Jezebel’s Punishment in Revelation 2: Research and Trends

Abstract

In Revelation, John labels a religious teacher in Thyatira ‘Jezebel’, stating that she is ‘teaching and beguiling [Christ’s] servants to practice fornication [πορνεῦσαι] and to eat food sacrificed to idols’ (Rev. 2.20). As punishment, John’s Christ throws her into a bed (βάλλω αὐτὴν εἰς κλίνην, Rev. 2.22). This study examines three major trends in how scholars have translated the phrase ‘βάλλω αὐτὴν εἰς κλίνην’: 1) the phrase has been translated as non-sexual, but rather strictly emblematic for illness; 2) scholars have highlighted the idea that Jezebel is deserving of her punishment, often while acknowledging the irony imbedded in the combined πορν- and κλίνην imagery and 3) readings of the text as an image of sexual violence have become increasingly common. Scholars have attempted to elucidate John’s original purpose in crafting the image, but there is a lacuna of research involving the effect this image has on women readers, despite the authorial intent. Additionally, readings which delve deeply into Jezebel’s punishment with regard to her ‘otherness’ are needed.