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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 17:15 They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and themselves became worthless, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/17-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/12_2Ki_17_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 17:15 - Israel Exiled Because of Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. 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They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, &#8220Do not do as they do.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the LORD’s command not to imitate them. <a href="/esv/2_kings/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/17.htm">King James Bible</a> And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/17.htm">New King James Version</a> And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His warnings which He gave them. And they followed idols and became empty, and followed the nations that surrounded them, about which the LORD had commanded them not to do as they did. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers and His warnings with which He warned them. And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the LORD had commanded them not to do like them. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His warnings with which He warned them. And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the LORD had commanded them not to do like them. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> They also rejected His statutes and His covenant which He cut with their fathers and His warnings with which He warned them. And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which Yahweh had commanded them not to do like them. <a href="/amp/2_kings/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, as well as His warnings that he gave them. And they followed vanity [that is, false gods, idols] and became vain (empty-headed). They followed the [pagan practices of the] nations which surrounded them, although the LORD had commanded that they were not to do as they did. <a href="/csb/2_kings/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They rejected his statutes and his covenant he had made with their ancestors and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the surrounding nations the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They rejected His statutes and His covenant He had made with their ancestors and the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the surrounding nations the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/asv/2_kings/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified unto them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them. <a href="/cev/2_kings/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They ignored the LORD's warnings and commands, and they rejected the solemn agreement he had made with their ancestors. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. The LORD had told the Israelites not to do the things that the foreign nations around them were doing, but Israel became just like them. <a href="/erv/2_kings/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified unto them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They rejected his decrees, the promise he made to their ancestors, and the warnings he had given them. They went after worthless idols and became as worthless as the idols. They behaved like the nations around them, although the LORD had commanded them not to do that. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> They refused to obey his instructions, they did not keep the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they disregarded his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves, and they followed the customs of the surrounding nations, disobeying the LORD's command not to imitate them. <a href="/isv/2_kings/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness—and became meaningless themselves—as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. <a href="/msb/2_kings/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/net/2_kings/17.htm">NET Bible</a> They rejected his rules, the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and the laws he had commanded them to obey. They paid allegiance to worthless idols, and so became worthless to the LORD. They copied the practices of the surrounding nations in blatant disregard of the LORD's command. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. <a href="/web/2_kings/17.htm">World English Bible</a> They rejected his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom Yahweh had commanded them that they should not do like them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and reject His statutes and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies that He testified against them, and go after the vain thing, and become vain, and after the nations that are around them, of whom YHWH commanded them not to do like them. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and reject His statutes and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies that He testified against them, and go after the vain thing, and become vain, and after the nations that are round about them, of whom Jehovah commanded them not to do like them; <a href="/slt/2_kings/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will reject his laws and his covenant which he cut out with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified in them; and they will go after vanity, and they will be vain, and after the nations which were round about them which Jehovah commanded them not to do as they.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they rejected his ordinances and the covenant that he made with their fathers, and the testimonies which he testified against them: and they followed vanities, and acted vainly: and they followed the nations that were round about them, concerning which the Lord had commanded them that they should not do as they did. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they cast aside his ordinances, and the covenant that he formed with their fathers, and the testimonies which he testified to them. And they pursued vanities and acted vainly. And they followed the nations that were all around them, concerning the things which the Lord had commanded them not to do, and which they did. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/17.htm">New American Bible</a> They rejected his statutes, the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and the warnings he had given them. They followed emptiness and became empty; they followed the surrounding nations whom the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They despised his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their ancestors, and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false; they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do as they did.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they rejected my covenants, and my statutes which I commanded to their fathers and the testimonies which I testified against them; and they followed vanity and gained nothing, and they followed the nations concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they rejected my covenant and my commandments that I commanded their fathers, and the testimonies that I testified to them, and they went after nothing and they gained nothing, but they went after the Gentiles concerning which LORD JEHOVAH commanded them: ”You shall not do as they do”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and they rejected His statutes, and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies wherewith He testified against them; and they went after things of nought, and became nought, and after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them; <a href="/sep/2_kings/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they kept not any of his testimonies which he charged them; and they walked after vanities, and became vain, and after the nations round about them, concerning which the Lord had charged them not to do accordingly. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/17-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=5837" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Israel Exiled Because of Idolatry</a> …14But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. 