2 Kings

2 Kings 10:1–8

¹Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel,^a to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons^b of Ahab, saying: ²“When this letter arrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weaponry, ³select the best and most worthy son of your master, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.”

⁴But they were terrified and reasoned, “If two kings could not stand against him, how can we?”

⁵So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”

⁶Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.”

Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. ⁷And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

⁸When the messenger arrived, he told Jehu, “They have brought the heads of the sons of the king.”

And Jehu ordered, “Pile them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”

Footnotes

a 10:1 Hebrew; LXX and Vulgate officials of the city
b 10:1 Hebrew does not include of the sons.

Read all of 2 Kings 10

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

2 Kings 10:1

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Now Ahab	וּלְאַחְאָ֛ב	ū·lə·’aḥ·’āḇ	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H256 Ahab
had seventy	שִׁבְעִ֥ים	šiḇ·‘îm	Number - common plural	H7657 seventy
sons	בָּנִ֖ים	bā·nîm	Noun - masculine plural	H1121 son
in Samaria	בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן	bə·šō·mə·rō·wn	Preposition-b; Noun - proper - feminine singular	H8111 Shomeron
So Jehu	יֵה֨וּא	yê·hū	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3058 Jehu
wrote	וַיִּכְתֹּב֩	way·yiḵ·tōḇ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3789 write
letters	סְפָרִ֜ים	sə·p̄ā·rîm	Noun - masculine plural	H5612 missive, document, writing, book
and sent them	וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח	way·yiš·laḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7971 send
to Samaria	שֹׁמְר֗וֹן	šō·mə·rō·wn	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H8111 Shomeron
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
the officials	שָׂרֵ֤י	śā·rê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
of Jezreel	יִזְרְעֶאל֙	yiz·rə·‘el	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H3157 Jizreel
to the elders	הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים	haz·zə·qê·nîm	Article; Adjective - masculine plural	H2205 old
and to	וְאֶל־	wə·’el-	Conjunctive waw; Preposition	H413 motion to
the guardians	הָאֹמְנִ֥ים	hā·’ō·mə·nîm	Article; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural	H539 confirm, support
of Ahab	אַחְאָ֖ב	’aḥ·’āḇ	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H256 Ahab
saying	לֵאמֹֽר׃	lê·mōr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H559 utter, say

2 Kings 10:2

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
When this	הַזֶּה֙	haz·zeh	Article; Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
letter	הַסֵּ֤פֶר	has·sê·p̄er	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5612 missive, document, writing, book
arrives	כְּבֹ֨א	kə·ḇō	Preposition-k; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H935 come in, come, go in, go
since	וְעַתָּ֗ה	wə·‘at·tāh	Conjunctive waw; Adverb	H6258 now
your master’s	אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם	’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H113 lord
sons	בְּנֵ֣י	bə·nê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
are with you	וְאִתְּכֶ֖ם	wə·’it·tə·ḵem	Conjunctive waw; Preposition; second person masculine plural	H854 with
and you have	וְאִתְּכֶם֙	wə·’it·tə·ḵem	Conjunctive waw; Preposition; second person masculine plural	H854 with
chariots	הָרֶ֣כֶב	hā·re·ḵeḇ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H7393 chariotry, chariot, mill-stone
and horses	וְהַסּוּסִ֔ים	wə·has·sū·sîm	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine plural	H5483 swallow or swift
a fortified	מִבְצָ֖ר	miḇ·ṣār	Noun - masculine singular	H4013 fortification
city	וְעִ֥יר	wə·‘îr	Conjunctive waw; Noun - feminine singular	H5892 excitement
and weaponry	וְהַנָּֽשֶׁק׃	wə·han·nā·šeq	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5402 equipment, weapons

