Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah with this message: 'May the gods strike me down and do even worse to me if I don't kill you by this time tomorrow, just like you killed my prophets.'
Queen Jezebel is making a deadly threat to the prophet Elijah, swearing by her gods that she will have him killed within 24 hours for destroying her false prophets.
📚 Historical Context
This threat comes immediately after Elijah's dramatic victory over 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where he proved God's power and then executed all the false prophets. Jezebel, the pagan queen of Israel who had promoted Baal worship, was furious about losing her religious leaders and wanted revenge. Her oath formula 'so let the gods do to me' was a common ancient way of making the most serious kind of promise.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.