Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
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Read the Bible
Green's Literal Translation
2 Kings 9:20
And the watchman spoke, saying, He came to them, and he has not returned. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives madly.
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Christian Standard Bible®
Again the watchman reported, “He reached them but hasn’t started back. Also, the driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman.”
Again the watchman reported, “He reached them but hasn’t started back. Also, the driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman.”
Hebrew Names Version
The watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and isn't coming back: and the driving is like the driving of Yehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
The watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and isn't coming back: and the driving is like the driving of Yehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
King James Version
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
English Standard Version
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
New Century Version
The lookout reported, "The second man reached them, but he is not coming back. The man in the chariot is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi. He drives as if he were crazy!"
The lookout reported, "The second man reached them, but he is not coming back. The man in the chariot is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi. He drives as if he were crazy!"
New English Translation
The watchman reported, "He reached them, but hasn't started back. The one who drives the lead chariot drives like Jehu son of Nimshi; he drives recklessly."
The watchman reported, "He reached them, but hasn't started back. The one who drives the lead chariot drives like Jehu son of Nimshi; he drives recklessly."
Amplified Bible
And the watchman reported, "He approached them, but he has not returned; and the driving [of the chariot] is like that of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
And the watchman reported, "He approached them, but he has not returned; and the driving [of the chariot] is like that of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
New American Standard Bible
And the watchman reported, "He came up to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
And the watchman reported, "He came up to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the watchman tolde, saying, He came to them also, but commeth not againe, and the marching is like the marching of Iehu the sonne of Nimshi: for he marcheth furiously.
And the watchman tolde, saying, He came to them also, but commeth not againe, and the marching is like the marching of Iehu the sonne of Nimshi: for he marcheth furiously.
Legacy Standard Bible
And the watchman declared saying, "He came up to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives in madness."
And the watchman declared saying, "He came up to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives in madness."
Contemporary English Version
The guard in the watchtower said, "Your Majesty, the rider got there, but he isn't coming back either. Wait a minute! That one man is a reckless chariot driver—it must be Jehu!"
The guard in the watchtower said, "Your Majesty, the rider got there, but he isn't coming back either. Wait a minute! That one man is a reckless chariot driver—it must be Jehu!"
Complete Jewish Bible
The watchman reported, "He reached them, but he isn't coming back. Also, it looks like the driving of Yehu Nimshi's [grand]son — he's driving like a maniac!"
The watchman reported, "He reached them, but he isn't coming back. Also, it looks like the driving of Yehu Nimshi's [grand]son — he's driving like a maniac!"
Darby Translation
And the watchman told saying, He came to them, and does not return. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
And the watchman told saying, He came to them, and does not return. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
Easy-to-Read Version
The guard told Joram, "The second messenger went to the group, but he has not come back yet. There is a man driving his chariot like a mad man. He is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi."
The guard told Joram, "The second messenger went to the group, but he has not come back yet. There is a man driving his chariot like a mad man. He is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi."
George Lamsa Translation
And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Jimshi; for he drives furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Jimshi; for he drives furiously.
Good News Translation
Once more the guard reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning. And he added, "The leader of the group is driving his chariot like a madman, just like Jehu!"
Once more the guard reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning. And he added, "The leader of the group is driving his chariot like a madman, just like Jehu!"
Lexham English Bible
So the sentinel reported, saying, "He went up to them, but he did not return, and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives with madness."
So the sentinel reported, saying, "He went up to them, but he did not return, and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives with madness."
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the watchman tolde it, and sayde: He is come to them: and commeth not agayne, and the goynge is as it were the goynge of Iehu the sonne of Nimsi: for he dryueth on as he were mad.
And the watchman tolde it, and sayde: He is come to them: and commeth not agayne, and the goynge is as it were the goynge of Iehu the sonne of Nimsi: for he dryueth on as he were mad.
American Standard Version
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
Bible in Basic English
And the watchman gave them word, saying, He went up to them and has not come back again; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu, son of Nimshi, for he is driving violently.
