2 Kings 17:21
New International Version
When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

New Living Translation
For when the LORD tore Israel away from the kingdom of David, they chose Jeroboam son of Nebat as their king. But Jeroboam drew Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit a great sin.

English Standard Version
When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD and made them commit great sin.

Berean Standard Bible
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

King James Bible
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

New King James Version
For He tore Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them commit a great sin.

New American Standard Bible
When He had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and misled them into a great sin.

NASB 1995
When He had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit a great sin.

NASB 1977
When He had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD, and made them commit a great sin.

Legacy Standard Bible
When He had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel away from following Yahweh and made them sin a great sin.

Amplified Bible
When He had torn Israel from the [royal] house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit a great sin.

Christian Standard Bible
When the LORD tore Israel from the house of David, Israel made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit grave sin.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the LORD tore Israel from the house of David, Israel made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit great sin.

American Standard Version
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Jehovah, and made them sin a great sin.

Contemporary English Version
Earlier, when the LORD took the northern tribes away from David's family, the people living in northern Israel chose Jeroboam son of Nebat as their king. Jeroboam caused the Israelites to sin and to stop worshiping the LORD.

English Revised Version
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he tore Israel away from the family of David, the people of Israel made Jeroboam (Nebat's son) king. Jeroboam forced Israel away from the LORD and led them to commit a serious sin.

Good News Translation
After the LORD had separated Israel from Judah, the Israelites made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam caused them to abandon the LORD and led them into terrible sins.

International Standard Version
He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin.

Majority Standard Bible
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

NET Bible
He tore Israel away from David's dynasty, and Jeroboam son of Nebat became their king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from the LORD and encouraged them to commit a serious sin.

New Heart English Bible
For he tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

World English Bible
For he tore Israel from David’s house; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for He has torn Israel from the house of David, and they make Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam drives Israel from after YHWH, and has caused them to sin a great sin,

Young's Literal Translation
for He hath rent Israel from the house of David, and they make Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam driveth Israel from after Jehovah, and hath caused them to sin a great sin,

Smith's Literal Translation
For he rent Israel from above the house of David; and they will make Jeroboam son of Nebat, king; and Jeroboam will thrust out Israel king after Jehovah, and he caused them to sin a great sin.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Even from that time, when Israel was rent from the house of David, and made Jeroboam son of Nabat their king: for Jeroboam separated Israel from the Lord, and made them commit a great sin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
even from that time when Israel was torn away from the house of David, and they appointed for themselves Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, as king. For Jeroboam separated Israel from the Lord, and he caused them to sin a great sin.

New American Bible
When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam, son of Nebat, king; but Jeroboam lured the Israelites away from the LORD, causing them to commit a great sin.

New Revised Standard Version
When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD and made them commit great sin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the house of Israel had seceded from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king over themselves; and Jeroboam caused Israel to go astray from following the LORD, and made them sin great sins.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because those of the house Israel had departed from following after David, and they made Yorbaam, son of Nebat, king over them, and Yorbaam led Israel astray after LORD JEHOVAH and caused them to sin great sin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For He rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam drew Israel away from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Forasmuch as Israel revolted from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nabat king: and Jeroboam drew off Israel from following the Lord, and led them to sin a great sin.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel Exiled Because of Idolatry
20So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence. 21When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. 22The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them.…

Cross References
1 Kings 12:19-20
So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David. / When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

1 Kings 11:31-33
and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. / For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.

1 Kings 14:16
So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”

1 Kings 12:26-30
Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” / After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” ...

1 Kings 11:11-13
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

1 Kings 12:15
So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.

1 Kings 12:24
that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD.

Hosea 13:16
Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

Hosea 8:4
They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction.

Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Amos 7:17
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided by a measuring line, and you yourself will die on pagan soil. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’”

2 Chronicles 10:19
So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David.

2 Chronicles 11:4
that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 13:6-7
Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master. / Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them.

2 Chronicles 13:8
And now you think you can resist the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army, and you have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made for you as gods.


Treasury of Scripture

For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

For he rent

1 Kings 11:11,31
Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant…

1 Kings 14:8
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

Isaiah 7:17
The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.

they made

1 Kings 12:19,20
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day…

2 Chronicles 10:15-19
So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat…

Jeroboam drave

1 Kings 12:19,20
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day…

2 Chronicles 10:15-19
So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat…

Jeroboam drave

1 Kings 12:20,28-30
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only…

1 Kings 14:16
And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

2 Chronicles 11:11,15
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine…

a great sin

Genesis 20:9
Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

Exodus 32:21
And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

1 Samuel 2:17,24
Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Broken Caused Commit David Drave Drew Driving Drove Family Following Great House Israel Jeroboam Nebat Rent Sin Tore Torn Turned Violently
Jump to Next
Broken Caused Commit David Drave Drew Driving Drove Family Following Great House Israel Jeroboam Nebat Rent Sin Tore Torn Turned Violently
2 Kings 17
1. Hoshea the Last King of Israel
3. Being subdued by Shalmaneser, he conspires against him with So, king of Egypt
5. Samaria for sinning is led into captivity
24. The strange nations transplanted into Samaria make a mixture of religions.














