If you've ever heard the phrase, “She's such a Jezebel" or "that's the Jezebel Spirit" you can probably assume it wasn’t a compliment.
Jezebel, the wicked queen, and wife to the evil King Ahab had a reputation for murder, iniquity, and sexual promiscuity. She not only served as a thorn in the side of the prophet Elijah, but she also led Israel astray in their foreign worship of idols (1 Kings 18).
But is there such a thing as a Jezebel Spirit? Let's take a look at what Scripture teaches us about Jezebel and the spiritual warfare that she engaged in.
Now, we may have heard of Jezebel, but not all of us have heard of something known as a Jezebel spirit. The Bible never strictly has the words Jezebel spirit, but both the Old and New Testaments have negative connotations and symbolism surrounding the name, Jezebel.
Depending on one’s background, and denomination (most often from a charismatic background) the meaning of Jezebel's spirit can differ. But we’ll go with the most overarching definition of a Jezebel spirit: A disposition, or demonic influence, that causes to create rifts in the church and in marriages through cunning, deception, and seduction.
Now let's first take a look a few questions in context to better understand this term. Who was Jezebel? Are there different types of demons and how do they operate? And where does this play into a Jezebel spirit?
Although the Bible doesn’t have any specific verses on the term “Jezebel spirit” we can read plenty about the Phoenician woman turned queen Jezebel, and nothing about her is positive. She is primarily mentioned in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, where her story unfolds alongside her husband, King Ahab of Israel.
Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Sidonians. Her marriage to Ahab, king of Israel, was during a time of political uncertainty in Israel likely a political alliance designed to strengthen ties between Israel and Phoenicia. Jezebel was a fervent worshiper of foreign idols - pagan deites Baal and Asherah, and she sought to re-introduce their worship in Israel, replacing the worship of Yahweh. She built altars and temples for Baal, directly opposing the Israelite prophets and leading many Israelites into idolatry (1 Kings 16:31-33).
Jezebel's pursuit to rid Israel of worship to Yahweh included the persecution and slaughtering the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4), and threatened to kill the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19), and murdered anyone who protested her introduction of Baal worship into the kingdom.
One of the most notorious acts attributed to Jezebel is the plot to seize Naboth’s vineyard. When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab, Jezebel orchestrated false charges against Naboth, leading to his execution and the unlawful acquisition of his property by Ahab (1 Kings 21:1-16).
Jezebel’s life ended violently, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah. She was thrown from a window, trampled by horses, and her body was consumed by dogs, leaving nothing to bury, as foretold by the prophet (2 Kings 9:30-37), but not before she ruined countless lives.
It's important to note that the Bible never explicitly mentions Jezebel as being evil or possessed by a spirit. Her actions where wicked and she was used by satan to destroy God's followers, however it is her behavior that is described and not a specific spirit or demon.
"Nevertheless, I have this against you: 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. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." - Revelation 2:20-23
In the Book of Revelation, Jezebel is mentioned in as a false prophetess in the church of Thyatira. She is accused of leading believers into sexual immorality and idol worship. Jesus condemns her influence, warning of severe consequences if she and her followers do not repent. This reference to Jezebel in the final book of the Bible symbolizes corruption and apostasy within the church, reflecting characteristics associated with the Old Testament Jezebel. The mention serves as a warning against tolerating false teachings and immoral behavior within the Christian community.
The term "Jezebel spirit" has, unfortunately, become a tool to demean and control women within certain Christian circles. We've even seen it used recently in pop culture with movies, books, and songs!
Women with strong opinions, leadership skills, and courage to challenge the status quo, are often labeled as being manipulative and controlling and having a "Jezebel spirit." This label isn’t just an accusation; it’s a weaponized term used to undermine and silence women who step outside traditional roles or exhibit traits like confidence and assertiveness.
Women who are seen as too influential or outspoken are often unfairly branded with this label, reducing their worth to a harmful, unbiblical stereotype. The references to Jezebel in the Old Testament and Revelation do not support the modern concept of a "Jezebel spirit" as a demon possessed woman.
While we must be careful to not assign a "Jezebel spirit" as a demonic figure controlling a person, we need to be aware of evil tactics used to pull believers away from God. We must recognize when we are faced with a spiritual battle that deploys the tools similar to Jezebel's of manipulation, control, and seduction.
Ephesians 4:29 encourages believers to "let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up," reminding us to use our words to uplift rather than tear down. Galatians 3:28 underscores the equality of all in Christ: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." These verses call us to challenge any language or practices that demean or unjustly target women.
Whether we encounter someone who we think has a Jezebel spirit or simply a Christian who has gone astray and seems to display many of the traits linked above, we should do the following.
First, go to God in prayer. Ask him about discernment and how best to handle the situation with someone who has gone astray. And pray for the person who is under the influence of jealousy, hatred, and seduction.
Second, as per church disciplinary measures, we should confront the person and tell them how they have wronged us (Matthew 18:15-20). If they do have traits of a Jezebel spirit, they will most likely not appreciate the criticism.
Third, identify the difference between a demonic influence and a demonic possession. Consult with church leadership about identifying some key differences. Using the phrase "Jezebel spirit" is unbiblical as we do not have specific Scripture references to this term like we do with other named demons in the Bible.
Trust that God will provide you with the words, tools, and Scripture to handle the situation. He can save every lost soul and bring back every prodigal son into his home.
The Bible mentions various spirits and demons, each with different roles and levels of influence. For instance, Ephesians 6:12 speaks of a hierarchy within the spiritual realm, stating, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This verse highlights a structured hierarchy among evil spirits and demons.
Other notable evil entities in the Bible include:
Despite these references, the concept of a "Jezebel spirit" does not fit into this biblical framework of named evil spirits or demons. Therefore, while the Bible acknowledges a hierarchy of evil forces, Jezebel is not described as a part of this demonic hierarchy. The term "Jezebel spirit" is a modern construct not rooted in scriptural descriptions of demonic entities.
Instead of attributing evil behaviors to a so-called "Jezebel spirit," it's important to recognize and address actions that seek to undermine God's work. Focus on the behaviors themselves—such as manipulation, deceit, and idolatry—rather than attributing them to a specific spirit. By doing so, we remain grounded in biblical principles and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This approach helps maintain a focus on personal responsibility and spiritual discernment, ensuring that we address issues constructively and fairly.
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Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.