This Haftarah occurred while King Ahab is in power (871-852 BCE). Ahab's wife, Jezebel, promoted paganism and killed Israelite prophets. In this text, Elijah speaks out against paganism, pleading with them to return to God. Elijah and God are so in sync that the rain will not fall until Elijah wills it. God punishes the people with a drought, and they are suffering as a result.
(א) וַֽיְהִי֙ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים וּדְבַר־יְהֹוָ֗ה הָיָה֙ אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ית לֵאמֹ֑ר לֵ֚ךְ הֵרָאֵ֣ה אֶל־אַחְאָ֔ב וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה מָטָ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃ (ב) וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ לְהֵרָא֖וֹת אֶל־אַחְאָ֑ב וְהָרָעָ֥ב חָזָ֖ק בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃
(1) Much later, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go, appear before Ahab; then I will send rain upon the earth.” (2) Thereupon Elijah set out to appear before Ahab.
The famine was severe in Samaria.
The famine was severe in Samaria.
Rabbeinu Bahya, Vayikra 15:25:2
“it was during these many years when G’d spoke to Elijah in the third year saying to him: ‘show yourself to Achav and I will bring on rain.’” The fact is that this did not take place after three years but it was only a single month after the first year full year of the drought had been completed! The drought began at the beginning of the last month of the year during which Elijah had proclaimed it; it lasted the entire second year, i.e. at the end of the second year no rain had fallen for 13 months. [When G’d told Elijah to reveal himself to Achav, one month had passed of the third year, so that altogether the famine had been in effect for only 14 months. Ed.] Seeing that the period under discussion was one in which hardship and discomfort was experienced, even a relatively short period was described as “many years;” the same is true here.
“it was during these many years when G’d spoke to Elijah in the third year saying to him: ‘show yourself to Achav and I will bring on rain.’” The fact is that this did not take place after three years but it was only a single month after the first year full year of the drought had been completed! The drought began at the beginning of the last month of the year during which Elijah had proclaimed it; it lasted the entire second year, i.e. at the end of the second year no rain had fallen for 13 months. [When G’d told Elijah to reveal himself to Achav, one month had passed of the third year, so that altogether the famine had been in effect for only 14 months. Ed.] Seeing that the period under discussion was one in which hardship and discomfort was experienced, even a relatively short period was described as “many years;” the same is true here.
Radak on I Kings 18:1:2
Because of the drought many people repented and improved their ways. additionally, there were 7 thousand people in Israel who did not bow down to Baal.
Because of the drought many people repented and improved their ways. additionally, there were 7 thousand people in Israel who did not bow down to Baal.
Rabbeinu Bahya. Bereishit 41:56:4
ויחזק הרעב בארץ מצרים, “the famine remained strong in the land of Egypt.” The people, though eating, were not feeling sated. We read of a similar phenomenon in Kings I 18,2 “the famine remained strong in Shomron.”
ויחזק הרעב בארץ מצרים, “the famine remained strong in the land of Egypt.” The people, though eating, were not feeling sated. We read of a similar phenomenon in Kings I 18,2 “the famine remained strong in Shomron.”
(יח) וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ מַה־לִּ֥י וָלָ֖ךְ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים בָּ֧אתָ אֵלַ֛י לְהַזְכִּ֥יר אֶת־עֲוֺנִ֖י וּלְהָמִ֥ית אֶת־בְּנִֽי׃
(18) She said to Elijah, “What harm have I done you, O man of God, that you should come here to recall my sin and cause the death of my son?”
From David to Destruction, Eliyahu HaNavi and the Drought of Faith, Eliyahu HaNavi Performs Techiyat HaMeitim 20
Hashem instructs Eliyahu HaNavi to bring rain. After hearing the Almanah’s rebuke, he is finally ready to move in a positive direction, and orchestrate the enlightening episode of Har HaCarmel to add light and make the Bnei Yisrael worthy of receiving rain.
Hashem instructs Eliyahu HaNavi to bring rain. After hearing the Almanah’s rebuke, he is finally ready to move in a positive direction, and orchestrate the enlightening episode of Har HaCarmel to add light and make the Bnei Yisrael worthy of receiving rain.
