The name Jezebel is one of the most infamous in the Bible.
She was a queen, but not a righteous one.
She was powerful, but she used her power for evil.
She was married to a king, but she led him—and an entire nation—away from God.
Even today, her name is used to describe someone who is manipulative, controlling, and destructive.
But who was Jezebel, and why does the Bible speak so strongly against her?
Let’s take a closer look at her story and what lessons we can learn from it.
Who Was Jezebel?
Jezebel was a Phoenician princess who became the queen of Israel when she married King Ahab.
Her story is found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Instead of following the God of Israel, Jezebel brought with her the worship of Baal, a false god.
She was not just an idol worshiper—she actively worked to turn the Israelites away from the one true God.
She introduced Baal worship on a large scale, promoted false prophets, and persecuted those who remained faithful to God.
She was a woman of strong influence, but she used her influence to do evil.
Jezebel and King Ahab
Jezebel did not simply follow Ahab—she controlled him.
1 Kings 21:25 says, there was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.
Ahab was already a weak and wicked king, but Jezebel pushed him even further into sin.
One of the most well-known stories about Jezebel is her involvement in the murder of Naboth.
Ahab wanted a vineyard that belonged to Naboth, but when Naboth refused to sell it, Ahab sulked like a child.
Jezebel, however, took matters into her own hands.
She arranged for Naboth to be falsely accused and executed, and then she took his land.
This showed her complete lack of respect for justice and her willingness to use deception and murder to get what she wanted.
Jezebel and the Prophets of Baal
Jezebel’s hatred for God’s prophets was intense.
She ordered the killing of many of them and supported the prophets of Baal instead.
In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a showdown on Mount Carmel.
They call on Baal to send fire, but nothing happens.
Then Elijah prays to the one true God, and fire comes down from heaven, proving that the Lord is God.
After this, Elijah orders the execution of the false prophets.
When Jezebel hears about this, she becomes furious and swears to kill Elijah.
This shows her stubbornness—she had just witnessed the power of God, but instead of repenting, she doubled down on her rebellion.
Her heart was hardened against the truth.
Jezebel’s Death and Her Fate
Jezebel’s evil ways did not go unnoticed by God.
Through the prophet Elijah, God declared that Jezebel’s death would be violent and humiliating.
2 Kings 9:10 says, dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel, and there will be no one to bury her.
Years later, a man named Jehu was anointed as king, and he was tasked with destroying Ahab’s family and ending Jezebel’s reign of wickedness.
When Jehu arrived at Jezebel’s palace, she tried to manipulate him with her charm, but he was not fooled.
He ordered her servants to throw her out of the window.
She fell to her death, and when they went to bury her later, all that remained were her skull, feet, and hands—just as God had prophesied.
Jezebel’s end was as dramatic as her life had been.
She had spent her life defying God, and in the end, she faced the full weight of His judgment.
The Spirit of Jezebel
Jezebel’s influence did not die with her.
In the New Testament, her name appears again in Revelation 2:20, where Jesus rebukes the church in Thyatira for tolerating a woman who misleads people into sin.
He says, you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.
By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
This does not mean that the same Jezebel from the Old Testament was alive in New Testament times.
Rather, it shows that the same spirit of manipulation, control, and rebellion continued to operate in people.
Even today, people use the term “Jezebel spirit” to describe someone who seeks to control, deceive, and lead others away from God.
Lessons from Jezebel’s Story
Jezebel’s story is a warning about the dangers of pride, manipulation, and idolatry.
She was not a woman of faith—she was a woman of power who used her influence for evil.
One lesson we can learn from her story is the danger of turning away from God.
Jezebel refused to acknowledge God’s power, even when she saw it with her own eyes.
She was stubborn in her sin, and it led to her destruction.
Another lesson is the destructive nature of manipulation.
Jezebel controlled Ahab, deceived people, and used others to get what she wanted.
God calls us to lead with love, not control.
Her story also warns against idolatry.
She led an entire nation into idol worship, and it brought God’s judgment upon them.
When people put anything above God—whether it be power, money, or influence—they risk walking the same dangerous path that Jezebel did.
Breaking Free from the Spirit of Jezebel
If someone struggles with control, manipulation, or jealousy, there is hope.
God offers forgiveness and transformation.
James 4:7 says, submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The first step to breaking free from a spirit like Jezebel’s is to submit to God and allow Him to change the heart.
Prayer is also essential.
Psalm 51:10 says, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Asking God for a new heart and a renewed spirit is key to walking in righteousness.
Surrounding yourself with godly influences is another important step.
Proverbs 13:20 says, walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Jezebel surrounded herself with false prophets and wicked leaders, which only strengthened her rebellion.
Seeking wise counsel and godly friendships can help a person walk away from manipulative and sinful behaviors.
Jezebel vs. Godly Women in the Bible
Jezebel stands in contrast to godly women in the Bible who used their influence for good.
Esther, for example, was also a queen, but instead of leading people into sin, she saved her people through prayer and courage.
Ruth, another woman of the Bible, remained faithful and honored God, and she was blessed because of it.
Proverbs 31 describes a woman who fears the Lord and is praised for her wisdom, kindness, and strength.
Jezebel is an example of how power and influence can be misused, while women like Esther and Ruth show what it means to live in obedience to God.
Final Thoughts
Jezebel’s story is a cautionary tale about what happens when someone rejects God, embraces idolatry, and seeks power at any cost.
Her life was marked by deception, manipulation, and destruction, and in the end, she faced the judgment of God.
Her name has become a symbol of rebellion and wickedness, but her story also serves as a reminder of what happens when people turn away from God.
However, no one is beyond God’s grace.
Unlike Jezebel, we have the opportunity to turn to God, repent, and live a life that honors Him.
God calls people to live in truth, humility, and love, rather than control and manipulation.
By choosing His way, we can avoid the tragic end that Jezebel faced and instead walk in His blessings.