And the watchman gave them word, saying, He went up to them and has not come back again; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu, son of Nimshi, for he is driving violently.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the watchman tolde, saying: He came to them also, and commeth not againe: And the driuing, is lyke the driuing of Iehu the sonne of Nimsi: for he driueth the charet as he were mad.
And the watchman tolde, saying: He came to them also, and commeth not againe: And the driuing, is lyke the driuing of Iehu the sonne of Nimsi: for he driueth the charet as he were mad.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the watchman told, saying: 'He came even unto them, and cometh not back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.'
And the watchman told, saying: 'He came even unto them, and cometh not back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.'
King James Version (1611)
And the watchman tolde, saying, He came euen vnto them, and commeth not againe: and the driuing is like the driuing of Iehu the sonne of Nimshi; for he driueth furiously.
And the watchman tolde, saying, He came euen vnto them, and commeth not againe: and the driuing is like the driuing of Iehu the sonne of Nimshi; for he driueth furiously.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the watchman reported, saying, He came up to them, and has not returned: and the driver drives Ju the son of Namessi, for it is with furious haste.
And the watchman reported, saying, He came up to them, and has not returned: and the driver drives Ju the son of Namessi, for it is with furious haste.
English Revised Version
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
Berean Standard Bible
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi-he is driving like a madman!"
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi-he is driving like a madman!"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli the aspiere telde, and seide, He cam `til to hem, and he turneth not ayen; forsothe the goyng is as the goyng of Hieu, sone of Namsi; sothely he goith faste.
Sotheli the aspiere telde, and seide, He cam `til to hem, and he turneth not ayen; forsothe the goyng is as the goyng of Hieu, sone of Namsi; sothely he goith faste.
Young's Literal Translation
And the watchman declareth, saying, `He came unto them, and he hath not returned, and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi, for with madness he driveth.'
And the watchman declareth, saying, `He came unto them, and he hath not returned, and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi, for with madness he driveth.'
Update Bible Version
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and didn't come back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and didn't come back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and doth not return? and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
And the watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and doth not return? and the driving [is] like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
World English Bible
The watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and isn't coming back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
The watchman told, saying, He came even to them, and isn't coming back: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously.
New King James Version
So the watchman reported, saying, "He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!"
So the watchman reported, saying, "He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!"
New Living Translation
The watchman exclaimed, "The messenger has met them, but he isn't returning either! It must be Jehu son of Nimshi, for he's driving like a madman."
The watchman exclaimed, "The messenger has met them, but he isn't returning either! It must be Jehu son of Nimshi, for he's driving like a madman."
New Life Bible
The watchman told Joram, "He came to them, and he did not return. The leader goes in his war-wagon like a mad man, just like Jehu."
The watchman told Joram, "He came to them, and he did not return. The leader goes in his war-wagon like a mad man, just like Jehu."
New Revised Standard
Again the sentinel reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. It looks like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi; for he drives like a maniac."
Again the sentinel reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. It looks like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi; for he drives like a maniac."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And the watchman told, saying, He came up to them, but hath not turned back, - and, the driving, is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi; for, with mad haste, doth he drive.
And the watchman told, saying, He came up to them, but hath not turned back, - and, the driving, is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi; for, with mad haste, doth he drive.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the watchman told, saying: He came even to them, but returneth not: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu, the son of Namsi; for he drives furiously.
And the watchman told, saying: He came even to them, but returneth not: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu, the son of Namsi; for he drives furiously.
Revised Standard Version
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously."
Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he drives furiously."
THE MESSAGE
The sentry said, "The messenger reached them, but he's not returning. The driving is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi—crazy!"
The sentry said, "The messenger reached them, but he's not returning. The driving is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi—crazy!"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The watchman reported, "He came even to them, and he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
The watchman reported, "He came even to them, and he did not return; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."
