In the Tanakh (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Old Testament), Jezebel is a queen of ancient Israel. Her story is told in 1st and 2nd Kings. She is introduced as a Phoenician princess, the daughter of King Ithobaal I of Sidon, who marries King Ahab. She turns Ahab away from the God of the Israelites and of the Jews (being the inhabitants of Judah in this context) and toward the worship of Phoenician god, Baal. Ahab and Jezebel let temples of Baal operate in Israel, and the pagan religion receives royal patronage. Furthermore, the queen uses her control over Ahab to lead the Hebrews into sin and subject them to tyranny. After she has the prophets of Yahweh slaughtered, the prophet Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a test (1 Kings 18), exposes their god as powerless, has them slaughtered (1 Kings 18:40), and incurs Jezebel's furious enmity. After Ahab's death, Jezebel continues to rule through her son Ahaziah. When Ahaziah is killed in battle, she exercises control through her other son, Jehoram.

As recounted in 2Kings 9:1-10, God speaks through the prophet Elisha (Elijah's successor), and has one of his servants anoint Jehu as king in Jehoram's place, adding "thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master." Acting on this divine commission for revolution, Jehu kills King Jehoram as he attempts to flee in his war chariot. Jehu then confronts Jezebel in Jezreel and urges her eunuchs to kill the queen mother by throwing her out a window (defenestration). They comply, tossing her out the window and leaving her in the street to be eaten by dogs. Only Jezebel's skull, feet, and hands remained. Her ignominious end thus fulfills Elijah's prophecy 1Kings 21:22-26. For the musical collective, see Tanakh (band). ... The Books of Kings (‎) is a part of Judaisms Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. ... Phoenicia (or Phenicia ,[1] from Biblical Phenice [1]) was an ancient civilization centered in the north of ancient Canaan, with its heartland along the coast of modern day Lebanon and Syria. ... Ithobaal I was king of Tyre (887 - 856 BC). ... For other uses, see Ahab (disambiguation). ... Look up Judah in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Baal (disambiguation). ... This page is about the religious concept of Tyranny. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... This entry is not about King Ahaziah of Judah. ... Jehoram (or Joram) was the king of Israel (2 Kings 8:16, 25, 28f), and he was the son of Ahab. ... Not to be confused with Elishah. ... To anoint is to apply perfumed oil. ... Jehu son of Omri kneeling at the feet of Shalmaneser III on the Black Obelisk. ... European illustration of a Eunuch (1749) Chief Eunuch of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II at the Imperial Palace, 1912. ... Look up defenestration in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Prophecy (disambiguation). ...

The Name

Using the vowels traditionally used for this name by Hebrew readers, the Hebrew form of this name means "not exalted". But it is highly unlikely her parents would have given her such a name. Read with different vowels it can be understood as meaning "Where is the Prince?" ('ay zebul in Hebrew). In fact, early Syrian inscriptions from Ugarit demonstrate that "the Prince" (equivalent of Hebrew "Zebul") was a popular title for the storm god of the Phoenicians. The sentence "Where is the Prince?" is even found in Ugaritic literature. It is a form of invocation, calling on the god named to appear and act. In other words, this Tyrian princess was given a name in praise of the chief god of her people (whom the Hebrew Bible refers to mainly by the title "Baal", meaning "lord, master"). "Jezebel" is, then, a reinterpretation, intended to mock this Queen and her god, whom she encouraged Israel to worship. Excavated ruins at Ras Shamra. ... An invocation (from the Latin verb invocare to call on, invoke) is: A supplication. ...

The Hebrew Bible contains two other examples of this name formula. First, in the larger context of the Jezebel story, after Elijah is taken up, Elisha strikes the Jordan with Elijah's cloak and cries, "Where is YHWH, the God of Elijah?" as an invocation for God to part the waters, as he had done from Elijah (2 Kings 2). Second, the name "Ichabod", traditionally read as "no glory" (son of the priest Phinehas, in 1 Samuel) may be read as, "Where is the Glory?" In context, the question becomes sadly ironic, because "the Glory" is associated with the ark of the covenant, which has just been captured by the Philistines. A related type of Hebrew name is "Who is like God/yaweh?" (Michael/Micaiah) Ichabod, in the Bible, is the son of Phinehas. ... Hophni (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ) and Phinehas (or Pinhas) (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian ) were two brothers described in Samuel as having been the officiating priests at the sanctuary of Shiloh at the time of Hannah. ... This article is about the given name. ...