2 Kings 10:3

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
select	וּרְאִיתֶ֞ם	ū·rə·’î·ṯem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H7200 see
the best	הַטּ֤וֹב	haṭ·ṭō·wḇ	Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
and most worthy	וְהַיָּשָׁר֙	wə·hay·yā·šār	Conjunctive waw, Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H3477 straight, right
son	מִבְּנֵ֣י	mib·bə·nê	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of your master	אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם	’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H113 lord
set him	וְשַׂמְתֶּ֖ם	wə·śam·tem	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural	H7760 put, place, set
on	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
his father’s	אָבִ֑יו	’ā·ḇîw	Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H1 father
throne	כִּסֵּ֣א	kis·sê	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3678 seat
and fight	וְהִֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ	wə·hil·lā·ḥă·mū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural	H3898 fight, do battle
for	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
your master’s	אֲדֹנֵיכֶֽם׃	’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H113 lord
house	בֵּ֥ית	bêṯ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H1004 house

2 Kings 10:4

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But they were terrified	וַיִּֽרְאוּ֙	way·yir·’ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H3372 fear
and reasoned	וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ	way·yō·mə·rū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H559 utter, say
If	הִנֵּה֙	hin·nêh	Interjection	H2009 lo! behold!
two	שְׁנֵ֣י	šə·nê	Number - masculine dual construct	H8147 two
kings	הַמְּלָכִ֔ים	ham·mə·lā·ḵîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H4428 king
could not	לֹ֥א	lō	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
stand	עָמְד֖וּ	‘ā·mə·ḏū	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural	H5975 take one's stand, stand
against him	לְפָנָ֑יו	lə·p̄ā·nāw	Preposition-l; Noun - common plural construct; third person masculine singular	H6440 face, before
how	וְאֵ֖יךְ	wə·’êḵ	Conjunctive waw; Interjection	H349 How?
can we	אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃	’ă·nā·ḥə·nū	Pronoun - first person common plural	H587 we

2 Kings 10:5

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So the palace	הַבַּ֣יִת	hab·ba·yiṯ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H1004 house
administrator	אֲשֶׁר־	’ă·šer-	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
the overseer	וַאֲשֶׁ֪ר	wa·’ă·šer	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
of the city	הָעִ֟יר	hā·‘îr	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H5892 excitement
the elders	וְהַזְּקֵנִים֩	wə·haz·zə·qê·nîm	Conjunctive waw, Article; Adjective - masculine plural	H2205 old
and the guardians	וְהָאֹמְנִ֨ים	wə·hā·’ō·mə·nîm	Conjunctive waw, Article; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural	H539 confirm, support
sent	וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח	way·yiš·laḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7971 send
a message to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Jehu	יֵה֤וּא׀	yê·hū	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3058 Jehu
We	אֲנַ֔חְנוּ	’ă·naḥ·nū	Pronoun - first person common plural	H587 we
are your servants	עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ	‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine singular	H5650 slave, servant
and we will do	נַעֲשֶׂ֑ה	na·‘ă·śeh	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural	H6213 do, make
whatever	וְכֹ֛ל	wə·ḵōl	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular	H3605 the whole, all
you say	תֹּאמַ֥ר	tō·mar	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
We will not	לֹֽא־	lō-	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
make anyone	אִ֔ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
king	נַמְלִ֣יךְ	nam·lîḵ	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural	H4427 be or become king, or queen, reign
Do	עֲשֵֽׂה׃	‘ă·śêh	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H6213 do, make
good	הַטּ֥וֹב	haṭ·ṭō·wḇ	Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
in your sight	בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ	bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā	Preposition-b; Noun - cdc; second person masculine singular	H5869 eye

