For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, "Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. For the LORD had made a covenant with themThe word "LORD" here is translated from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. The term "covenant" (Hebrew: "berith") signifies a solemn and binding agreement, often initiated by God with His people. This covenant is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing God's unchanging promise and faithfulness. Historically, this covenant was established with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Ten Commandments, setting them apart as His chosen people. This divine agreement underscores the unique relationship between God and Israel, highlighting His expectations of loyalty and obedience. and commanded them
The Hebrew word for "commanded" is "tsavah," which implies a direct and authoritative order. This reflects God's sovereign authority over His people, requiring their adherence to His laws. The commands given by God are not mere suggestions but are binding instructions meant to guide the Israelites in righteous living. This commandment is part of the broader Mosaic Law, which served as a moral, ceremonial, and civil guide for the nation of Israel. 'You shall not fear other gods
The phrase "fear other gods" uses the Hebrew word "yare," which can mean to fear, revere, or stand in awe of. In this context, it refers to the prohibition against revering or worshiping any deity other than YHWH. The historical context reveals that the Israelites were surrounded by polytheistic cultures, which often led them into idolatry. This command is a reaffirmation of the first commandment, emphasizing monotheism and the exclusive worship of the one true God. or bow down to them
"Bowing down" is translated from the Hebrew "shachah," meaning to prostrate oneself in worship or submission. This physical act of worship was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a sign of reverence and allegiance. The Israelites are explicitly forbidden from engaging in such acts towards other gods, reinforcing the call to exclusive worship of YHWH. This prohibition is a safeguard against the syncretism that plagued Israel throughout its history. or serve them
The word "serve" comes from the Hebrew "abad," which means to work or serve, often in the context of worship or religious service. This commandment highlights the danger of devoting one's life and resources to false gods, which would lead to spiritual bondage. Serving other gods would not only violate the covenant but also lead the Israelites away from their true purpose as God's people. or sacrifice to them
"Sacrifice" is translated from the Hebrew "zabach," referring to the act of offering something valuable to a deity. Sacrifices were a central aspect of worship in ancient cultures, symbolizing devotion and appeasement. The Israelites are strictly forbidden from offering sacrifices to any god other than YHWH, as this would constitute a breach of the covenant and an act of spiritual adultery. This command underscores the importance of maintaining purity in worship and devotion to God alone. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-making God of Israel, who commands exclusive worship and loyalty. 2. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, which is the primary audience of this command, often struggling with idolatry. 3. CovenantA solemn agreement between God and His people, emphasizing exclusive worship and obedience. 4. Other godsThe false deities of surrounding nations, which Israel was tempted to worship. 5. Assyrian CaptivityThe context of this passage, where Israel's disobedience led to their exile by the Assyrians. Teaching Points Exclusive WorshipGod demands exclusive worship and loyalty. Just as Israel was commanded not to fear or serve other gods, Christians today are called to worship God alone, avoiding modern forms of idolatry such as materialism or self-worship. Covenant FaithfulnessThe covenant relationship with God requires faithfulness. Believers are reminded of their commitment to God, which involves obedience and devotion, reflecting the seriousness of the covenant. Consequences of DisobedienceIsrael's history serves as a warning. Disobedience and idolatry led to their downfall and exile. Christians are encouraged to learn from this and remain steadfast in their faith. Fear of the LORDThe fear of the LORD is foundational to wisdom and obedience. It involves reverence, awe, and a commitment to follow His commands, recognizing His authority and holiness. Cultural InfluenceJust as Israel was influenced by surrounding nations, Christians must be vigilant against cultural pressures that lead away from God. This involves discernment and a commitment to biblical values. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "fear" other gods, and how can this manifest in modern life? 2. How does the concept of covenant in 2 Kings 17:35 relate to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ? 3. In what ways can Christians today guard against idolatry in their personal lives? 