(ג) וַיִּקְרָ֣א אַחְאָ֔ב אֶל־עֹבַדְיָ֖הוּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת וְעֹבַדְיָ֗הוּ הָיָ֥ה יָרֵ֛א אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃ (ד) וַֽיְהִי֙ בְּהַכְרִ֣ית אִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֖ת נְבִיאֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֨ח עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ מֵאָ֣ה נְבִיאִ֗ים וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵ֞ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה וְכִלְכְּלָ֖ם לֶ֥חֶם וָמָֽיִם׃ (ה) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַחְאָב֙ אֶל־עֹ֣בַדְיָ֔הוּ לֵ֤ךְ בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֶל־כׇּל־מַעְיְנֵ֣י הַמַּ֔יִם וְאֶ֖ל כׇּל־הַנְּחָלִ֑ים אוּלַ֣י ׀ נִמְצָ֣א חָצִ֗יר וּנְחַיֶּה֙ ס֣וּס וָפֶ֔רֶד וְל֥וֹא נַכְרִ֖ית מֵהַבְּהֵמָֽה׃ (ו) וַֽיְחַלְּק֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ לַֽעֲבׇר־בָּ֑הּ אַחְאָ֞ב הָלַ֨ךְ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ אֶחָד֙ לְבַדּ֔וֹ וְעֹבַדְיָ֛הוּ הָלַ֥ךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ־אֶחָ֖ד לְבַדּֽוֹ׃
(3) Ahab had summoned Obadiah, the steward of the palace. (Obadiah revered the LORD greatly. (4) When Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and provided them with food and drink.) (5) And Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go through the land, to all the springs of water and to all the wadis. Perhaps we shall find some grass to keep horses and mules alive, so that we are not left without beasts.” (6) They divided the country between them to explore it, Ahab going alone in one direction and Obadiah going alone in another direction.
The word jezebel was created based on the woman in the text. What does it mean if someone is called a jezebel? Does that definition line up with what we know about her based on this text?
What does this text tell us about Jezebel? Why do you think she was killing prophets?
What does this text tell us about Jezebel? Why do you think she was killing prophets?
(ז) וַיְהִ֤י עֹֽבַדְיָ֙הוּ֙ בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵלִיָּ֖הוּ לִקְרָאת֑וֹ וַיַּכִּרֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיִּפֹּ֣ל עַל־פָּנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הַאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה אֲדֹנִ֥י אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ (ח) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ אָ֑נִי לֵ֛ךְ אֱמֹ֥ר לַאדֹנֶ֖יךָ הִנֵּ֥ה אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ (ט) וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מֶ֣ה חָטָ֑אתִי כִּֽי־אַתָּ֞ה נֹתֵ֧ן אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֛ בְּיַד־אַחְאָ֖ב לַהֲמִיתֵֽנִי׃ (י) חַ֣י ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אִם־יֶשׁ־גּ֤וֹי וּמַמְלָכָה֙ אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹא־שָׁלַ֨ח אֲדֹנִ֥י שָׁם֙ לְבַקֶּשְׁךָ֔ וְאָמְר֖וּ אָ֑יִן וְהִשְׁבִּ֤יעַ אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ וְאֶת־הַגּ֔וֹי כִּ֖י לֹ֥א יִמְצָאֶֽכָּה׃ (יא) וְעַתָּ֖ה אַתָּ֣ה אֹמֵ֑ר לֵ֛ךְ אֱמֹ֥ר לַאדֹנֶ֖יךָ הִנֵּ֥ה אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ (יב) וְהָיָ֞ה אֲנִ֣י ׀ אֵלֵ֣ךְ מֵאִתָּ֗ךְ וְר֨וּחַ יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ יִֽשָּׂאֲךָ֙ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־אֵדָ֔ע וּבָ֨אתִי לְהַגִּ֧יד לְאַחְאָ֛ב וְלֹ֥א יִֽמְצָאֲךָ֖ וַהֲרָגָ֑נִי וְעַבְדְּךָ֛ יָרֵ֥א אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה מִנְּעֻרָֽי׃ (יג) הֲלֹֽא־הֻגַּ֤ד לַֽאדֹנִי֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֔יתִי בַּֽהֲרֹ֣ג אִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֖ת נְבִיאֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וָאַחְבִּא֩ מִנְּבִיאֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֜ה מֵ֣אָה אִ֗ישׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה וָאֲכַלְכְּלֵ֖ם לֶ֥חֶם וָמָֽיִם׃ (יד) וְעַתָּה֙ אַתָּ֣ה אֹמֵ֔ר לֵ֛ךְ אֱמֹ֥ר לַאדֹנֶ֖יךָ הִנֵּ֣ה אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ וַהֲרָגָֽנִי׃ {ס} (טו) וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ חַ֚י יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָמַ֖דְתִּי לְפָנָ֑יו כִּ֥י הַיּ֖וֹם אֵרָאֶ֥ה אֵלָֽיו׃
(7) Obadiah was on the road, when Elijah suddenly confronted him. [Obadiah] recognized him and flung himself on his face, saying, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?” (8) “Yes, it is I,” he answered. “Go tell your lord: Elijah is here!” (9) But he said, “What wrong have I done, that you should hand your servant over to Ahab to be killed? (10) As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom to which my lord has not sent to look for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that you could not be found. (11) And now you say, ‘Go tell your lord: Elijah is here!’ (12) When I leave you, the spirit of the LORD will carry you off I don’t know where; and when I come and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. Yet your servant has revered the LORD from my youth. (13) My lord has surely been told what I did when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred of the prophets of the LORD, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and drink. (14) And now you say, ‘Go tell your lord: Elijah is here.’ Why, he will kill me!” (15) Elijah replied, “As the LORD of Hosts lives, whom I serve, I will appear before him this very day.”