In the New Testament

In Revelation 2:20, a prophecy is uttered against a prophetess in the church of Thyatira named Jezebel. She is accused of inducing members of the church there to commit acts of sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. ^[1] In numerous religions, including Abrahamic religions, Jah religions, Sikhism, and many forms of Paganism, a prophet is an intermediary with a deity, particularly someone who speaks for the deity or interprets the deitys will or mind. ... Thyateira (also Thyatira) is the ancient name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar (white castle). The Turkish equivalent ot Thyateira is Tepe Mezarligi. ...

Carthage

Jezebel is said to be the great aunt of Queen Dido, founder of Carthage, who is best known for her depiction in Virgil's The Aeneid. A cousin chart identifies the correct name for the relationship between two people with a common ancestor. ... For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Virgil (disambiguation). ... The Aeneid is a Latin epic written by Vergil in the 1st century BC that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy where he became the ancestor of the Romans. ...

Jezebel in modern culture

Jezebel as a hussy

The name Jezebel has come down through the centuries to be used as a general name for all wicked women. For other uses, see Evil (disambiguation). ...

In modern usage the name of Jezebel is sometimes used as a synonym for sexually promiscuous and sometimes controlling women, as in the title of the 1938 Bette Davis film Jezebel or the 1951 Frankie Laine hit "Jezebel". This image is epitomised by the phrase "painted Jezebel." The "painted" part refers to a line in II Kings, just before she is killed, where she puts on her makeup. While it is often negative in connotation, some embrace the image, as is evidenced by various lingerie designs named after Jezebel. Jezebel is a 1938 film that tells the story of a headstrong young Southern woman during the years prior to the American Civil War, and how her actions cost her the love of the man she truly loves. ... Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio (March 30, 1913 – February 6, 2007), was one of the most successful American singers of the twentieth century. ... Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... Assorted lingerie styles. ...

From a biblical and Christian point of view, a comparison to Jezebel would suggest that a person would be a pagan or an apostate masquerading as a servant of God, who by manipulation and/or seduction misleads the saints of God into sins of idolatry and sexual immorality, making them ineffective. From a Christian point of view, It has also been used to refer to those who challenge evidence and belief in God.^{[citation needed]} Pagan may refer to: A believer in Paganism or Neopaganism Bagan, a city in Myanmar also known as Pagan Pagan (album), the 6th album by Celtic metal band Cruachan Pagan Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands Pagan Lorn, a metal band from Luxembourg, Europe (1994-1998) Pagans Mind, is... Apostasy (Greek απο, apo, away, apart, στασις, stasis, standing) is the formal renunciation of ones religion. ...

