Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 10:24

"And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings. Now Jehu had appointed him fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escape, [he that letteth him go], his life shall be for the life of him." — 2 Kings 10:24 (ASV)

When. —Omit.

They went in. —The priests and prophets went into the inner court of the Baal temple, which probably resembled in general construction that of Jehovah at Jerusalem.

Sacrifices and burnt offerings — that is, peace offerings and burnt offerings, which could only be offered in an open court.

Jehu appointed fourscore men without. —Rather, now Jehu had set for himself on the outside (of the building) eighty men.

If any of the men ... life of him. —Literally, The man who escapes from the men whom I am bringing into your hands — his life for his life! This is a little incoherent, as is natural in energetic speech, but the sense is clear.

Thenius, however, suggests that the verb “escapeth” should be pointed as a pihel instead of niphal. This yields: “The man that lets escape any of the men,” etc., an improvement that may be right, although the old versions agree with the present Hebrew pointing of the word.