(טז) וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ עֹבַדְיָ֛הוּ לִקְרַ֥את אַחְאָ֖ב וַיַּגֶּד־ל֑וֹ וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אַחְאָ֖ב לִקְרַ֥את אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ (יז) וַיְהִ֛י כִּרְא֥וֹת אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַחְאָב֙ אֵלָ֔יו הַאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה עֹכֵ֥ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (יח) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לֹ֤א עָכַ֙רְתִּי֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י אִם־אַתָּ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ בַּעֲזׇבְכֶם֙ אֶת־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ אַחֲרֵ֥י הַבְּעָלִֽים׃ (יט) וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁלַ֨ח קְבֹ֥ץ אֵלַ֛י אֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־הַ֣ר הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל וְאֶת־נְבִיאֵ֨י הַבַּ֜עַל אַרְבַּ֧ע מֵא֣וֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים וּנְבִיאֵ֤י הָאֲשֵׁרָה֙ אַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֔וֹת אֹכְלֵ֖י שֻׁלְחַ֥ן אִיזָֽבֶל׃
(16) Obadiah went to find Ahab, and informed him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah. (17) When Ahab caught sight of Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” (18) He retorted, “It is not I who have brought trouble on Israel, but you and your father’s House, by forsaking the commandments of the LORD and going after the Baalim. (19) Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, together with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”-b
Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:6:4
Jezebel... would pamper and feed the prophets of the Baal and the Ashera. And to Elijah the prophet, of blessed memory, who was a true prophet, she sent and said to him: “At this time tomorrow I will render your life like the life of one of them” (I Kings 19:2).
Jezebel... would pamper and feed the prophets of the Baal and the Ashera. And to Elijah the prophet, of blessed memory, who was a true prophet, she sent and said to him: “At this time tomorrow I will render your life like the life of one of them” (I Kings 19:2).
(כ) וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אַחְאָ֖ב בְּכׇל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּקְבֹּ֥ץ אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים אֶל־הַ֥ר הַכַּרְמֶֽל׃ (כא) וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָ֗ם וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ עַד־מָתַ֞י אַתֶּ֣ם פֹּסְחִים֮ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַסְּעִפִּים֒ אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה הָאֱלֹהִים֙ לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְאִם־הַבַּ֖עַל לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֑יו וְלֹא־עָנ֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָֽר׃ (כב) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם אֲנִ֞י נוֹתַ֧רְתִּי נָבִ֛יא לַיהֹוָ֖ה לְבַדִּ֑י וּנְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֔עַל אַרְבַּע־מֵא֥וֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים אִֽישׁ׃ (כג) וְיִתְּנוּ־לָ֜נוּ שְׁנַ֣יִם פָּרִ֗ים וְיִבְחֲר֣וּ לָהֶם֩ הַפָּ֨ר הָאֶחָ֜ד וִינַתְּחֻ֗הוּ וְיָשִׂ֙ימוּ֙ עַל־הָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֣א יָשִׂ֑ימוּ וַאֲנִ֞י אֶעֱשֶׂ֣ה ׀ אֶת־הַפָּ֣ר הָאֶחָ֗ד וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ עַל־הָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א אָשִֽׂים׃ (כד) וּקְרָאתֶ֞ם בְּשֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם וַֽאֲנִי֙ אֶקְרָ֣א בְשֵׁם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֧ה הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲנֶ֥ה בָאֵ֖שׁ ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיַּ֧עַן כׇּל־הָעָ֛ם וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָֽר׃
(20) Ahab sent orders to all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. (21) Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you keep hopping between two opinions?-c If the LORD is God, follow Him; and if Baal, follow him!” But the people answered him not a word. (22) Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only prophet of the LORD left, while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men. (23) Let two young bulls be given to us. Let them choose one bull, cut it up, and lay it on the wood, but let them not apply fire; I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and will not apply fire. (24) You will then invoke your god by name, and I will invoke the LORD by name; and let us agree:-d the god who responds with fire, that one is God.” And all the people answered, “Very good!”