Cultural References

• In the 1957 Three Stooges film Rusty Romeos, Joe Besser calls a gold-digging ex-fiancée (Connie Cezon) a jezebel.
• In the Season 2 episode of Criminal Minds "The Big Game", a woman who commits adultery is called Jezebel. She is murdered by a serial killer who feeds her to dogs.
• Edith Piaf recorded a song called "Jezebel," which was later covered in tribute by Ann Wilson of Heart.
• Pioneer Virginia gospel/pop quartet of the '30s and '40s, The Golden Gate Quartet recorded a song titled "Jezebel" on their Rock My Soul album; the song reflects the story of Jezebel, and was re-recorded and adapted for Recoil's album Liquid (March 2000).
• Bette Davis won an Oscar for Best Actress in William Wyler's Jezebel (1938).
• Anita O'Day was billed as the "Jezebel of Jazz".
• Frankie Laine had a big pop hit in 1951 with a song called "Jezebel".
• Indie musician Sam Beam (aka Iron & Wine) recorded a love song to Jezebel, presumably from the viewpoint of King Ahab, on his Woman King EP.
• Frank Kelly's "Christmas Countdown" parody of the Twelve Nights of Christmas, a 1983 UK and Irish chart entry.
• Australian rock band The Drones recorded "Jezebel" as the opening track of their third album, Gala Mill. A sprawling 7 minute song, it appears to cover topics from nuclear testing in Australia to the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl.
• Nathan Price mentions and compares his daughter to Jezebel in the novel The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
• British grime artist Dizzee Rascal recorded a song titled "Jezebel" on his debut album Boy In Da Corner; it is a tale of a young girl and the choices she makes.
• British singer Sade Adu (Sade) also recorded a song titled "Jezebel" on her Promise album in 1985 about a girl who knows how to get what she wants.
• In Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale, the secret brothel used by the Commanders is called "Jezebel's."
• The American band 10,000 Maniacs also recorded a song titled "Jezebel" on their 1992 album Our Time In Eden, concerning Jezebel's regrets about the inexorability of her mission.
• In Tom Robbins's novel Skinny Legs and All, Jezebel is presented as a down to earth, sympathetic, and strong female character, wrongfully slandered in the Bible because of her religious beliefs.
• In Isaac Asimov's novel Caves of Steel, Jezebel is described as an ideal wife, and a woman who, in full compliance with the mores of the time, promotes her own religion conscientiously.
• In Memories by Leonard Cohen, Jezebel is mentioned as being sung about by Frankie Lane in a dance club.
• Joni Mitchell's song "Magdalene Laundries" from her album Turbulent Indigo, along with many other biblical references, alludes to Jezebel.
• Alan Wilder's song Jezebel from the LP Liquid, 2000, which was also the first single from this album is all about Jezebel. Sang by Orlandus Wilson.
• Jezebel appears in Bob Dylan's "Tombstone Blues" from his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited. Here she "violently knits a bald wig, for Jack the Ripper".
• Sarah Jezebel Deva is the stage name of Sarah Jane Ferridge, an English singer who has collaborated with bands like Cradle of Filth and Mortiis.
• My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, a 1981 album by Brian Eno and David Byrne, features the song "The Jezebel Spirit", which contains a sample of Jezebel being mentioned during an exorcism performed by a preacher.
• In the 1997 Jim Carrey movie Liar Liar, Carrey and co-star Swoosie Kurtz are involved in a courtroom argument that degenerates into name-calling. The dialogue in the released version of the film begins with Kurtz objecting to one of Carrey's character's points, Carrey saying "You would," Kurtz calling him "Bastard," with Carrey finally calling Kurtz "Hag" before Jason Bernard's "Judge Stevens" harshly reprimands them both. In the gag reel on the DVD, Kurtz continues with "Overactor" before Bernard has a chance to begin his dialogue, to which Carrey responds "Jezebel" as the film crew break down in laughter.
• In the Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy, The Wedding Planner, Lopez's character mumbles while drunk that "Jezebel is the only queen in the Bible to be eaten by dogs."
• KMFDM has a song entitled "Juke Joint Jezebel" on their 1995 album Nihil, written by collaborator Raymond Watts, which is considered by many to be their most popular song.
• WWE commentator Jim Ross refers to the heel divas as "Jezebels" quite frequently.
• The German singer/songwriter Alexander Veljanov has recorded a song "Jezebel" on his 1998 album Secrets of the Silver Tongue.
• The hard rock band He Is Legend refers to Jezebel in the lyrics of their song "The Seduction" which was released on the album I Am Hollywood in 2004.
• In 1996, Elenor Brown composed the poem "Jezebel and the Eunuchs."^[2]
• The Hip-Hop group Outkast have a song off the album ATLiens called "Jazzy Belle", a take on the name that explores similar themes to the biblical Jezebel.
