2 Kings 10:24
New International Version
So they went in to make sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had posted eighty men outside with this warning: “If one of you lets any of the men I am placing in your hands escape, it will be your life for his life.”

New Living Translation
So they were all inside the temple to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside the building and had warned them, “If you let anyone escape, you will pay for it with your own life.”

English Standard Version
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said, “The man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life.”

Berean Standard Bible
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.”

King James Bible
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

New King James Version
So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed for himself eighty men on the outside, and had said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escapes, whoever lets him escape, it shall be his life for the life of the other.”

New American Standard Bible
Then they entered to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who allows any of the men whom I bring into your hands to escape shall give up his life in exchange.”

NASB 1995
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who permits any of the men whom I bring into your hands to escape shall give up his life in exchange.”

NASB 1977
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who permits any of the men whom I bring into your hands to escape, shall give up his life in exchange.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they came in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had placed for himself eighty men outside, and he had said, “The one who permits any of the men whom I cause to come into your hands to escape, shall give up his life in exchange.”

Amplified Bible
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside for himself and said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, the one who lets him go shall forfeit his own life for that man’s life.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside, and he warned them, “Whoever allows any of the men I am placing in your hands to escape will forfeit his life for theirs.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed 80 men outside, and he warned them, “Whoever allows any of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape will forfeit his life for theirs.”

American Standard Version
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

Contemporary English Version
Then they began to offer sacrifices to Baal. Earlier, Jehu had ordered 80 soldiers to wait outside the temple. He had warned them, "I will get all these worshipers here, and if any of you let even one of them escape, you will be killed instead!"

English Revised Version
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. But Jehu had stationed 80 of his men outside. He said [to them], "If any of the people I'm putting in your hands escape, you will pay for their lives with yours."

Good News Translation
Then he and Jonadab went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to Baal. He had stationed eighty men outside the temple and had instructed them: "You are to kill all these people; anyone who lets one of them escape will pay for it with his life!"

International Standard Version
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Meanwhile, Jehu had stationed 80 men outside, ordering them, "If any of these men whom I've brought into your control escape, the one who allows it will forfeit his life."

Majority Standard Bible
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, ?If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.?

NET Bible
They went inside to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside. He had told them, "If any of the men inside get away, you will pay with your lives!"

New Heart English Bible
They went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him eighty men outside, and said, "If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he who lets him go, his life shall be for the life of him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings, Jehu appointed eighty men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

World English Bible
So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had appointed for himself eighty men outside, and said, “If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, he who lets him go, his life shall be for the life of him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they come in to make sacrifices and burnt-offerings, and Jehu has set eighty men for himself in an out-place, and says, “The man who lets [any] of the men whom I am bringing into your hand escape—his soul for his soul.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they come in to make sacrifices and burnt-offerings, and Jehu hath set for himself in an out-place eighty men, and saith, 'The man who letteth escape any of the men whom I am bringing in unto your hand -- his soul for his soul.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will go in to do sacrifices and burnt-offerings, and Jehu set to him without, eighty men; and he will say, The man who shall escape from these men which I bring upon your hands, his soul instead of his soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings: but Jehu had prepared him fourscore men without, and said to them: If any of the men escape, whom I have brought into your hands, he that letteth him go shall answer life for life.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then they entered, so that they might offer victims and holocausts. But Jehu had prepared for himself eighty men outside. And he had said to them, “If anyone escapes from among these men, whom I have led into your hands, your life will take the place of his life.”

New American Bible
Then they proceeded to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty troops outside with this warning, “Any of you who lets someone escape of those whom I shall deliver into your hands shall pay life for life.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then they proceeded to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside, saying, “Whoever allows any of those to escape whom I deliver into your hands shall forfeit his life.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu had posted three hundred and eighty men outside by the door, and said, If any of the men whom I have delivered into your hands escape, his life shall be for the life of him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they entered to make sacrifices and offerings, and Yehu stationed for himself on the outside three hundred and eighty men, and he said: “A man who escapes of the men whom I deliver to you, his life shall be in the place of his life!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said: 'If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, his life shall be for the life of him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he went in to offer sacrifices and whole-burnt-offerings; and Ju set for himself eighty men without, and said, Every man who shall escape of the men whom I bring into your hand, the life of him that spares him shall go for his life.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jehu Kills the Priests of Baal
23Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.” 24And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.” 25When 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.…

Cross References
1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.

2 Chronicles 23:17
So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Exodus 32:27-28
He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead.

Deuteronomy 13:9-10
Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people. / Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Joshua 6:21
With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

Judges 6:25-27
On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. / Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” / So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime.

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

1 Kings 18:4
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

2 Kings 11:18
So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 34:4-5
Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.

Matthew 21:12-13
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 11:15-17
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Luke 19:45-46
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. / He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

John 2:14-16
In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. / So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. / To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Acts 19:19
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.