Rabbi Valerie Lieber, The Women's Haftarah Commentary. Turner Publishing Co.
"Neither Jezebel nor Elijah can be fully understood without the other. They are opposites. Jezebel is a foreigner from Phoenicia, while Elijah is a native. She is the daughter of the king of Phoenicia, but he is without lineage. She is so wealthy she can support hundreds of prophets, and he is so destitute he must often beg for food.... Jezebel’s very name is a reference to the god Ba’al. In the Ugaritic language, Jezebel means, “Where is the Prince?”
...Jezebel’s name proclaims her faith in Ba’al, and her belief that he can reverse drought. Jezebel’s life mission is to spread the faith of Ba’al. Conversely, Elijah’s very name, Eli-ya-hu, is a declaration of his Jewish faith: “YHVH is my God.” Elijah’s life work is to spread the belief and teachings of YHVH. Jezebel and Elijah are like walking billboards for their respective God. While their backgrounds are diametrically opposed, their fervor for their religion and the lengths they go to show their devotion are almost identical."
"Neither Jezebel nor Elijah can be fully understood without the other. They are opposites. Jezebel is a foreigner from Phoenicia, while Elijah is a native. She is the daughter of the king of Phoenicia, but he is without lineage. She is so wealthy she can support hundreds of prophets, and he is so destitute he must often beg for food.... Jezebel’s very name is a reference to the god Ba’al. In the Ugaritic language, Jezebel means, “Where is the Prince?”
...Jezebel’s name proclaims her faith in Ba’al, and her belief that he can reverse drought. Jezebel’s life mission is to spread the faith of Ba’al. Conversely, Elijah’s very name, Eli-ya-hu, is a declaration of his Jewish faith: “YHVH is my God.” Elijah’s life work is to spread the belief and teachings of YHVH. Jezebel and Elijah are like walking billboards for their respective God. While their backgrounds are diametrically opposed, their fervor for their religion and the lengths they go to show their devotion are almost identical."
(כה) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ לִנְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֗עַל בַּחֲר֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם הַפָּ֤ר הָאֶחָד֙ וַעֲשׂ֣וּ רִאשֹׁנָ֔ה כִּ֥י אַתֶּ֖ם הָרַבִּ֑ים וְקִרְאוּ֙ בְּשֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א תָשִֽׂימוּ׃ (כו) וַ֠יִּקְח֠וּ אֶת־הַפָּ֨ר אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣ן לָהֶם֮ וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֒ וַיִּקְרְא֣וּ בְשֵׁם־הַ֠בַּ֠עַל מֵהַבֹּ֨קֶר וְעַד־הַצׇּהֳרַ֤יִם לֵאמֹר֙ הַבַּ֣עַל עֲנֵ֔נוּ וְאֵ֥ין ק֖וֹל וְאֵ֣ין עֹנֶ֑ה וַֽיְפַסְּח֔וּ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה׃ (כז) וַיְהִ֨י בַֽצׇּהֳרַ֜יִם וַיְהַתֵּ֧ל בָּהֶ֣ם אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ קִרְא֤וּ בְקוֹל־גָּדוֹל֙ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים ה֔וּא כִּ֣י שִׂ֧יחַ וְכִי־שִׂ֛יג ל֖וֹ וְכִי־דֶ֣רֶךְ ל֑וֹ אוּלַ֛י יָשֵׁ֥ן ה֖וּא וְיִקָֽץ׃ (כח) וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙ בְּק֣וֹל גָּד֔וֹל וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙ כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם בַּחֲרָב֖וֹת וּבָרְמָחִ֑ים עַד־שְׁפׇךְ־דָּ֖ם עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ (כט) וַֽיְהִי֙ כַּעֲבֹ֣ר הַֽצׇּהֳרַ֔יִם וַיִּֽתְנַבְּא֔וּ עַ֖ד לַעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֑ה וְאֵֽין־ק֥וֹל וְאֵין־עֹנֶ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין קָֽשֶׁב׃
(25) Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull and prepare it first, for you are the majority; invoke your god by name, but apply no fire.” (26) They took the bull that was given them; they prepared it, and invoked Baal by name from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and none who responded; so they performed a hopping dance about the altar that had been set up. (27) When noon came, Elijah mocked them, saying, “Shout louder! After all, he is a god. But he may be in conversation, he may be detained, or he may be on a journey,-e or perhaps he is asleep and will wake up.” (28) So they shouted louder, and gashed themselves with knives and spears, according to their practice, until the blood streamed over them. (29) When noon passed, they kept raving-f until the hour of presenting the meal offering. Still there was no sound, and none who responded or heeded.