Contextual Overview
16 And Jehu rode and went to Jezreel, for Jehoram lay there. And Ahaziah the king of Judah had gone down to see Jehoram. 17 And the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel. And he saw the troop of Jehu as he came. And he said, I see a troop. And Jehoram said, Take a rider, and send to meet them, and let him say, Peace? 18 And the rider on the horse went to meet him, and said, So says the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. And the watchman spoke, saying,The messenger came to them, and he has notreturned. 19 And he sent a second rider on a horse. And he came to them, and said, So says the king, Peace? And Jehu said, What have you to do with peace? Turn behind me. 20 And the watchman spoke, saying, He came to them, and he has not returned. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives madly. 21 And Jehoram said, Harness up! And his chariot was harnessed. And Jehoram the king of Israel and Ahaziah the king of Judah went out, each in his chariot. And they went out to meet Jehu, and found him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 And it happened, when Jehoram saw Jehu, he said, Peace, Jehu? And he said, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of your mother Jezebel and her sorceries are so many? 23 And Jehoram turned his hands and fled, and said to Ahaziah, Treachery, O Ahaziah! 24 And Jehu filled his hand with a bow and struck Jehoram between his arms. And the arrow went out from his heart. And he sank down in his chariot. 25 And Jehu said to his third officer, Bidkar, Take up, throw him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. For, remember, you and I were riding together after his father Ahab, and Jehovah laid this burden on him:
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
driving: or, marching, Habakkuk 1:6, Habakkuk 3:12
for he driveth: 2 Kings 10:16, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 54:16, Daniel 11:44
furiously: Heb. in madness
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:27 - thinketh
Cross-References
Genesis 3:23
Jehovah God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground out of which he was taken.
Jehovah God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground out of which he was taken.
Genesis 4:2
And she continued to bear his brother, Abel. And Abel became a shepherd of flocks. And Cain became a tiller of the ground.
And she continued to bear his brother, Abel. And Abel became a shepherd of flocks. And Cain became a tiller of the ground.
Genesis 5:29
And he called his name Noah, saying, This one shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.
And he called his name Noah, saying, This one shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.
Genesis 9:18
And the sons of Noah that went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham is the father of Canaan.
And the sons of Noah that went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham is the father of Canaan.
Genesis 9:19
These are the three sons of Noah, and the whole earth was overspread from them.
These are the three sons of Noah, and the whole earth was overspread from them.
Genesis 9:24
And Noah awoke from his wine. And he came to know what his younger son had done to him.
And Noah awoke from his wine. And he came to know what his younger son had done to him.
Genesis 9:26
And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; and may Canaan be his slave.
And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; and may Canaan be his slave.
Deuteronomy 20:6
And who is the man that has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, that he not die in battle, and another man use its fruit.
And who is the man that has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, that he not die in battle, and another man use its fruit.
Deuteronomy 28:30
You shall betroth a wife, and another shall lie with her. You shall build a house, and you shall not live in it. You shall plant a vineyard, and shall not use its fruit.
You shall betroth a wife, and another shall lie with her. You shall build a house, and you shall not live in it. You shall plant a vineyard, and shall not use its fruit.
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And the watchman told, saying, he came even unto them, and cometh not again,.... Was detained, as the other was:
and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for, coming nearer, the watchman could discern the manner of his driving:
for he driveth furiously; in great haste, making much speed, being a man of a very warm and active spirit; and now being eager to come up with Joram, and seize him unprepared, and ascend the throne; the Targum is the reverse,
"for he driveth quietly or slowly,''
being desirous of drawing Joram out of the city, and get him into his hands, and slay him, that he might not have the trouble of besieging the place, which was able to hold out some time against him; and besides, he remembered the prophecy of Elisha, that Naboth's blood would be requited in the field of Jezreel, 2 Kings 9:26, and therefore was desirous of drawing him out of the city, in order to slay him there.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The driving ... furiously - The word translated “driving” means “leading” or “conducting” a band. The watchman observed that the “company” (or, multitude) was led forward madly, and associated this strange procedure with the known character of Jehu. It is curious that some versions, as well as Josephus, give an opposite sense: “he driveth quietly.”
Jehu was properly “the grandson” of Nimshi, who was probably a more famous person than Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 9:2.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Kings 9:20. He driveth furiously — Jehu was a bold, daring, prompt, and precipitate general. In his various military operations he had established his character; and now it was almost proverbial.
