(37) And the carcase of Jezebel.--This continuation of the prophecy is not given in 1Kings 21:23. It is probably original; not "a free expansion" by Jehu, as Keil asserts. Shall be.--It is questionable whether the Hebrew text is to be read as a rare ancient form weh?y?th); or simply as an instance of defective writing (weh?yeth?). We prefer the second view. As dung.--Comp. Psalm 83:10. So that they shall not say.--Comp. Genesis 11:7 for the construction. The sense is, So that men will no longer be able to recognise her mangled remains. Verse 37. - And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field (comp. Psalm 83:10; Zephaniah 1:17; Jeremiah 9:22; Jeremiah 16:4, etc.). The expression was proverbial. In the portion of Jezreel (see the comment on the preceding verse); so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. The fragments of the body were so scattered that there could be no collective tomb, no place whereat admirers could congregate and say, "Here lies the great queen - here lies Jezebel." To rest in no tomb was viewed as a shame and a disgrace. so that they shall not say, this is Jezebel; there being nothing left of her to be seen or pointed to, nor any grave nor monument over it on which was such an inscription, here lies Jezebel; or that might lead posterity to say, this is Jezebel's grave. Now though the words of this verse are not recorded elsewhere, as the words of the Lord, by Elijah, yet as Jehu was present when they were spoken, and within the hearing of them, he now remembered them, and could repeat them, these circumstances bringing them fresh to his mind. |