2 Kings 10:9 The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, "You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

◄ 2 Kings 10:9 ►

New International Version
The next morning Jehu went out. He stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

New Living Translation
In the morning he went out and spoke to the crowd that had gathered around them. “You are not to blame,” he told them. “I am the one who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

English Standard Version
Then in the morning, when he went out, he stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but who struck down all these?

Berean Standard Bible
The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

King James Bible
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

New King James Version
So it was, in the morning, that he went out and stood, and said to all the people, “You are righteous. Indeed I conspired against my master and killed him; but who killed all these?

New American Standard Bible
Now in the morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent; behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

NASB 1995
Now in the morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent; behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

NASB 1977
Now it came about in the morning, that he went out and stood, and said to all the people, “You are innocent; behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened in the morning that he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are righteous; behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who struck down all these?

Amplified Bible
The next morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are just and innocent; behold, I conspired against [Joram] my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

Christian Standard Bible
The next morning when he went out and stood at the gate, he said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all these?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The next morning when he went out and stood at the gate, he said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all these?

American Standard Version
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye are righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him; but who smote all these?

Contemporary English Version
The next morning, Jehu went out and stood where everyone could hear him, and he said, "You people are not guilty of anything. I'm the one who plotted against Joram and had him killed. But who killed all these men?

English Revised Version
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who smote all these?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the morning he stood there. He told the people, "You are innocent. I plotted against my master and killed him. But who killed all these men?

Good News Translation
In the morning he went out to the gate and said to the people who were there, "I was the one who plotted against King Joram and killed him; you are not responsible for that. But who killed all these?

International Standard Version
The next morning, Jehu went out, stood still, and announced to all the people: "Are you righteous? I conspired against my master and killed him, but who slaughtered all of these?

Majority Standard Bible
The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these?

NET Bible
In the morning he went out and stood there. Then he said to all the people, "You are innocent. I conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all of these men?

New Heart English Bible
It happened in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, "You are righteous. Look, I conspired against my master, and killed him; but who struck all these?

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye are righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

World English Bible
In the morning, he went out and stood, and said to all the people, “You are righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass in the morning, that he goes out, and stands, and says to all the people, “You are righteous; behold, I have conspired against my lord, and slay him—and who struck all these?

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in the morning, that he goeth out, and standeth, and saith unto all the people, 'Righteous are ye; lo, I have conspired against my lord, and slay him -- and who smote all these?

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the morning, and he will go forth and stand and say to all the people, Ye are just: behold, I conspired against my lord, and I will kill him: and who struck all these?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when it was light, he went out, and standing said to all the people: You are just: if I conspired against my master, and slew him, who hath slain all these?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when it had become light, he went out. And standing there, he said to all the people: “You are just. If I have conspired against my lord, and if I have killed him, who has struck down all of these?

New American Bible
In the morning he came outside, stood there, and said to all the people: “You are guiltless, for it was I who conspired against my lord and slew him. But who killed all these?

New Revised Standard Version
Then in the morning when he went out, he stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him; but who struck down all these?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And in the morning, he went out and said to all the people, You are righteous; I conspired against my master and slew him; but who slew all these?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he went out at dawn and said to all the people: “You are righteous, since I rebelled against my Lord, and I killed him. Who killed all these?

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people: 'Ye are righteous; behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him; but who smote all these?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the morning came, and he went forth, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye are righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jehu Slaughters Ahab's Family
…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.” 9 The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? 10Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 21:21-24
This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free. / I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.’ / And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ ...

2 Kings 9:7-10
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel. / The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel. / I will make the house of Ahab like the houses of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah. ...

1 Kings 16:11-12
As soon as Zimri began to reign and was seated on the throne, he struck down the entire household of Baasha. He did not leave a single male, whether a kinsman or friend. / So Zimri destroyed the entire household of Baasha, according to the word that the LORD had spoken against Baasha through Jehu the prophet.

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.)

1 Kings 19:17
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

2 Samuel 12:9-10
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. / Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

Hosea 1:4
Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

Jeremiah 15:3
I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Ezekiel 9:5-7
And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. / Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.

Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 5:9
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 11:50-51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Revelation 2:20-23
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. ...

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, You be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?