(ל) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֤הוּ לְכׇל־הָעָם֙ גְּשׁ֣וּ אֵלַ֔י וַיִּגְּשׁ֥וּ כׇל־הָעָ֖ם אֵלָ֑יו וַיְרַפֵּ֛א אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח יְהֹוָ֖ה הֶֽהָרֽוּס׃ (לא) וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ אֲבָנִ֔ים כְּמִסְפַּ֖ר שִׁבְטֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־יַעֲקֹ֑ב אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִֽהְיֶ֥ה שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (לב) וַיִּבְנֶ֧ה אֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֛ים מִזְבֵּ֖חַ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיַּ֣עַשׂ תְּעָלָ֗ה כְּבֵית֙ סָאתַ֣יִם זֶ֔רַע סָבִ֖יב לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (לג) וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִ֑ים וַיְנַתַּח֙ אֶת־הַפָּ֔ר וַיָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־הָעֵצִֽים׃ (לד) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מִלְא֨וּ אַרְבָּעָ֤ה כַדִּים֙ מַ֔יִם וְיִֽצְק֥וּ עַל־הָעֹלָ֖ה וְעַל־הָעֵצִ֑ים וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁנוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁנ֔וּ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר שַׁלֵּ֖שׁוּ וַיְשַׁלֵּֽשׁוּ׃ (לה) וַיֵּֽלְכ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם סָבִ֖יב לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְגַ֥ם אֶת־הַתְּעָלָ֖ה מִלֵּא־מָֽיִם׃ (לו) וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֗ה וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ אֵלִיָּ֣הוּ הַנָּבִיא֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ יְהֹוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אַבְרָהָם֙ יִצְחָ֣ק וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיּ֣וֹם יִוָּדַ֗ע כִּֽי־אַתָּ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַאֲנִ֣י עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (ובדבריך) [וּבִדְבָרְךָ֣] עָשִׂ֔יתִי אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (לז) עֲנֵ֤נִי יְהֹוָה֙ עֲנֵ֔נִי וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְאַתָּ֛ה הֲסִבֹּ֥תָ אֶת־לִבָּ֖ם אֲחֹרַנִּֽית׃ (לח) וַתִּפֹּ֣ל אֵשׁ־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַתֹּ֤אכַל אֶת־הָעֹלָה֙ וְאֶת־הָֽעֵצִ֔ים וְאֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֖ים וְאֶת־הֶֽעָפָ֑ר וְאֶת־הַמַּ֥יִם אֲשֶׁר־בַּתְּעָלָ֖ה לִחֵֽכָה׃ (לט) וַיַּרְא֙ כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ יְהֹוָה֙ ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים יְהֹוָ֖ה ה֥וּא הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
(30) Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come closer to me”; and all the people came closer to him. He repaired the damaged altar of the LORD. (31) Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—to whom the word of the LORD had come: “Israel shall be your name”— (32) and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. Around the altar he made a trench large enough for two seahs of seed. (33) He laid out the wood, and he cut up the bull and laid it on the wood. (34) And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it over the burnt offering and the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time”; and they did it a second time. “Do it a third time,” he said; and they did it a third time. (35) The water ran down around the altar, and even the trench was filled with water. (36) When it was time to present the meal offering, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel! Let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your bidding. (37) Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God; for You have turned their hearts backward.”-e (38) Then fire from the LORD descended and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the earth; and it licked up the water that was in the trench. (39) When they saw this, all the people flung themselves on their faces and cried out: “The LORD alone is God, The LORD alone is God!”
What is this story really all about?
What kind of a leader is Ahab? Is he a sinner? A worthy leader? Why did he merit leadership for 22 years?
What kind of a leader is Ahab? Is he a sinner? A worthy leader? Why did he merit leadership for 22 years?
Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:2
(2) Three prominent kings mentioned in the Bible... are described in the Bible as men of great wisdom have no share in the World-to-Come. The three kings are: Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and Ahab, both of whom were kings of Israel, and Manasseh, king of Judea.
(2) Three prominent kings mentioned in the Bible... are described in the Bible as men of great wisdom have no share in the World-to-Come. The three kings are: Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and Ahab, both of whom were kings of Israel, and Manasseh, king of Judea.
Sanhedrin 102b
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what virtue was Ahab privileged to ascend to the monarchy and rule for twenty-two years? It is due to the fact that he respected the Torah, which was given with twenty-two letters.