2 Kings 10:6

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then Jehu wrote	וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב	way·yiḵ·tōḇ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3789 write
them	אֲלֵיהֶם֩	’ă·lê·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural	H413 motion to
a second	שֵׁנִ֜ית	šê·nîṯ	Number - ordinal feminine singular	H8145 second
letter	סֵ֨פֶר׀	sê·p̄er	Noun - masculine singular	H5612 missive, document, writing, book
and said	לֵאמֹ֗ר	lê·mōr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H559 utter, say
If	אִם־	’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
you are on my side	אַתֶּ֜ם	’at·tem	Pronoun - second person masculine plural	H859 thou
and if you	אַתֶּ֣ם	’at·tem	Pronoun - second person masculine plural	H859 thou
will obey me	שֹׁמְעִ֗ים	šō·mə·‘îm	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural	H8085 hear
then bring	קְחוּ֙	qə·ḥū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H3947 take
the heads	רָאשֵׁי֙	rā·šê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H7218 head
of your master’s	אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם	’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H113 lord
sons	בְנֵֽי־	ḇə·nê-	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
to me	אֶת־	’eṯ-	Direct object marker	H853 mark of the accusative
at Jezreel	יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה	yiz·rə·‘e·lāh	Noun - proper - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H3157 Jizreel
by this time	כָּעֵ֥ת	kā·‘êṯ	Preposition-k, Article; Noun - common singular	H6256 time
tomorrow	מָחָ֖ר	mā·ḥār	Adverb	H4279 tomorrow, in time to come
Now the sons	וּבְנֵ֤י	ū·ḇə·nê	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of the king	הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙	ham·me·leḵ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4428 king
seventy	שִׁבְעִ֣ים	šiḇ·‘îm	Number - common plural	H7657 seventy
in all	אִ֔ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
were being brought up	מְגַדְּלִ֥ים	mə·ḡad·də·lîm	Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural	H1431 grow up, become great
by the leading men	גְּדֹלֵ֥י	gə·ḏō·lê	Adjective - masculine plural construct	H1419 great
of the city	הָעִ֖יר	hā·‘îr	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H5892 excitement

2 Kings 10:7

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	וַיְהִ֗י	way·hî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
when the letter	הַסֵּ֙פֶר֙	has·sê·p̄er	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5612 missive, document, writing, book
arrived	כְּבֹ֤א	kə·ḇō	Preposition-k; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H935 come in, come, go in, go
they took	וַיִּקְחוּ֙	way·yiq·ḥū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H3947 take
the sons	בְּנֵ֣י	bə·nê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of the king	הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ	ham·me·leḵ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4428 king
and slaughtered	וַֽיִּשְׁחֲט֖וּ	way·yiš·ḥă·ṭū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H7819 slaughter, beat
all seventy	שִׁבְעִ֣ים	šiḇ·‘îm	Number - common plural	H7657 seventy
of them	אִ֑ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular	H376 man
They put	וַיָּשִׂ֤ימוּ	way·yā·śî·mū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H7760 put, place, set
their heads	רָֽאשֵׁיהֶם֙	rā·šê·hem	Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine plural	H7218 head
in baskets	בַּדּוּדִ֔ים	bad·dū·ḏîm	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine plural	H1731 pot, jar
and sent them	וַיִּשְׁלְח֥וּ	way·yiš·lə·ḥū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H7971 send
to Jehu	אֵלָ֖יו	’ê·lāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H413 motion to
at Jezreel	יִזְרְעֶֽאלָה׃	yiz·rə·‘e·lāh	Noun - proper - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H3157 Jizreel

2 Kings 10:8

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
When the messenger	הַמַּלְאָךְ֙	ham·mal·’āḵ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4397 messenger
arrived	וַיָּבֹ֤א	way·yā·ḇō	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
he told	וַיַּגֶּד־	way·yag·geḏ-	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5046 be conspicuous
They have brought	הֵבִ֖יאוּ	hê·ḇî·’ū	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural	H935 come in, come, go in, go
the heads	רָאשֵׁ֣י	rā·šê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H7218 head
of the sons	בְנֵֽי־	ḇə·nê-	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of the king	הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ	ham·me·leḵ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4428 king
And	לֵאמֹ֔ר	lê·mōr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H559 utter, say
Pile	שִׂ֣ימוּ	śî·mū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H7760 put, place, set
them	אֹתָ֞ם	’ō·ṯām	Direct object marker; third person masculine plural	H853 mark of the accusative
in two	שְׁנֵ֧י	šə·nê	Number - masculine dual construct	H8147 two
heaps	צִבֻּרִ֛ים	ṣib·bu·rîm	Noun - masculine plural	H6652 heap
at the entrance	פֶּ֥תַח	pe·ṯaḥ	Noun - masculine singular construct	H6607 opening, doorway, entrance
of the gate	הַשַּׁ֖עַר	haš·ša·‘ar	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H8179 gate
until	עַד־	‘aḏ-	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
morning	הַבֹּֽקֶר׃	hab·bō·qer	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H1242 morning