4. How does the history of Israel's disobedience and exile serve as a warning for contemporary believers? 5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your worship and service are directed solely toward God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols, echo the command in 2 Kings 17:35. Deuteronomy 6:13-15Reinforces the command to fear only the LORD and not follow other gods, highlighting the consequences of disobedience. 1 Kings 18:21Elijah's challenge to Israel to choose between the LORD and Baal, illustrating the ongoing struggle with idolatry. Jeremiah 11:10Describes Israel's breaking of the covenant by following other gods, leading to their downfall. Hosea 4:12Speaks to Israel's idolatry and the spiritual adultery of seeking guidance from idols. People Adrammelech, Ahaz, Anammelech, Avites, Avvites, David, Elah, Hoshea, Israelites, Jacob, Jeroboam, Nebat, Pharaoh, Sepharvites, ShalmaneserPlaces Assyria, Avva, Babylon, Bethel, Cuth, Cuthah, Egypt, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Samaria, SepharvaimTopics Agreement, Bow, Charged, Chargeth, Commanded, Covenant, Fear, Gods, Israelites, Maketh, Offerings, Orders, Sacrifice, Saying, Servants, Serve, Worship, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 17:35 1165 God, unique 2 Kings 17:24-41 7560 Samaritans, the 2 Kings 17:34-41 8831 syncretism 2 Kings 17:35-36 8623 worship, of God 2 Kings 17:35-38 8763 forgetting
8799 polytheism 2 Kings 17:35-39 7525 exclusiveness
8315 orthodoxy, in OT
8769 idolatry, in OT Library Divided Worship
'These nations feared the Lord, and served their own gods.'--2 KINGS xvii. 33. The kingdom of Israel had come to its fated end. Its king and people had been carried away captives in accordance with the cruel policy of the great Eastern despotisms, which had so much to do with weakening them by their very conquests. The land had lain desolate and uncultivated for many years, savage beasts had increased in the untilled solitudes, even as weeds and nettles grew in the gardens and vineyards of Samaria. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Kingdom's Epitaph
'In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8. And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture September the Eleventh a Fatal Divorce
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods." --2 KINGS xvii. 24-34. And that is an old-world record, but it is quite a modern experience. The kinsmen of these ancient people are found in our own time. Men still fear one God and serve another. But something is vitally wrong when men can divorce their fear from their obedience. And the beginning of the wrong is in the fear itself. "Fear," as used in this passage, is a counterfeit coin, which does not ring true to the truth. It means only the …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 9 "No man can serve two masters; For either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: For they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions Mongrel Religion
I. I shall first call your attention to THE NATURE OF THIS Mongrel Religion. It had its good and bad points, for it wore a double face. These people were not infidels. Far from it: "they feared the Lord." They did not deny the existence, or the power, or the rights of the great God of Israel, whose name is Jehovah. They had not the pride of Pharaoh who said, "Who is Jehovah that I should obey his voice?" They were not like those whom David calls "fools," who said in their hearts, "There is no God." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Profession and Practice.
18th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. xxii. 42. "What think ye of Christ?" INTRODUCTION.--Many men are Christians neither in understanding nor in heart. Some are Christians in heart, and not in understanding. Some in understanding, and not in heart, and some are Christians in both. If I were to go into a Temple of the Hindoos, or into a Synagogue of the Jews, and were to ask, "What think ye of Christ?" the people there would shake their heads and deny that He is God, and reject His teaching. The …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent The Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian Temper, by which the Reader May be Farther Assisted in Judging what He Is, And
1, 2. The importance of the case engages to a more particular survey what manner of spirit we are of.--3. Accordingly the Christian temper is described, by some general views of it, as a new and divine temper.--4. As resembling that of Christ.--5. And as engaging us to be spiritually minded, and to walk by faith.--6. A plan of the remainder.--7. In which the Christian temper is more particularly considered with regard to the blessed God: as including fear, affection, and obedience.--8, 9. Faith and …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 17:35 NIV2 Kings 17:35 NLT2 Kings 17:35 ESV2 Kings 17:35 NASB2 Kings 17:35 KJV
2 Kings 17:35 Commentaries
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