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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, &#8220You shall not do this.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the LORD’s specific and repeated warnings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />for they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served idols, concerning which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They served idols, concerning which the LORD had said to them, &#8220You shall not do this thing.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they served idols, concerning which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they served idols, concerning which Yahweh had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You must not do this.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, &#8220You must not do this.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they served idols, whereof Jehovah had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Even though the LORD had commanded the Israelites not to worship idols, they did it anyway. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had said, "Never do this."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and disobeyed the LORD's command not to worship idols. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, ?You shall not do this thing.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They worshiped the disgusting idols in blatant disregard of the LORD's command. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, "You shall not do this thing."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, Ye shall not do this thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and they served idols, of which Yahweh had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and serve the idols, of which YHWH said to them, “You do not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and serve the idols, of which Jehovah said to them, 'Ye do not do this thing;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will serve blocks which Jehovah said to them, Ye shall not do this word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they worshipped abominations, concerning which the Lord had commanded them that they should not do this thing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they worshipped impurities, concerning which the Lord instructed them that they should not do this word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and served idols, although the LORD had told them: You must not do this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, You shall not do this thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they worked for idols of which LORD JEHOVAH said to them: “You shall not do this thing”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them: 'Ye shall not do this thing';<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they served the idols, of which the Lord said to them, Ye shall not do this thing <i>against</i> the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/17-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=5804" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Israel Exiled Because of Idolatry</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: way·ya·‘aḇ·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">They served</a> <a href="/hebrew/1544.htm" title="1544: hag·gil·lu·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- An idol. Or gillul; from galal; properly, a log; by implication, an idol.">idols,</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/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.">although the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">had told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ṯa·‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">do</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/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">thing.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-7.htm">Deuteronomy 5:7-9</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-19.htm">Deuteronomy 8:19</a></span><br />If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-16.htm">Deuteronomy 11:16</a></span><br />But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-4</a></span><br />If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-26.htm">Deuteronomy 29:26</a></span><br />They went and served other gods, and they worshiped gods they had not known—gods that the LORD had not given to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Deuteronomy 32:16-17</a></span><br />They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-13</a></span><br />And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-9.htm">1 Kings 14:9</a></span><br />You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31-33</a></span><br />And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm">2 Kings 21:21</a></span><br />He walked in all the ways of his father, and he served and worshiped the idols his father had served.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-6.htm">Jeremiah 25:6</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/44-3.htm">Jeremiah 44:3</a></span><br />because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Hosea 13:2</a></span><br />Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said to them, You shall not do this thing.</p><p class="hdg">whereof</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a></b></br> Thou shalt have no other gods before me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a></b></br> For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name <i>is</i> Jealous, <i>is</i> a jealous God:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a></b></br> Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up <i>any</i> image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I <i>am</i> the LORD your God.</p><p class="hdg">Ye shall not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Deuteronomy 4:15-19,23-25</a></b></br> Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day <i>that</i> the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">Deuteronomy 12:4</a></b></br> Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/9-22.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-5.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-18.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-18.htm">Served</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-14.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">Worshiped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Served</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Worshiped</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/17-1.htm">Hoshea the Last King of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/17-3.htm">Being subdued by Shalmaneser, he conspires against him with So, king of Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/17-5.htm">Samaria for sinning is led into captivity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">The strange nations transplanted into Samaria make a mixture of religions.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They served idols</b><br>The Israelites engaged in idol worship, which was a direct violation of the first two commandments given by God (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). This practice was prevalent among the surrounding nations, such as the Canaanites, whose religious customs included the worship of Baal and Asherah. Archaeological findings, such as altars and figurines, confirm the widespread nature of these practices in ancient Israel. The Israelites' adoption of idolatry reflects a recurring theme of spiritual adultery, where they turned away from their covenant relationship with Yahweh to follow the gods of the nations around them.<p><b>although the LORD had told them</b><br>God had repeatedly warned the Israelites against idolatry through His prophets and the Law. <a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14-15</a> explicitly commands the Israelites not to follow other gods, emphasizing the LORD's jealousy and the consequences of disobedience. The historical books of the Old Testament, including Judges and 1 Samuel, document the cycle of Israel's disobedience, punishment, repentance, and deliverance, highlighting God's consistent communication and warnings to His people.<p><b>“You shall not do this thing.”</b><br>This phrase underscores the clear and direct command from God against idol worship. The prohibition against idolatry is a central tenet of the Mosaic Covenant, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/26.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/5-7.htm">Deuteronomy 5:7-9</a>. The command reflects God's desire for exclusive worship and loyalty from His people. The Israelites' failure to heed this command led to their downfall and exile, fulfilling the prophetic warnings given by Moses and later prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. This command also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of worshiping God in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>), pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the true image of God (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The primary subjects of this verse, the Israelites were God's chosen people who were expected to follow His commandments and statutes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>Objects of worship that the Israelites turned to, in direct disobedience to God's command. These idols represented the false gods of the surrounding nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God who had delivered the Israelites from Egypt and given them His laws, including the commandment against idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_prophets.htm">The Prophets</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, the prophets were God's messengers who repeatedly warned Israel against idolatry.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyrian_captivity.htm">Assyrian Captivity</a></b><br>The broader context of this chapter involves the eventual Assyrian conquest and exile of Israel as a consequence of their persistent idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols such as money, power, or relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>God’s commands are given for our protection and well-being. Obedience to His Word is a demonstration of our love and trust in Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Persistent disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. The Israelites' exile serves as a warning of the seriousness of turning away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_and_patience.htm">God’s Faithfulness and Patience</a></b><br>Despite Israel's repeated failures, God remained faithful and patient, continually sending prophets to call them back to Him. This reflects His enduring love and desire for repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Like Israel, we are called to repent and turn back to God when we stray. His grace is sufficient to restore us when we genuinely seek Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_deeds_with_israel's_woes.htm">Isaiah 12:5: How do we reconcile the emphasis on 'excellent things' done by God with the historical records of suffering and defeat experienced by the Israelites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jehoshaphat's_reform_seem_inconsistent.htm">(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_exodus_34_14_with_polytheism.htm">(Exodus 34:14) How do we reconcile the commandment against worshiping other gods with archaeological finds suggesting Israel's early polytheistic practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer._3_12-14_show_limitless_mercy.htm">How does Jeremiah 3:12-14 depict limitless mercy when texts like 2 Kings 17:6-23 suggest God's patience eventually ran out?</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>(12) F<span class= "bld">or they served idols.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">and they served the dunglings;</span> a term of contempt used in <a href="/1_kings/15-19.htm" title="There is a league between me and you, and between my father and your father: behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold; come and break your league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.">1Kings 15:19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/29-16.htm" title="(For you know how we have dwelled in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which you passed by;">Deuteronomy 29:16</a>, where see Note.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For they served idols</span>; rather, <span class="accented">and they served idols</span>. The sense flows on from ver. 7, each verso being joined to the preceding one by the <span class="accented">van</span> connective. <span class="accented">Gillulim</span>, the term translated "idols," is a word rarely used, except by Ezekiel, with whom it is common. "It contains," as Bahr says, "a subordinate contemptuous and abusive signification;" the primary meaning of <span class="accented">galal</span> being "dung," "ordure." <span class="cmt_word">Whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing</span> (see <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4, 5, 23</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16-18</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/17-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They served</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּֽעַבְד֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aḇ·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">idols,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּלֻּלִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gil·lu·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> </span><span class="str2">A log, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">although the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had told them,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲשׂ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/17-12.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 17:12 And they served idols of which Yahweh (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 17:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 17:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:13" /></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>