Jezebel is one of the most notorious figures in the Bible known for her role as the wife of King Ahab who ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 9th century B.C her story is primarily found in the books of one Kings and two kings in the Old Testament Jezebel is often remembered for her idolatry manipulation and opposition to the worship of Yahweh the god of Israel background and marriage to Ahab Jezebel was the daughter of ethal King of the sidonians and was likely a priestess of Bal a prominent Canaanite deity her marriage to Ahab
was likely a political Alliance typical of the time aimed at strengthening ties between Israel and Phoenicia however Jezebel brought with her the worship of Bal and asherah which had devastating consequences for Israel promotion of idolatry one of Jezebel's most significant actions was her aggressive promotion of Baal Worship in Israel she persuaded Ahab to build a temple and an altar for B Al in Aria the capital of Israel leading the nation into idolatry this act of introducing foreign Gods was seen as a direct challenge to the worship of Yahweh and angered the prophets of Israel particularly
Elijah persecution of prophets Jezebel's influence extended Beyond religious practices she actively sought to eliminate the worship of Yahweh she ordered the massacre of many of yahweh's prophets replacing them with prophets of bay AAL and asherah this persecution was part of her broader plan to establish Bal worship as the official religion of Israel further eroding the nation's Covenant with God conflict with Elijah the Prophet Elijah became Jezebel's most prominent opponent in one of the most dramatic episodes in the Bible Elijah challenged 450 prophets of bayel to a contest on Mount Carmel to demonstrate whose God was
real Yahweh answered Elijah's prayers with fire from heaven while B's prophets failed after this Victory Elijah ordered the execution of the prophets of be Al enraging Jezebel who vowed to kill him Elijah fled for his life and Jezebel's threat marked her as a formidable and ruthless enemy of yahweh's prophets naboth's Vineyard Jezebel's cruelty is further exemplified in the story of naboth's Vineyard one Kings 21 King Ahab desired The Vineyard of naboth a man from jezrael but naboth refused to sell it because it was his family's inheritance Jezebel seeing ahab's distress devised a plan to seize
the vineyard she orchestrated a false accusation of blasphemy against naboth leading to his execution by stoning after naboth's death Ahab took possession of the vineyard this act of Injustice and murder further solidified Jezebel's reputation as a wicked Queen downfall and death Jezebel's downfall came as a fulfillment of Prophecy Elijah foretold that dogs would devour her flesh by the wall of Jezreel this prophecy was fulfilled during the reign of jiu a commander of Israel's Army who led a revolt against ahab's house when jiu came to jezrael Jezebel confronted him from a window but he ordered her
to be thrown down she was trampled underfoot and dogs ate her body leaving only her skull feet and hands as prophesied Jezebel's Legacy is one of infamy her name became synonymous with wickedness idolatry and manipulation in the New Testament the name Jezebel is used as a symbol of immorality and false teaching Revelation 2:20 her story serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of idolatry corruption and turning away from God's commands
