of this text challenge my understanding of God's justice and holiness, and what does it teach me about the seriousness of sin?**

### FAQ

**Was Jehu's deception and violence justified by God?**

Answer: The biblical narrative presents Jehu's actions, including his deception and violence, as the fulfillment of God's prophetic word against the house of Ahab and the eradication of Baal worship. [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "2 Kings 10:30 - God's Approval of Jehu's Actions") explicitly states that the Lord commended Jehu for doing "what was right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart." This indicates divine approval for the *outcome*—the destruction of Baal worship—even if the *methods* employed by Jehu (deception, extreme violence) are not necessarily presented as models for all believers in all times. The text focuses on God's sovereign use of an imperfect human agent to accomplish His purposes of judgment against profound apostasy, rather than endorsing deception or indiscriminate violence as general principles for righteous conduct. The narrative highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His intolerance for idolatry, which had deeply corrupted Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 10:25 depicts a physical, violent purge of idolatry in ancient Israel, its theological trajectory finds a profound and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jehu's "zeal" for Yahweh, though expressed through the sword, foreshadows the ultimate zeal of Christ, who came not to destroy human lives but to destroy the works of the devil and cleanse hearts from spiritual idolatry. Jesus, the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), entered the physical temple in Jerusalem and, with righteous indignation, purged it of those who had turned it into a "den of robbers" ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), demonstrating His authority and passion for God's house. More profoundly, Christ's work on the cross is the ultimate "burnt offering," a perfect and complete sacrifice that cleanses us from all sin and idolatry, not through the shedding of others' blood by the sword, but through the shedding of His own precious blood ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")). He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making a final, decisive end to the power of sin and false gods. For believers, the call to "slay" idolatry is now a spiritual one: to "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). Through Christ, we are empowered by the Spirit to thoroughly cleanse our hearts, casting out every rival to God's throne, ensuring that our devotion is exclusively to Him, the one true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ ([1 John 5:21](/1_john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Keep Yourselves from Idols")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Revelation 16:7

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.

1 Kings 18:40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Ezekiel 22:21

Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof.

Ezekiel 22:22

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.

Ezekiel 9:5

¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Ezekiel 9:7

And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.