Illustration created for this project.
Jezebel
The Phoenician queen of Ahab who persecuted the prophets and engineered the death of Naboth.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Family & lineage
BibleA Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, given in marriage to Ahab of Israel.
1 Kings 16:31
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Ahab
Life, role & deeds
BibleShe established the worship of Baal in Israel and hunted down the prophets of the LORD; Elijah was her great adversary.
1 Kings 18:4–13
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Elijah
Death & legacy
BibleThrown from a window at Jezreel, she was trampled and devoured by dogs, exactly as Elijah had foretold.
2 Kings 9:30–37
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Jezreel
Name & titles
ArchaeologyAn ornate Phoenician-style seal inscribed 'YZBL' has been connected to her by some scholars, though the attribution is debated.
The so-called 'Jezebel seal', an opal/chalcedony scaraboid inscribed YZBL (Israel Museum / IAA); first published N. Avigad, 'The Seal of Jezebel', Israel Exploration Journal 14 (1964); royal-attribution argued by M.C.A. Korpel, 'Fit for a Queen: Jezebel's Royal Seal', Biblical Archaeology Review 34/2 (2008); identification debated.
Where in scripture
1 Kings2 KingsRevelation
1 Kings 16:311 Kings 18:41 Kings 18:131 Kings 18:191 Kings 19:11 Kings 19:21 Kings 21:252 Kings 9:72 Kings 9:102 Kings 9:222 Kings 9:302 Kings 9:332 Kings 9:362 Kings 9:37Revelation 2:20
Family
In their own words — 6 recorded sayings
“Then Jezebel sent a servant to Elijah, saying, May the gods' punishment be on me if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” — 1 Kings 19:2
“But Jezebel, his wife, came to him and said, Why is your spirit so bitter that you have no desire for food?” — 1 Kings 21:5
“Then Jezebel, his wife, said, Are you now the ruler of Israel? Get up, take food, and let your heart be glad; I will give you the vine-garden of Naboth the Jezreelite.” — 1 Kings 21:7
“And in the letter she said, Let a time of public sorrow be fixed, and put Naboth at the head of the people; And get two good-for-nothing persons to come before him and give witness that he has been cursing God and the king. Then take him out and have him stoned to death.” — 1 Kings 21:9-10
“Then Jezebel, hearing that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, said to Ahab, Get up and take as your heritage the vine-garden of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he would not give you for money, for Naboth is no longer living but is dead.” — 1 Kings 21:15
“And when Jehu was coming into the town, she said, Is all well, O Zimri, taker of your master's life?” — 2 Kings 9:31
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