15<a href="/hebrew/3988.htm" title="3988: way·yim·’ă·sū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To spurn, to disappear. A primitive root; to spurn; also to disappear.">They rejected</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2706.htm" title="2706: ḥuq·qāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Something prescribed or owed, a statute. From chaqaq; an enactment; hence, an appointment.">His statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rî·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">and the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: kā·raṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">He had made</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5715.htm" title="5715: ‘ê·ḏə·wō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Testimony. Feminine of ed; testimony.">as well as the decrees</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5749.htm" title="5749: hê·‘îḏ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify; intensively, to encompass, restore.">He had given</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">They pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: ha·he·ḇel (Art:: N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">worthless idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/1891.htm" title="1891: way·yeh·bā·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To act emptily, become vain. A primitive root; to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray.">and themselves became worthless,</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: wə·’a·ḥă·rê (Conj-w:: Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">going after</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯām (Adv:: 3mp) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">the surrounding</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">had commanded them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1115.htm" title="1115: lə·ḇil·tî (Prep-l) -- Constructive feminine of balah; properly, a failure of, i.e. not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śō·wṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to imitate.</a> <a href="/hebrew/kā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> 16They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5</a> This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a> They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding. <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a> Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14-15</a> Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish. <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a> All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... <a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Hosea 9:10</a> I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a> Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. <a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Exodus 32:8</a> How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Judges 2:12-13</a> Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. <a href="/1_kings/16-13.htm">1 Kings 16:13</a> This happened because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">2 Chronicles 36:16</a> But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. <a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm">Ezekiel 20:16</a> because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols. <a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Acts 7:39-41</a> But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. / They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ / At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. <a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a> Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.they rejected<a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?his covenant<a href="/exodus/24-6.htm">Exodus 24:6-8</a> And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar… <a href="/deuteronomy/29-10.htm">Deuteronomy 29:10-15,25,26</a> Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, … <a href="/jeremiah/31-32.htm">Jeremiah 31:32</a> Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:testimonies<a href="/deuteronomy/6-17.htm">Deuteronomy 6:17,18</a> Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee… <a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15,16</a> And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: … <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nehemiah 9:26,29,30</a> Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations… vanity<a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21,31</a> They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation… <a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a> And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.<a href="/1_kings/16-13.htm">1 Kings 16:13</a> For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.became vain<a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5</a> Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?<a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened… <a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4</a> As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.concerning whom<a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">2 Kings 17:8,11,12</a> And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/13-9.htm">Charged</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-6.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-8.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-11.htm">Round</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-3.htm">Testimonies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-13.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-28.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Charged</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-27.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-41.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-19.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-26.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-26.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-20.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-2.htm">Round</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-19.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-19.htm">Testified</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">Testimonies</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/job/7-3.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-6.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 17</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/17-1.htm">Hoshea the Last King of Israel</a> 3. <a href="/2_kings/17-3.htm">Being subdued by Shalmaneser, he conspires against him with So, king of Egypt</a> 5. <a href="/2_kings/17-5.htm">Samaria for sinning is led into captivity</a> 24. <a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">The strange nations transplanted into Samaria make a mixture of religions.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The statutes refer to the laws given at Sinai, which were meant to set Israel apart as a holy nation. The rejection signifies a breach of the relationship God intended, leading to spiritual and national consequences. This disobedience is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where blessings and curses are outlined based on Israel's adherence to God's commands.as well as the decrees He had given them The decrees are specific commands and ordinances that were part of the Mosaic Law. These were intended to guide Israel in worship, justice, and community life. By ignoring these decrees, Israel not only disobeyed God but also disrupted the social and religious order He established. This disobedience is echoed in the prophetic writings, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/11-10.htm">Jeremiah 11:10</a>, where the people's failure to follow God's decrees leads to judgment.They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves This phrase underscores the futility of idolatry. The term "worthless" reflects the Hebrew word "hebel," often translated as "vanity" or "emptiness," indicating the idols' lack of substance and power. By pursuing these idols, Israel not only turned away from the true God but also degraded their own identity and purpose. This concept is mirrored in <a href="/psalms/115-8.htm">Psalm 115:8</a>, which states that those who make idols will become like them, emphasizing the transformative power of worship, whether for good or ill.going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate God's command for Israel to remain distinct from surrounding nations is rooted in passages like <a href="/leviticus/18-3.htm">Leviticus 18:3</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">Deuteronomy 18:9</a>. These nations often engaged in practices contrary to God's laws, such as idolatry and immorality. By imitating them, Israel compromised their unique calling as God's chosen people. This imitation led to their downfall, as seen in the historical context of the Assyrian conquest, which was a direct result of their failure to remain separate and faithful to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The Northern Kingdom of Israel, who are the primary subjects of this verse, having turned away from God. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-making God who established statutes and laws for His people to follow. 3. <a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a> The sacred agreement between God and the Israelites, which they broke by turning to idolatry. 4. <a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a> The false gods and images that the Israelites pursued, leading them away from the true God. 5. <a href="/topical/s/surrounding_nations.htm">Surrounding Nations</a> The pagan nations whose practices and idols the Israelites imitated, contrary to God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a> Idolatry leads to spiritual and moral decay. Just as the Israelites became like the worthless idols they pursued, we too can become spiritually bankrupt when we place anything above God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> God's statutes and covenant are given for our benefit. Obedience to His commands leads to life and blessing, while disobedience leads to destruction. <a href="/topical/i/influence_of_culture.htm">Influence of Culture</a> The Israelites' downfall was partly due to their imitation of surrounding nations. As Christians, we must be vigilant not to conform to the world's standards but to be transformed by God's Word. <a href="/topical/t/the_faithfulness_of_god.htm">The Faithfulness of God</a> Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His covenant. This should encourage us to return to Him in repentance and faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a> We are called to be set apart, just as Israel was. Our lives should reflect God's holiness and not the values of the world around us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 17</a> <a href="/q/does_the_damascus_altar_conflict_with_exodus.htm">Does the altar design brought from Damascus (2 Kings 16:10–11) conflict with earlier temple instructions in Exodus and Leviticus? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'heathen'_mean.htm">What does "heathen" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_common_pagan_practices.htm">What are common pagan practices?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_psalm_96_5_with_other_deities.htm">Psalm 96:5 says “all the gods of the nations are idols,” so how can this claim be reconciled with historical evidence of other thriving religious traditions and deities? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) And they followed vanity, and became Vain.--The same expression occurs in <a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm" title="Thus said the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?">Jeremiah 2:5</a>. The word "vanity" (hebel) has the article. It denotes strictly breath; and then that which is as transient as a breath. (Comp. <a href="/job/7-16.htm" title="I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.">Job 7:16</a>.) Here the idols and their worship are intended. The cognate verb, "became vain," means "dealt (or, 'talked;' <a href="/job/27-12.htm" title="Behold, all you yourselves have seen it; why then are you thus altogether vain?">Job 27:12</a>) foolishly." The LXX. has ????????????. (Comp. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm" title="Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.">Romans 1:21</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers. The covenant made at Sinai, first by the people generally (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-8</a>), and then by their formal representatives (<a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3-8</a>), was, on their part, a solemn promise that "all which the Lord commanded them they would do." Rejecting the "statutes" of God was thus rejecting the "covenant." And his testimonies which he testified against them. The "testimonies" of God are his commandments, considered as witnessing of him and setting forth his nature. The use of the term is common in Deuteronomy and in the Psalms, but otherwise rare. And they followed vanity, and became vain. False gods are "vanity;" false religions are "vanity;" there is nothing firm or substantial about them; they belong to the realm of futility and nothingness. And the followers of such religions derive weakness from them - they "become vain " - i.e. weak, futile, impotent. Their energies are wasted; they effect nothing of that which they wish to effect; they are completely powerless for good, at any rate; and they are not really powerful for evil. Their plans, for the most part, miscarry; and "their end is destruction." And went after the heathen that were round about them. Upon a neglect to keep God's commandments follows active revolt from him, and the doing of that which he has forbidden. When they rejected God's statutes, the Israelites adopted "the statutes of the heathen" (ver. 8), and "walked in them." Concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them (see above, ver. 12, and compare the comment on ver. 8). <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/17-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>They rejected וַיִּמְאֲס֣וּ (way·yim·’ă·sū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3988.htm">Strong's 3988: </a> To spurn, to disappear His statutes חֻקָּ֗יו (ḥuq·qāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2706.htm">Strong's 2706: </a> Something prescribed or owed, a statute and the covenant בְּרִיתוֹ֙ (bə·rî·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> A covenant He had made כָּרַ֣ת (kā·raṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> Nearness, near, with, by, at, among their fathers, אֲבוֹתָ֔ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father as well as the decrees עֵֽדְוֺתָ֔יו (‘ê·ḏə·wō·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5715.htm">Strong's 5715: </a> Testimony He had given them. הֵעִ֖יד (hê·‘îḏ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5749.htm">Strong's 5749: </a> To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore They pursued וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk worthless idols הַהֶ֙בֶל֙ (ha·he·ḇel) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory and themselves became worthless, וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ (way·yeh·bā·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1891.htm">Strong's 1891: </a> To act emptily, become vain going after וְאַחֲרֵ֤י (wə·’a·ḥă·rê) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part the surrounding סְבִֽיבֹתָ֔ם (sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯām) Adverb | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> A circle, neighbour, environs, around nations הַגּוֹיִם֙ (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had commanded צִוָּ֤ה (ṣiw·wāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order them not לְבִלְתִּ֖י (lə·ḇil·tî) Preposition-l <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1115.htm">Strong's 1115: </a> A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until to imitate. עֲשׂ֥וֹת (‘ă·śō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 17:15 They rejected his statutes and his covenant (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 17:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>