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Revelation 2

Rev. 2:20 KJV (With Strong’s)

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20
Notwithstanding
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
I have
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
a few things
oligos (Greek #3641)
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
KJV usage: + almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.
Pronounce: ol-ee'-gos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
against
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
thee
sou (Greek #4675)
of thee, thy
KJV usage: X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
Pronounce: soo
Origin: genitive case of 4771
, because
hoti (Greek #3754)
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
KJV usage: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Pronounce: hot'-ee
Origin: neuter of 3748 as conjunction
thou sufferest
eao (Greek #1439)
to let be, i.e. permit or leave alone
KJV usage: commit, leave, let (alone), suffer. See also 1436.
Pronounce: eh-ah'-o
Origin: of uncertain affinity
that woman
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
gune (Greek #1135)
a woman; specially, a wife
KJV usage: wife, woman.
Pronounce: goo-nay'
Origin: probably from the base of 1096
Jezebel
Iezabel (Greek #2403)
Jezabel (i.e. Jezebel), a Tyrian woman (used as a synonym of a termagant or false teacher)
KJV usage: Jezabel.
Pronounce: ee-ed-zab-ale'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (0348)
d, which calleth
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
herself
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
a prophetess
prophetis (Greek #4398)
a female foreteller or an inspired woman
KJV usage: prophetess.
Pronounce: prof-ay'-tis
Origin: feminine of 4396
, to teach
didasko (Greek #1321)
to teach (in the same broad application)
KJV usage: teach.
Pronounce: did-as'-ko
Origin: a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δάω (to learn)
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
to seduce
planao (Greek #4105)
to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)
KJV usage: go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
Pronounce: plan-ah'-o
Origin: from 4106
my
emos (Greek #1699)
my
KJV usage: of me, mine (own), my.
Pronounce: em-os'
Origin: from the oblique cases of 1473 (1698, 1700, 1691)
servants
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
to commit fornication
porneuo (Greek #4203)
to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
KJV usage: commit (fornication).
Pronounce: porn-yoo'-o
Origin: from 4204
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
to eat
phago (Greek #5315)
to eat (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: eat, meat.
Pronounce: fag'-o
Origin: a primary verb (used as an alternate of 2068 in certain tenses)
g things sacrificed unto idols
eidolothuton (Greek #1494)
an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering
KJV usage: (meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to (unto) idols.
Pronounce: i-do-loth'-oo-ton
Origin: neuter of a compound of 1497 and a presumed derivative of 2380
.*
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
d
1 Kings 16:31• 31And it came to pass, as if it was a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshipped him. (1 Kings 16:31)
g
Ex. 34:15• 15lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and then, when they go a whoring after their gods, and sacrifice unto their gods, thou be invited, and eat of their sacrifice, (Ex. 34:15)
;
1 Cor. 10:20,28• 20But that what the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. Now I do not wish you to be in communion with demons.
 28But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake; (1 Cor. 10:20,28)

More on:

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Fornication,
Idolatry,
Jezebel,
Sacrifice,
Servant,
Woman