When the LORD tore Israel away
The phrase "tore Israel away" signifies a decisive and forceful action by God, reflecting His sovereignty and judgment. The Hebrew root for "tore" is "קָרַע" (qara), which conveys the idea of ripping or dividing with intensity. This action underscores the seriousness of Israel's sin and God's response to their persistent idolatry and rebellion. Historically, this division occurred after Solomon's reign, leading to the split of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). This tearing away was not merely political but spiritual, as it represented a departure from the Davidic covenant and the unity under God's chosen leadership.

from the house of David
The "house of David" refers to the dynastic lineage established by God through David, promising an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16). This covenant was central to Israel's identity and hope for a messianic future. The separation from the house of David was a significant theological and national crisis, as it symbolized a break from the divinely ordained leadership and the blessings associated with it. Theologically, this highlights the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king
Jeroboam, originally a servant of Solomon, became the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His rise to power was prophesied by Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29-31), yet it was also a result of Israel's rebellion against the Davidic line. The phrase "they made" indicates the people's active role in choosing a leader contrary to God's established order. Jeroboam's kingship marks a turning point where political expediency overshadowed spiritual fidelity, leading to a legacy of idolatry and apostasy.

Then Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD
Jeroboam's leadership was characterized by a deliberate departure from worshiping Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The Hebrew verb "led away" (הִדִּיחַ, hiddiach) implies causing to stray or seduce, indicating Jeroboam's active role in leading the nation into sin. He established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan, introducing golden calves as objects of worship (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, leading Israel into spiritual adultery and setting a precedent for future kings.

and caused them to commit a great sin
The "great sin" refers to the institutionalized idolatry that Jeroboam introduced, which had lasting repercussions for the northern kingdom. The Hebrew word for "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chattā'ah) denotes a grievous offense against God, emphasizing the severity of their actions. This sin was not just a personal failing but a national transgression that led to the eventual downfall and exile of Israel. It serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments.

(21) For he rent . . .--The verse assigns the fons et origo mali; it makes the secession of the Ten Tribes from the house of David the ultimate cause of their ruin. The "for," therefore, refers to what has just been said in 2Kings 17:18-20.

He rent Israel.--The Hebrew as it stands can only mean Israel rent. The want of an object after the transitive verb favours the suggestion of Thenius that the niphal should be restored: Israel rent himself away (comp. the Vulg., "scissus est"). (If Israel were the object, 'eth should be expressed.)

Drave.--Hebrew text, put far away (Amos 2:3). Hebrew margin, misled (2Chronicles 21:11); the Targum and Syriac "caused to stray." The argument obviously is this--separation from Judah led to the calf-worship, and that to idolatry pure and simple.

Verse 21. - For he rent; rather, for he had rent. The nexus of the verse is with ver. 18. The difference between the fates of Israel and Judah - the survival of Judah for a hundred and thirty-four years - is traced back to the separation under Rehoboam, and to the wicked policy which Jeroboam then pursued, and left as a legacy to his successors. Israel could suffer alone, while Judah was spared, because the kingdom of David and Solomon had been rent in twain, and the two states had thenceforth continued separate. Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord. The separation alone might not have had any ill result; but it was followed by the appointment of Jeroboam as king, and Jeroboam introduced the fatal taint of idolatry, from which all the other evils flowed, including the earlier destruction of the northern kingdom. Jeroboam not only introduced the worship of the calves, but he "drave Israel from following the Lord " - i.e. compelled the people to discontinue the practice of going up to worship at Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 11:13-16), and required them to take part in the calf-worship. And [thus] made them sin a great sin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[the LORD] had torn
קָרַ֣ע (qā·ra‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

away from
מֵעַל֙ (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of David,
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

they made Jeroboam
יָרָבְעָ֣ם (yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nebat
נְבָ֑ט (nə·ḇāṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5028: Nebat -- father of Jeroboam

king,
וַיַּמְלִ֖יכוּ (way·yam·lî·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and Jeroboam
יָרָבְעָ֤ם (yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings

led Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

away from following
מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and caused them to commit
וְהֶחֱטֵיאָ֖ם‪‬ (wə·he·ḥĕ·ṭê·’ām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

a great
גְדוֹלָֽה׃ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

sin.
חֲטָאָ֥ה (ḥă·ṭā·’āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2401: An offence, a sacrifice for, it


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OT History: 2 Kings 17:21 For he tore Israel from the house (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 17:20
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