• From Lauryn Hill's 1998 rap hit "Doo Wop (That Thing)": "Now that was the sin that did Jezebel in / Who you gonna call when the repercussions spin?"
• In the 2005 movie musical Reefer Madness, Mary Lane refers to herself as "a pubescent addition to Jezebel" in the song "Murder".
• The Smothers Brothers recorded a humorous version of Jezebel.
• Tea Leaf Green, a rock 'n' roll band from San Francisco, plays a song by the name of 'Jezebel'.
• In the movie Jacob's Ladder, Jacob's girlfriend is named Jezebel.
• In the original Twilight Zone there is an episode about an evil girl named Jess-Belle,a reference to Jezebel from the old Testament
• In the comic book V for Vendetta, the main character V calls Justice 'Jezebel' in an inner monologue for having fallen for the interests of the fictional British fascist regime.
• In a Saturday Night Live skit, Gus Chiggins (portrayed by Will Ferrell) mutters "Oh Jezebel, why are you so sweet? I'll take you down to the market, and put you in my shoe" as he is leaving the room.
• In the Elvis Presley song "Hardheaded woman", he sings "I've heard about a king who was doing swell until he started messing with that evil Jezebel".
• On That 70s Show Episode 605 "I'm Free", Fez tells Laurie (Eric's sister who is sexually promiscuous) to "Zip-it Jezebel".
• In the Broadway musical Godspell by Stephen Schwartz, the song "Learn Your Lessons Well" features the lyrics, "...Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel/You better start to learn your lessons well."
• Focus on the Family Radio Theatre produced a miniseries called Father Gilbert Mysteries. In one episode, Father Louis Gilbert, a former Scotland Yard detective who became an Anglican priest, is investigating a female kidnapper who operates under the alias "Jezzy Bell".
• Ric Flair referred to Miss Elizabeth as "That Jezebel" in a promo at Wrestlemania VIII
• "This is Jezebel in hell" is a lyric from the song 'Angry Johnny' by Singer/songerwriter Anne Danielewski, more commonly known as 'Poe'.
• Canadian band Two Hours Traffic has a song titled Jezebel on their second album "Little Jabs".
• Jezebel was the name of an unreflected critical assembly of plutonium used in neutronics experiments at Los Alamos National Laboratory. One writer speculates that the name references the aforementioned Bette Davis film--a plausible suggestion, given the respective dates of the film's release and the beginning of research at Los Alamos.^[3]
• In Kaori Yuki's Manga series Godchild, one of the main antagonists (and the main character's half brother) is called Jezebel Disraeli.
• "Don't need no modern-day Jezebel" is a lyric from the song "Wish I Had A Girl" by singer/songwriter Henry Lee Summer.
• In season 6 of "The Simpsons" episode "Bart's Girlfriend," the church marquee reads: "Evil women in history: from Jezebel to Janet Reno."
• One of the quests that the player can undertake in the computer game Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is to kill a character named Jezebel Locke. Jezebel Locke is revealed to be a seductive vampiress that deliberately spreads a dangerous disease through the local human population in downtown Los Angeles, endangering the masquerade.
• The song "Carnivale" by English Drum & Bass producer Lynx and German rapper Kemo features a mention of Jezebel along with many other religious mentions.
• In an episode of The Bernie Mac Show, Vanessa puts on lipgloss and Bryanna "Baby Girl" calls her Jezebel.
• Jezebel is mentioned in the ska song "Carry Go Bring Come" by Justin Hinds.
• Louisiana sludge metal band Acid Bath has a song entitled simply "Jezebel" in which a woman, presumed to be a whore, is killed and mutilated.
• There is a song lyric by EmmyLou Harris that refers to Jezebel--"You've been burned by Jezebel."
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers' song Save This Lady features lines "Jezebel spirit's gonna steal my health..."
• The 1985 Thompson Twins song "Roll Over" features the lines "Jezebel paid her way, sliding around on dirty sheets all day"
• In Ken Kesey's classic novel. At the end of the novel when Nurse Ratched discovers a patient, Billy Bibbit with a prostitute, she is at a loss for words as how to describe the women, when another patient, Harding, offers that she is a Jezebel.
• The rock band, Atomic Wasteland Mutants, has a song entitled "Jezebel". The song cautions people to guard their soul from being taken by Jezebel, a physically beautiful but clearly evil demon.
• Wyclef Jean's song "Linda" from his 2003 album The Preacher's Son references the story of Ahab and Jezebel.
• Danity Kane’s song "Bad Girl" featuring Missy Elliot from their 2008 album Welcome To The Dollhouse references a Jezebel as a wicked woman or a woman corrupted from the social norm.

References

External links

• Jezebel, Article by Ronald L. Ecker
• Ancient Seal Belonged To Queen Jezebel ScienceDaily (Oct. 29, 2007) — Utrecht University Old Testament scholar Dr. Marjo Korpel argues that a seal found in 1964 dates from the 9th century BCE and belonged to the biblical figure Queen Jezebel.