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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I have.
Rev. 2:4,14• 4but I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first love.
 14But I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices and commit fornication. (Rev. 2:4,14)
that woman.
1 Kings 16:31• 31And it came to pass, as if it was a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshipped him. (1 Kings 16:31)
;
1 Kings 17:4,13• 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the torrent; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
 13And Elijah said to her, Fear not; go, do as thou hast said; but make me thereof a little cake first; and bring it to me; and afterwards make for thee and for thy son. (1 Kings 17:4,13)
;
1 Kings 19:1‑2• 1And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and in detail how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
 2And Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, So do the gods to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time! (1 Kings 19:1‑2)
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1 Kings 21:7‑15,23‑25• 7And Jezebel his wife said to him, Dost thou now exercise sovereignty over Israel? arise, eat bread, and let thy heart be glad: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jizreelite.
 8And she wrote a letter in Ahab's name, and sealed it with his seal, and sent the letter to the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
 9And she wrote in the letter saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people;
 10and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, and they shall bear witness against him saying, Thou didst curse God and the king; and carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
 11And the men of his city, the elders and the nobles that dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as it was written in the letter that she had sent to them:
 12they proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people.
 13And there came the two men, sons of Belial, and sat before him; and the men of Belial witnessed against him, against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth blasphemed God and the king. And they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
 14And they sent to Jezebel saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
 15And it came to pass when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jizreelite, which he refused to give thee for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
 23And of Jezebel also spoke Jehovah saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the moat of Jizreel.
 24Him that dieth of Ahab in the city shall the dogs eat, and him that dieth in the field shall the fowl of the heavens eat.
 25(Surely there was none like to Ahab, who did sell himself to do evil in the sight of Jehovah, Jezebel his wife urging him on. (1 Kings 21:7‑15,23‑25)
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2 Kings 9:7,30‑37• 7And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master; and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah at the hand of Jezebel.
 30And Jehu came to Jizreel; and Jezebel heard of it, and she put paint to her eyes, and decked her head, and looked out at the window.
 31And when Jehu came in at the gate, she said, Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of his master?
 32And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And two or three chamberlains looked out to him.
 33And he said, Throw her down! And they threw her down; and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses; and he trampled on her.
 34And he came in, and ate and drank; and he said, Go, look, I pray you, after this cursed woman, and bury her; for she is a king's daughter.
 35And they went to bury her; but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of the hands.
 36And they came back and told him. And he said, This is the word of Jehovah, which he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite saying, In the plot of Jizreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel;
 37and the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the open field in the plot of Jizreel, so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. (2 Kings 9:7,30‑37)
and to seduce.
Rev. 2:14• 14But I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices and commit fornication. (Rev. 2:14)
;
Ex. 34:15• 15lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and then, when they go a whoring after their gods, and sacrifice unto their gods, thou be invited, and eat of their sacrifice, (Ex. 34:15)
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Num. 25:1‑2• 1And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab.
 2And they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods. (Num. 25:1‑2)
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Acts 15:20,29• 20but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
 29to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:20,29)
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1 Cor. 8:10‑12• 10For if any one see thee, who hast knowledge, sitting at table in an idol-house, shall not his conscience, he being weak, be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to the idol?
 11and the weak one, the brother for whose sake Christ died, will perish through thy knowledge.
 12Now, thus sinning against the brethren, and wounding their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (1 Cor. 8:10‑12)
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1 Cor. 10:18‑21,28• 18See Israel according to flesh: are not they who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar?
 19What then do I say? that what is sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?
 20But that what the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. Now I do not wish you to be in communion with demons.
 21Ye cannot drink the Lord's cup, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.
 28But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake; (1 Cor. 10:18‑21,28)
• But the Jezebel-state is worse even than that, and most significant of the bloody and idolatrous prophetess who sought to be universal mistress in the so-called dark ages, and dark indeed they were! Of this I believe the church in Thyatira to be the remarkable foreshadowing. (“Lectures on Revelation 2:18-3:16: Thyatira” by W. Kelly)
• When Jezebel sat as a queen in Israel all was ruin and confusion; but the Lord did not fail to raise up a suited witness for Himself. (“Lectures on Revelation 2:18-3:16: Thyatira” by W. Kelly)
• Jezebel, as all knew, was one who added violence to corruption, the counsellor of blood, the active hater of all God's witnesses, the patroness in private and public of the idolatrous priests and prophets of Baal. (“Lectures on Revelation 2:18-3:16: Thyatira” by W. Kelly)
• The sin of fornication or adultery here is symbolical of that wicked commerce with the world, which is in the same relation to the Christian or the church, as intermarriage with a Canaanite would have been to an Israelite. To eat idol-sacrifices sets forth communion with what had a direct link with the power of Satan; (“Lectures on Revelation 2:18-3:16: Thyatira” by W. Kelly)
• Jezebel: Systematic allowance of worldliness, immorality and idolatry. (“Revelation 2 Symbols” by A.H. Burton)

J. N. Darby Translation

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20
But I have against thee that thou permittest the womane Jezebel, she who calls herself prophetess, and she teaches and leads astray my servantsf to commit fornication and eat of idol sacrifices.

JND Translation Notes

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e
Some read "thy wife," alluding doubtless to Jezebel's connexion with responsible Ahab. And that is the meaning I believe of "angel"; the symbolical representative of the assembly seen in those responsible in it, which indeed all really are. Hence "thee," and "to you," "to you each," and "the rest."
f
Or "bondmen," as ch. 1.1.

W. Kelly Translation

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20
But I have againsta thee that thou lettest alone the womanb Jezebel that calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and deceiveth my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The words "a few things" is all wrong, and on slender ground. The weight of authority is decisively against any qualifying term here. It was not a little complaint, but one of unusual gravity and complication. The phrase crept in, I conceive, from verse 14, as there is otherwise resemblance enough to suggest such an assimilation to a copyist. But on a closer inspection the difference, is great, especially if we are to read "thy wife Jezebel." [See the following note.]
b
The best MSS. lend their strong support against the insertion of sou (you), as read in many MSS. which would require the rendering of "thy wife."