63 Jezebel associates Jehu with another assassin, Zimri, who approximately 44 years before had murdered King Elah, only to meet a violent death just a few days later (1 Kgs 16:9–20). On the surface Jezebel’s actions seem contradictory. On the one hand, she beautifies herself as if to seduce Jehu, but on the other hand, she insults and indirectly threatens him with this comparison to Zimri. Upon further reflection, however, her actions reveal a clear underlying motive. She wants to retain her power, not to mention her life. By beautifying herself, she appeals to Jehu’s sexual impulses; by threatening him, she reminds him that he is in the same precarious position as Zimri. But, if he makes Jezebel his queen, he can consolidate his power. In other words through her actions and words Jezebel is saying to Jehu, “You desire me, don’t you? And you need me!”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, you Zimri, murderer of your master?”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

As Jehu entered the city gate, she said, “Do you come in peace, Zimri, killer of your master?”

NLTNew Living Translation

When Jehu entered the gate of the palace, she shouted at him, “Have you come in peace, you murderer? You’re just like Zimri, who murdered his master!”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now Jehu had come in the gate, so she said, “Is it peace, O Zimri, murderer of his master?”

KJV 1900King James Version

And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

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