2 Kings 9:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophet is to anoint Jehu king with oil and the word of the LORD, then leave immediately.
What Does 2 Kings 9:3 Mean?
The act and the word go together. Oil poured on the head set a man apart for sacred office, and the spoken formula, Thus saith the LORD, makes plain whose authority stands behind it. This is no human ambition seizing a throne; it is God appointing a king. The command to flee at once shows how dangerous the moment is in a kingdom not yet aware of its change.
To be anointed is to be claimed and equipped by God for a task beyond oneself. The oil pointed forward to the One whose very title, Messiah, means the Anointed, who would reign not over one nation but over all. Here a fleeing prophet pours oil in secret; one day the true King would be lifted up in the sight of all. Every faithful anointing in Israel was a small signpost toward Him.
2 Kings 9:3 in the Original Language
anointed (מָשַׁח, mashach) -- to pour oil upon as a sign of being set apart by God; the same root gives the word Messiah.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 9:3
What does 2 Kings 9:3 mean?
The prophet is to anoint Jehu king with oil and the word of the LORD, then leave immediately.