Treasury of Scripture

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that lets him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

If any of them

1 Kings 20:30-42
But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber…

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Allows Appointed Burnt Eighty Escape Forfeit Fourscore Hands Jehu Lets Offer Offerings Outside Permits Posted Sacrifices Stationed
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Allows Appointed Burnt Eighty Escape Forfeit Fourscore Hands Jehu Lets Offer Offerings Outside Permits Posted Sacrifices Stationed
2 Kings 10
1. Jehu, by his letters, causes seventy of Ahab's sons to be beheaded
8. He excuses the fact by the prophecy of Elijah
12. At the shearing house he slays forty-two of Ahaziah's brothers
15. He takes Jehonadab into his company
18. By subtilty he destroys all the worshippers of Baal
29. Jehu follows Jeroboam's sins
32. Hazael oppresses Israel
34. Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu














Then they went in
This phrase marks a decisive action taken by Jehu and his men. The Hebrew root for "went in" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which often signifies entering with purpose or intent. In the context of Jehu's mission, this entry is not just physical but also symbolic of a divine mandate to cleanse Israel of Baal worship. Historically, this reflects the zeal and determination of Jehu to fulfill God's command, as seen in earlier chapters where he is anointed king with the specific task of eradicating idolatry.

to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings
The act of offering sacrifices and burnt offerings was central to worship in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for "sacrifices" is "זֶבַח" (zevach), and "burnt offerings" is "עוֹלָה" (olah). These offerings were meant to atone for sin and express devotion to God. However, in this context, the offerings are part of a deceptive plan to gather the prophets of Baal. This highlights the contrast between true worship of Yahweh and the false worship of Baal, which Jehu is set to destroy.

Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside
Jehu's strategic placement of eighty men underscores his military acumen and the seriousness of his mission. The number eighty, in biblical numerology, often signifies a period of testing or judgment. The Hebrew word for "stationed" is "עָמַד" (amad), meaning to stand or position firmly. This reflects Jehu's resolve and the divine backing of his actions, as he ensures that no one escapes the impending judgment.

and warned them
The act of warning, from the Hebrew "צָוָה" (tsavah), implies a command with authority. Jehu's warning is not just a military order but a divine injunction. It reflects the gravity of the situation and the high stakes involved. This warning serves as a reminder of the covenantal responsibility to uphold God's commands and the consequences of failing to do so.

If any of the men I am delivering into your hands escapes
The phrase "delivering into your hands" is a common biblical expression denoting divine providence and judgment. The Hebrew root "נָתַן" (natan) means to give or deliver. This indicates that Jehu's actions are seen as an extension of God's will, delivering the prophets of Baal into the hands of judgment. It emphasizes the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of prophecy.

it will be your life for his life
This phrase underscores the principle of retributive justice, a common theme in the Old Testament. The Hebrew concept of "life for life" is rooted in the law of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, found in Exodus 21:23-25. This principle highlights the seriousness of the task and the accountability expected of those carrying out God's judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience and the value of life in God's eyes.

(24) When.--Omit.

They went in.--The priests and prophets went into the inner court of the Baal temple, which probably resembled in general construction that of Jehovah at Jerusalem.

Sacrifices and burnt offerings--i.e., peace offerings and burnt offerings, which could only be offered in an open court.

Jehu appointed fourscore men without.--Rather, now Jehu had set him on the outside (of the building) fourscore men.

If any of the men . . . life of him.--Literally, The man that escapeth of the men whom I am bringing into your hands--his life for his life! This is a little incoherent, as is natural in energetic speech, but the sense is clear. Thenius, however, suggests that the verb "escapeth" should be pointed as a transitive form (pihel instead of niphal). This gives: "The man that letteth escape any of the men," &c., an improvement that may be right, although the old versions agree with the present Hebrew pointing of the word.

Verse 24. - And when they went in - rather, when they had gone in; i.e. when the whole multitude of Baal-worshippers, priests and people, had entered within the precincts of the temple - to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. The priests officiate, but the offerings are regarded as conjointly made by priest and people. Jehu appointed four score men without. Josephus says ('Ant. Jud.,' 9:6. § 6) that they were the most trusty men of his body-guard, which is likely enough. They were no doubt also known to Jehu as attached to the worship of Jehovah. And said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him (comp. 1 Kings 20:39). Gaolers were commonly put to death if a prisoner committed to their charge escaped them (see Acts 12:19; Acts 16:27).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And they went in
וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to offer
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

sacrifices
זְבָחִ֣ים (zə·ḇā·ḥîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

and burnt offerings.
וְעֹל֑וֹת (wə·‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

Now Jehu
וְיֵה֞וּא (wə·yê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3058: Jehu -- 'the LORD is He', the name of several Israelites

had stationed
שָׂם־ (śām-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

eighty
שְׁמֹנִ֣ים (šə·mō·nîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8084: Eighty, eightieth

men
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

outside
בַחוּץ֙ (ḇa·ḥūṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

and warned them,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If anyone
הָאִ֤ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

allows one of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

I
אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am delivering
מֵבִ֣יא (mê·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

into
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your hands
יְדֵיכֶ֔ם (yə·ḏê·ḵem)
Noun - fdc | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

to escape,
יִמָּלֵט֙ (yim·mā·lêṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

he will forfeit his life
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

for
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

theirs.?
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT History: 2 Kings 10:24 They went in to offer sacrifices (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 10:23
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