Ye be righteous

1 Samuel 12:3
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Isaiah 5:3
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

I conspired

2 Kings 9:14-24
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria…

Hosea 1:4
And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

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Conspired Designs Innocent Jehu Killed Master Morning Righteous Slay Slew Smote Standeth Stood Stopping Struck True. Upright

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Conspired Designs Innocent Jehu Killed Master Morning Righteous Slay Slew Smote Standeth Stood Stopping Struck True. Upright

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

Berean Study Bible

In the morning
This phrase indicates the time of day when Jehu chose to address the people. Morning, in biblical times, often symbolizes new beginnings or revelations. It is a time when activities commence, and decisions are made. The Hebrew word for morning, "bôqer," suggests the breaking of dawn, a metaphor for enlightenment or the unveiling of truth. Jehu's choice to speak in the morning underscores the gravity and transparency of his message.

he went out and stood before all the people
Jehu's action of going out and standing before the people signifies a public declaration. In ancient Israel, leaders often addressed the populace in open spaces, symbolizing accountability and leadership. The Hebrew verb "yatsá" (went out) implies a deliberate action, while "amad" (stood) conveys a sense of authority and readiness to engage. This public stance is crucial for Jehu to establish his legitimacy and communicate directly with the people.

and said, 'You are innocent
The phrase "You are innocent" is a declaration of the people's non-complicity in the events that transpired. The Hebrew word "tsaddiq" (innocent) is often used in legal contexts to denote righteousness or being free from guilt. Jehu absolves the people of any wrongdoing, distancing them from the political machinations and violence that have occurred. This statement is strategic, as it seeks to win the people's trust and support by exonerating them from the bloodshed.

It was I who conspired against my master and killed him
Here, Jehu openly admits his role in the conspiracy and assassination of King Joram. The word "conspired" (Hebrew "qashar") indicates a binding or plotting, often in secrecy. Jehu's admission is both a confession and a claim of responsibility, highlighting his decisive role in the political upheaval. By acknowledging his actions, Jehu positions himself as a decisive leader who takes ownership of his deeds, a quality that can inspire confidence or fear.

But who killed all these?
This rhetorical question shifts the focus from Jehu's actions to the broader context of the massacre of Ahab's family. The phrase "all these" refers to the numerous deaths that occurred, which Jehu implies were beyond his direct involvement. This question serves to provoke thought among the people, suggesting that divine justice or other forces were at play. It also subtly deflects blame, inviting the audience to consider the larger narrative of God's judgment against the house of Ahab, as prophesied by Elijah.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) And stood.--Or, took his place--i.e. (according to Reuss), sat as judge in the palace gateway, according to royal custom, and gave audience to the people.

The citizens would naturally be struck with consternation at the sight of the two ghastly pyramids in front of the palace, and would crowd together in expectancy at the gates. Jehu goes forth to justify himself, and calm their fears.

Ye be righteous--i.e., guiltless in respect of the deaths of these men, and therefore have nothing to dread. Thenius explains: "Ye are just, and therefore will judge justly." Others render: "Are ye righteous?" implying that Jehu wished to make the people guilty of the massacre of the princes, while owning his own murder of the king.

I.--Emphatic: I on my part; or, I indeed.

But who slew all these?--Slew should be smote. Jehu professes astonishment, by way of self-exculpation. He hints that as Jehovah had foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, He must have brought it to pass; and therefore nobody is to blame. (See next verse.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous. Not an ironical reproach to those who had brought the heads - "Ye consider yourselves righteous, yet this bloodshed rests upon you;" much less a serious declaration (Gerlach) that now at last the sins of idolatrous Israel were atoned for; but an argument ad captandum, addressed to the crowd of spectators whom the unwonted spectacle had brought together, "Ye are just persons, and capable of pronouncing a just judgment; judge, then, if I am the wicked person which men generally consider me." Behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? I confess to one murder; but here are seventy murders. And who is guilty of them? Not I, or my party, but the trusted adherents of the Ahabite dynasty, the rulers placed by them over the capital, and the governors to whom they had entrusted the royal children. Does not this show that all parties are weary of the Ahabites and of their system? Does it not clear me of any private or selfish motive, and indicate the desire of the whole nation for a change, civil and religions - a change which shall entirely subvert the new religion introduced by Jezebel, and fall back upon the lines of that maintained by Elijah and Elisha?

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The next morning,
בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ (ḇab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

[Jehu] went out
וַיֵּצֵ֣א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and stood
וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֔ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

before
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

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

“You
אַתֶּ֑ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are innocent.
צַדִּקִ֖ים (ṣad·di·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

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

who conspired
קָשַׁ֤רְתִּי (qā·šar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

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

my master
אֲדֹנִי֙ (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

and killed him.
וָאֶהְרְגֵ֔הוּ (wā·’eh·rə·ḡê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

But who
וּמִ֥י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

killed
הִכָּ֖ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these?
אֵֽלֶּה׃ (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

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OT History: 2 Kings 10:9 It happened in the morning that he (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)