God’s Word Translation
2 Kings 9:20
20So the watchman announced, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back. The troop’s leader is driving like a lunatic, like Jehu, grandson of Nimshi.”
2 Kings 9:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
- New International Version (NIV)The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
- New King James Version (NKJV)So the watchman reported, saying, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!”
Context of 2 Kings 9:20
18So a chariot driver rode off, met Jehu, and said, “The king asks, ‘Is everything alright?’ ” Jehu replied, “Why should that matter to you? Follow me.” So the watchman announced, “The messenger you sent has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.” 19Then Joram sent out a second driver. When he came to them, he said, “The king asks, ‘Is everything alright?’ ” Jehu replied, “Why should that matter to you? Follow me.” So the watchman announced, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back. The troop’s leader is driving like a lunatic, like Jehu, grandson of Nimshi.” 21“Hitch the horses to the chariot,” Joram ordered. When that was done, King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went to meet Jehu, each in his own chariot. They found him in the field that belonged to Naboth from Jezreel. 22When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is everything alright, Jehu?” Jehu answered, “How can everything be alright as long as your mother continues her idolatry and witchcraft?”
Read all of 2 Kings 92 Kings 9:20 word by word
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֥א עַד־אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וְלֹֽא־שָׁ֑ב וְהַמִּנְהָ֗ג כְּמִנְהַג֙ יֵה֣וּא בֶן־נִמְשִׁ֔י כִּ֥י בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן יִנְהָֽג׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the watchmanצָפָהtsâphâh · to watchH6822
- toldנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
- sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- He cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- even unto them, and cometh not againשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
- and the drivingמִנְהָגminhâg · drivingH4491
- of Jehuיֵהוּאyêhû' · JehuH3058
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Nimshiנִמְשִׁיnimshîy · NimshiH5250
- for he drivethנָהַגnâhag · to leadH5090
- furiouslyשִׁגָּעוֹןshiggâ‛ôn · madnessH7697
Cross-references for 2 Kings 9:20
- Habakkuk 1:6I am going to send the Babylonians, that fierce and reckless nation. They will march throughout the earth to take possession of lands that don’t belong to them.
- Habakkuk 3:12You march through the earth with fury. You trample the nations in anger.
- 2 Kings 10:16Jehu said, “Come with me. See how devoted I am to the Lord.” So he had Jehonadab ride on his chariot.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with ⌞all⌟ your might, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you’re going.
- Isaiah 54:16I’ve created blacksmiths to fan the coals into flames and to produce useful weapons. I’ve also created destroyers to bring destruction.
- Daniel 11:44But news from the east and the north will frighten him. He will leave very angry to destroy and exterminate many.
Commentaries on 2 Kings 9:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20He driveth furiously - Jehu was a bold, daring, prompt, and precipitate general. In his various military operations he had established his character; and now it was almost proverbial.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The driving furiously - The word translated “driving” means “leading” or “conducting” a band. The watchman observed that the “company” (or, multitude) was led forward madly, and associated this strange procedure with the known character of Jehu. It is curious that some versions, as well as Josephus, give an opposite sense: “he driveth quietly.” Jehu was properly “the grandson” of Nimshi, who was probably a more famous person than Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 9:2.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-29Verses 16-29 Jehu was a man of eager spirit. The wisdom of God is seen in the choice of those employed in his work. But it is not for any man's reputation to be known by his fury. He that has rule over his own spirit, is better than the mighty. Joram met Jehu in the portion of Naboth. The circumstances of events are sometimes ordered by Divine Providence to make the punishment answer to the sin, as face answers to face in a glass. The way of sin can never…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-37The writer summarizes Jehu's takeover, which started Israel's fourth dynasty, in four steps: Elisha sent a prophet to the army camp at Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu as Israel's next king (2 Kings 9:1–10). Jehu's soldiers learned about the prophet's visit and declared Jehu king (2 Kings 9:11–15). Both Joram and King Ahaziah of Judah were killed (2 Kings 9:16–29). Jezebel was killed (2 Kings 9:30–37).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2417-24. there stood a watchman on the tower of Jezreel--The Hebrew palaces, besides being situated on hills had usually towers attached to them, not only for the pleasure of a fine prospect, but as posts of useful observation. The ancient watchtower of Jezreel must have commanded a view of the whole region eastward, nearly down to the Jordan. Beth-shan stands on a rising ground about six or seven miles below it, in a narrow part of the plain; and when Jehu…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Kings 9:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Kings 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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