Jezebel (Hebrew origin: Chaste)
(1 Kings 16:31). 9th century b.c.e.
Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, was a strong-willed woman who exercised a great deal of influence over her husband, King Ahab of Israel. She introduced the Phoenician pagan cult of the god Baal in the country, a development that was bitterly opposed by the Prophet Elijah. Ahab tolerated the foreign cult introduced by his wife and cooperated with her by building a temple for Baal in Samaria and erecting a sacred post. He also granted her unlimited administrative authority. Jezebel initiated a murderous persecution against the prophets of the Lord. When Ahab died, he was succeeded by his son Joram. Jehu, the commander of the army of Israel, rebelled against Joram and accused Jezebel of whoredom and witchcraft. He killed Joram and mortally wounded Ahaziah, the king of Judah. Jehu went to the royal palace and told the eunuchs that were with Jezebel to throw her down. Her blood sprinkled on the wall, and Jehu trampled her with his horse. Afterward, he gave instructions to bury Jezebel, because she was a king's daughter. His men went to search for her body, but the dogs had eaten her; they found only her skull, feet, and palms of her hands.
Read more biographies from Who's Who in the Jewish Bible.
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