(When Ben-Hadad asked for Ahab's silver, gold, and wives, he agreed, but he did not give him everything but"the delight of your eyes." The Rabbis speculate that this may have been the Torah scroll, which he treated with deference. They argue that it was not an object of idol worship, since the elders had advised him to keep it).
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what virtue was Ahab privileged to ascend to the monarchy and rule for twenty-two years? It is due to the fact that he respected the Torah, which was given with twenty-two letters.
(When Ben-Hadad asked for Ahab's silver, gold, and wives, he agreed, but he did not give him everything but"the delight of your eyes." The Rabbis speculate that this may have been the Torah scroll, which he treated with deference. They argue that it was not an object of idol worship, since the elders had advised him to keep it).
Bava Metziah 59a
Rav says: Anyone who follows the counsel of his wife descends into Gehenna, as it is stated: “But there was none like Ahab, who did give himself over to do that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife incited” (I Kings 21:25). Rav Pappa said to Abaye: But don’t people say a popular proverb: If your wife is short, stoop and whisper to her and consult with her? The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as this statement of Rav instructs that one not follow her counsel in general matters; and that proverb instructs that one follow her counsel in household matters. The Gemara presents another version of this distinction: This statement of Rav maintains that one should not follow her counsel in divine matters; and that proverb maintains that one should follow her counsel in general matters.
Rav says: Anyone who follows the counsel of his wife descends into Gehenna, as it is stated: “But there was none like Ahab, who did give himself over to do that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife incited” (I Kings 21:25). Rav Pappa said to Abaye: But don’t people say a popular proverb: If your wife is short, stoop and whisper to her and consult with her? The Gemara answers: This is not difficult, as this statement of Rav instructs that one not follow her counsel in general matters; and that proverb instructs that one follow her counsel in household matters. The Gemara presents another version of this distinction: This statement of Rav maintains that one should not follow her counsel in divine matters; and that proverb maintains that one should follow her counsel in general matters.
Sanhedrin 102b
Rav Naḥman says: Ahab was balanced in terms of the mitzvot and transgressions that he performed, as it is stated: “And the Lord said, who shall entice Ahab that he may ascend and fall at Ramoth Gilead? And this one said in this manner, and that one said in that manner” (I Kings 22:20), indicating that it is unclear whether or not he was a full-fledged transgressor. Rav Yosef objects to this statement: This is the person about whom the prophet wrote: “But there was none like Ahab who devoted himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife had incited” (I Kings 21:25). And we learn in a baraita: Every day she would weigh gold shekels equal to Ahab’s weight for idol worship. And you say he was balanced? Rather, Ahab was generous with his money and did not scrimp, and since he also benefited Torah scholars with his property, the heavenly court expiated half his sins for him. The result was a balance between mitzvot and transgressions. With regard to God’s search for a volunteer to entice Ahab, it is written: “And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said: I will entice him. And the Lord said to him: With what? And he said: I will go out, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: You shall entice him, and also prevail; go out, and do so” (I Kings 22:21–22). The Gemara asks: What spirit was that? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It was the spirit of Naboth the Jezreelite, who sought to take revenge against Ahab.... The spirit of Naboth that sought revenge was expelled from before God. With regard to the verse: “And Ahab made the ashera; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (I Kings 16:33), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It means that he wrote on the doors of Samaria: Ahab denies the existence of the God of Israel, therefore he has no share in the God of Israel. With regard to the verse: “And he sought Ahaziah (his son), and they apprehended him, for he was hiding in Samaria” (II Chronicles 22:9), Rabbi Levi says: What would he do in hiding? He would excise mentions of God’s name in Torah scrolls and write the name of an object of idol worship in their stead.
Rav Naḥman says: Ahab was balanced in terms of the mitzvot and transgressions that he performed, as it is stated: “And the Lord said, who shall entice Ahab that he may ascend and fall at Ramoth Gilead? And this one said in this manner, and that one said in that manner” (I Kings 22:20), indicating that it is unclear whether or not he was a full-fledged transgressor. Rav Yosef objects to this statement: This is the person about whom the prophet wrote: “But there was none like Ahab who devoted himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife had incited” (I Kings 21:25). And we learn in a baraita: Every day she would weigh gold shekels equal to Ahab’s weight for idol worship. And you say he was balanced? Rather, Ahab was generous with his money and did not scrimp, and since he also benefited Torah scholars with his property, the heavenly court expiated half his sins for him. The result was a balance between mitzvot and transgressions. With regard to God’s search for a volunteer to entice Ahab, it is written: “And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said: I will entice him. And the Lord said to him: With what? And he said: I will go out, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said: You shall entice him, and also prevail; go out, and do so” (I Kings 22:21–22). The Gemara asks: What spirit was that? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It was the spirit of Naboth the Jezreelite, who sought to take revenge against Ahab.... The spirit of Naboth that sought revenge was expelled from before God. With regard to the verse: “And Ahab made the ashera; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (I Kings 16:33), Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It means that he wrote on the doors of Samaria: Ahab denies the existence of the God of Israel, therefore he has no share in the God of Israel. With regard to the verse: “And he sought Ahaziah (his son), and they apprehended him, for he was hiding in Samaria” (II Chronicles 22:9), Rabbi Levi says: What would he do in hiding? He would excise mentions of God’s name in Torah scrolls and write the name of an object of idol worship in their stead.
