The name “Jezebel” is forbidden among Christian mothers because pronouncing it is synonymous with spelling “Judas Iscariot.” True to its namesake, “Jezebel” seems to ignite a wave of negativity, not only among mothers, but also among the entire population. Why is there such an instant prejudice about this infamous name? What is behind its history and origin?
Jezebel was actually a queen of Phenicia, back in the 9th century BC. C. She was given in marriage to King Ahab of northern Israel. So, in a way, their marriage was one of convenience, a political alliance. Because of their unlikely union, Israel had an easy gateway to maritime exploration and trade from Phenicia and vice versa.
The big problem arose when Jezebel brought her retinue of 850 Baal-worshiping priests with her to the land of Jezreel. Naturally, she hoped the Israelites would join her in her homage to pagan worship and sexual exploits. She could not understand the monotheistic religion of Israel, which was only the worship of Yahweh.
Finally, her willful husband, Ahab, succumbed to her whims and welcomed the pagan deities. He himself began to worship Baal. Soon, the deceived Israelites began to eat of the food offered to Baal and to partake of his prostitutes.
The latent pagan worship further enraged God and sent the prophet Elijah to confront the evil queen Jezebel. Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a duel on Mount Carmel. The deity who could put fire in the sacrificed bull would be pronounced as the true God. The priests of Baal danced and sang at ease, but there was no fire from heaven. When it was Elijah’s turn to pray, behold, the bull was destroyed by instant fire!
Jezebel was mortified by the open mourning and cursed Elijah and all of God’s prophets.
His reaction to the contest at Mt. Carmel was the first point I got on his character.
1. JEZEBEL WAS THE MOTHER OF FEMINISM.
She was not intimidated by Elijah’s pronouncement that he was God’s prophet. Instead, Jezebel screamed, “IF YOU ARE ELIAS, THEN I AM JEZEBEL!” Elijah was so afraid of Jezebel that he ran for the hills. This scene was actually a lot of fun – a man hiding and walking away from a poisonous woman!
Another stigma for the male psyche was King Ahab’s sudden despair for Naboth’s vineyard. Back then, the Israelites honored the farmlands inherited from their ancestors so that these lands could not be sold to the public. But Ahab chose the vineyard so that he could turn it into an orchard.
He entered Jezebel and what did he do? She orchestrated a mob in which she spread the lie that Naboth was blaspheming God! So this mob stoned Naboth to death. Final score? The vineyard was given to Ahab through the intriguing ways of his wife. Ahab was a crybaby. And Jezebel was so cunning. She seemed to echo, “Don’t worry, husband, I’ll take care of it.”
The rest of the biblical female characters were voiceless creatures, who followed their husbands’ instructions to the core. But Jezebel refused to tolerate Ahab’s childish tantrums around the vineyard and treated him more directly. She refused to bow to his nonsense and mindless musings. She solved her problem in the best way she could.
2. JEZEBEL WAS TRUE AND DEDICATED TO HIS OWN TRADITIONS.
Jezebel’s father, Etbaal of Tire, whose ancestors were the Canaanites, was the original worshiper of Baal. His paganism was a direct influence on his daughter, who, in turn, perpetuated the ancient form of worship. From birth, through childhood, and into adulthood, Jezebel was exposed to the witchcraft and harlot customs of her pagan religion.
Now that I think about it, if Jezebel had been born and raised a Christian all her life, I don’t think she would turn to Baal worship.
3. REMAINS DIGNIFIED UNTIL HIS DEATH.
Jezebel died a very premature and violent death. Elijah prophesied that she would be thrown off the walls of Jezreel and eaten by dogs. A more sinister version happened after this prophecy because Jezebel was unrecognizable after her death. When Jehu, the military commander recently appointed as King of Israel at the time, ordered his soldiers to search for Jezebel’s disembodied body, they were shocked to find only spare parts of her legs, arms, and skull lying on the ground. She was dehumanized.
This woman was not a coward. She faced her own impending demise. He even prepared for his own death by painting kohl on his eyes, donning his hair with the crown, and standing in front of the open window while awaiting Jehu’s arrival. His courage shone when he had a direct discussion with Jehu.
Jehu ordered the eunuchs to throw Jezebel out the window. And she no longer existed.
What an unforgettable evil woman indeed, but a lot of fun in the midst of her burning passion and strong beliefs.
by: KIM R. REALUBIT