Jezebel was an ancient queen whose name is mentioned 21 times in the NASB1995. Many Bible teachers have identified how this queen’s mindset and behaviors can still be active among many people and organizations today. By looking at those 21 verses mentioning “Jezebel,” one can better observe her life, actions, characteristics, and the consequences thereof.
The following list of Jezebel’s qualities is not comprehensive, but to provide a general overview of how such a mindset may manifest in today’s world. Although this list uses the word “she” in referring to Jezebel and her qualities, such a mindset (spirit, attitude, syndrome, etc.) may be descriptive or characteristic of men as well.
Thirty characteristics of Jezebel:
- Incites the worship of “free” sex with hardly any boundaries (see 1 Kings 16:31-33)
- Destroys, ridicules, and shuts down genuine prophetic ministry. Says that it is “not for today.” (see 1 Kings 18:3)
- Assassinates the character of genuine prophets and forces them into isolation (see 1 Kings 18:13)
- Fosters community among and trains a team of leaders to promote sexual immorality, drug use, and occultism throughout the culture. (see 1 Kings 18:19)
- Remains up to date and retaliates against any who get in her way (see 1 Kings 19:1-2)
- Threatens those who offend her or who oppose her desires or plans (see 1 Kings 19:2)
- Undermines and usurps the husband’s authority in the marriage as he takes on a more passive role (see 1 Kings 21:5ff)
- Encourages others to be joyful in their pride, self-pity, and self-destructive tendencies. (see 1 Kings 21:7)
- Remains well-connected and networked among the top influential leaders of a city (see 1 Kings 21:8)
- Sometimes pretends to be very spiritual, pious, godly, humble, righteous, and holy in order to persuade the public to trust and to agree with her (see 1 Kings 21:8)
- Organizes, recruits, or encourages others to slander, accuse, or to gossip about somebody whom she doesn’t like. (see 1 Kings 21:10)
- Gets people to cooperate with her wishes effectively without resistance nor questioning due to her influence in the group. (see 1 Kings 21:11-14)
- Encourages others to cross others’ boundaries as soon as they are rendered unimportant or obsolete (see 1 Kings 21:15-16)
- Suffers an untimely and horrible end for her actions and lifestyle. (see 1 Kings 21:23)
- Incites her partner or spouse to make poor choices which negatively affect all within their sphere of influence (see 1 Kings 21:25)
- Opposes the servants of God, assassinating their character because of her past disappointment (hope deferred), hatred, and bitter jealousy (see 2 Kings 9:7)
- Dies without honor, love, admiration, or respect. She will not leave a legacy of any meaningful value. (see 2 Kings 9:10)
- Promotes and lives in chaos, without peace. Attempts to find peace through drugs, pharmaceuticals, New Age practices, pornography, sexual deviancy, etc., and encourages others to do the same (see 2 Kings 9:22)
- Attempts to get her way through seduction and manipulation (see 2 Kings 9:30)
- Acts hypocritically, accusing others of the very same actions (e.g. murder, rebellion) that she has committed without remorse (see 2 Kings 9:31)
- Keeps eunuchs around her as her servants. She cuts others down, de-masculinizes men, and makes them barren and unfruitful in their lives. (see 2 Kings 9:32)
- Her downfall came at the hands of eunuchs who gained confidence from a king’s authoritative command. (see 2 Kings 9:33)
- She got trampled underfoot, suffering dishonor and defeat (see 2 Kings 9:33; Psalm 91:13; Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20)
- Jezebel was accursed, living under all kinds of curses and miseries because of her resistance to God’s commands, voice, and perspectives (see 2 Kings 9:34; Deuteronomy 28:15ff)
- Although she was precious and valuable as a human being and king’s daughter, her life’s end had nothing to show for it because of her choices (see 2 Kings 9:34-35)
- Jezebel didn’t have any positive legacy to show for her life. She didn’t make any positive, lasting difference in people’s lives, but only tore them down and encouraged them on a path of failure and destroyed relationships. (see 2 Kings 9:36-37)
- Jezebel promotes a cultural “tolerance” for sexual immorality, spiritual compromise, occultism, etc. (see Revelation 2:20)
- Jezebel doesn’t want to repent (or to change her perspective) about her choices, priorities, and lifestyle. She’s too scared, worried, proud, and stubborn to make a change. (see Revelation 2:21)
- Unless she turns to Jesus, she will suffer the natural consequences of her decisions–including sickness, broken relationships, disease, depression, unnecessary hardships, and premature death (see Revelation 2:22)
- Soberingly, unless they repent (turn to God in submission), Jezebel and those under her leadership will not only themselves suffer for their wrong choices, but their children will die as well. (see Revelation 2:23; Romans 6:23)
Click here for more blog posts on the topic of Jezebel.
See “Would You Like to Throw Jezebel to the Dogs Personally?” for some brief application steps and suggested prayer for overcoming temptation or attacks from a Jezebel-like spirit or mindset.
For more information on starting a personal relationship with God, see “Four Spiritual Laws for Experiencing Joy.”
I feel attacked!! Jk. Good read.
Thanks!