וְכִי מֶה עָשָׂה אַחְאָב. כָּתוֹב וַיְהִי֙ הֲנָקִ֣ל לֶכְתּ֔וֹ בְּחַטֹּ֖אות יָֽרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט. וַהֲלֹא קוּלּוֹתָיו שֶׁל אַחְאָב הֵם כְּחוּמְרוֹתָיו שֶׁלְּיָרָבְעָם. וְלָמָּה נִמְנָה יָרָבְעָם תְּחִילָּה. שֶׁהוּא הִתְחִיל בַּקַּלְקָּלָה תְחִילָּה. מָה הֲוָה אַחְאָב עֲבִיד. הֲוָה מְקַשֵּׁט גַּרְמֵיהּ בְּכָל־יוֹם וְקָאִים לֵיהּ קוֹמֵי חִיאֵל אִסְרָטִילָטֵיהּ. וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ. בְּכַמָּה אֲנָא טָב יוֹמָא דֵין. וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ. כִֵּן וָכֵן. וְהוּא מַפְרִישׁ טִימִיתֵיהּ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. הָדָא הוּא דִכְתְיב יַ֚עַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ֔ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְי. רִבִּי לֵוִי עֲבַד דְּרַשׁ הָדֵין קִרָייָא אֲשִׁתָּא יַרְחִין לִגְנַאי. רַ֚ק לֹֽא־הָיָ֣ה כְאַחְאָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִתְמַכֵּ֔ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְי. אֲתַא לְגַבֵּיהּ בַּלֵּילְיָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ. מֶה חָטִית לָךְ וּמַה סָֽרְחִית קֳדָמָךְ. אִית לָךְ רֵישֵׁיהּ דִּפְסוּקָה וְלֵית לָךְ סוֹפֵיהּ אֲשֶֽׁר־הֵסַ֥תָּה אוֹתוֹ אִיזֶ֥בֶל אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃ עֲבַד דְּרַשׁ לֵיהּ שִׁתָּא יַרְחִין לִשְׁבָח. רַ֚ק לֹֽא־הָיָ֣ה כְאַחְאָ֔ב אֲשֶֽׁר־הֵסַ֥תָּה אֹת֖וֹ אִיזֶ֥בֶל אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃
So what did Aḥab do? It is written: If it would have been too easy to follow the sins of Jeroboam ben Nevat. Are not the light sins of Aḥab the serious sins of Jeroboam? Why was Jeroboam counted first? Because he started the misconduct. What did Aḥab do? He adorned himself every day and stood before his army commander Ḥiel, asking him, for how much am I good today? He answered him, so and so much; then he donated its value to foreign worship. That is what is written Because you sold yourself to do evil in the Eternal’s eyes. Rebbi Levi continued for six months to explain the following verse to shame There never was anyone like Aḥab who sold himself to do evil in the Eternal’s eyes. He came to him at night and asked him, how did I sin against you, what did I do before you? You have the first part of the verse, but you do not have the end of the verse: whom his wife Jezebel had misguided. He continued for six months to explain it as praise, only one should not be like Aḥab … whom his wife Jezebel had misguided.
Tamar Kadari, Jewish Women's Archive
Another midrash adds that Jezebel and her seventy sons also lost both this world and the next. This is similar to a king whose servant brings him a gift of seventy jugs of oil, while saying things that ire the monarch. In the latter’s anger, he smashes all the jugs and spills out all the oil that his servant had brought him. This parable portrays the sons of Jezebel as good oil that has nothing wrong with it, but who were punished because their parents had vexed God by their own idolatry. The midrash continues that Jezebel was the cause of all this, by exerting a negative influence on her family and by destroying her house with her own hands. Prov. 14:1: “but folly tears it down with its own hands” aptly describes Jezebel and other women of her ilk (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 10).
Another midrash adds that Jezebel and her seventy sons also lost both this world and the next. This is similar to a king whose servant brings him a gift of seventy jugs of oil, while saying things that ire the monarch. In the latter’s anger, he smashes all the jugs and spills out all the oil that his servant had brought him. This parable portrays the sons of Jezebel as good oil that has nothing wrong with it, but who were punished because their parents had vexed God by their own idolatry. The midrash continues that Jezebel was the cause of all this, by exerting a negative influence on her family and by destroying her house with her own hands. Prov. 14:1: “but folly tears it down with its own hands” aptly describes Jezebel and other women of her ilk (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 10).
Esther Rabbah 3:2
“Also, Vashti the queen made a women’s banquet in the royal palace of King Aḥashverosh” (Esther 1:9). Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Simon began: “My people, its oppressors are babes and women govern them” (Isaiah 3:12).... “And women govern them” – four women assumed dominion in the world: Jezebel and Atalya from Israel, and Shemiramit and Vashti from the nations of the world.
“Also, Vashti the queen made a women’s banquet in the royal palace of King Aḥashverosh” (Esther 1:9). Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Simon began: “My people, its oppressors are babes and women govern them” (Isaiah 3:12).... “And women govern them” – four women assumed dominion in the world: Jezebel and Atalya from Israel, and Shemiramit and Vashti from the nations of the world.
Tamar Kadari, Jewish Women's Archive
Despite their negative description of Jezebel, the Rabbis did not refrain from enumerating her merits when she was worthy of praise. When Elijah forecasts Jezebel’s end he prophecies (I Kings 21:23): “The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the field of Jezreel.” This prophecy is only partially fulfilled, for when her body is eaten by the dogs, they leave her feet and hands (II Kings 9:35). The midrash explains that these parts remained because of the acts of kindness that Jezebel performed with them. Jezebel’s home was close to the marketplace, and whenever a funeral procession passed by, she would come forth from her house, strike with her hands, lament with her mouth, and walk ten paces. When a bridegroom passed through the marketplace, she would come out, clap her hands, call out with her mouth, and walk ten steps after him (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer [ed. Higger], chap. 17). This midrashic account teaches that God rewards good deeds, even in a wicked woman, since the limbs that performed laudable acts were the recipients of divine lovingkindness.
Despite their negative description of Jezebel, the Rabbis did not refrain from enumerating her merits when she was worthy of praise. When Elijah forecasts Jezebel’s end he prophecies (I Kings 21:23): “The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the field of Jezreel.” This prophecy is only partially fulfilled, for when her body is eaten by the dogs, they leave her feet and hands (II Kings 9:35). The midrash explains that these parts remained because of the acts of kindness that Jezebel performed with them. Jezebel’s home was close to the marketplace, and whenever a funeral procession passed by, she would come forth from her house, strike with her hands, lament with her mouth, and walk ten paces. When a bridegroom passed through the marketplace, she would come out, clap her hands, call out with her mouth, and walk ten steps after him (Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer [ed. Higger], chap. 17). This midrashic account teaches that God rewards good deeds, even in a wicked woman, since the limbs that performed laudable acts were the recipients of divine lovingkindness.
Rabbi Valerie Lieber, The Women's Haftarah Commentary. Turner Publishing Co.
Had Jezebel been on the side of Judaism and a supporter of YHVH, she would be praised for all the attributes for which she is maligned. She is condemned by tradition for everything she does well, because she acts on behalf of monotheism’s enemy. While Elijah leaves the world in a chariot of fire with a reputation for courage, compassion, and goodness, Jezebel’s courage, loyalty, and power are usually forgotten. Yet without Jezebel, Elijah would not have risen to glory, nor captured the imagination of the Jewish people. Without Jezebel’s opposition, the final words of this haftarah portion would be less powerful: “The Eternal alone is God; The Eternal alone is God” (I Kings 18:39). These are the words with which we end our Yom Kippur prayers each year, a reminder of our own fidelity to the One God.
Had Jezebel been on the side of Judaism and a supporter of YHVH, she would be praised for all the attributes for which she is maligned. She is condemned by tradition for everything she does well, because she acts on behalf of monotheism’s enemy. While Elijah leaves the world in a chariot of fire with a reputation for courage, compassion, and goodness, Jezebel’s courage, loyalty, and power are usually forgotten. Yet without Jezebel, Elijah would not have risen to glory, nor captured the imagination of the Jewish people. Without Jezebel’s opposition, the final words of this haftarah portion would be less powerful: “The Eternal alone is God; The Eternal alone is God” (I Kings 18:39). These are the words with which we end our Yom Kippur prayers each year, a reminder of our own fidelity to the One God.