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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 set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles at the top of every hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They set up for themselves <i>sacred</i> pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they set up for themselves memorial stones and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they set for themselves <i>sacred</i> pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they set for themselves <i>sacred</i> pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They set up for themselves <i>sacred</i> pillars (memorial stones) and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They also built stone images of foreign gods and set up sacred poles for the worship of Asherah on every hill and under every shady tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They set up sacred stones and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah on every high hill and under every large tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />On all the hills and under every shady tree they put up stone pillars and images of the goddess Asherah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<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 set them up pillars and Asherim on every high hill, and under every green tree;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they set up for themselves images and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and they set up for themselves pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree; <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 set up standing-pillars and Asherim for themselves on every high height, and under every green tree,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and set up for them standing-pillars and shrines on every high height, and under every green tree,<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 set to them statues and images upon every high hill, and under every green tree.<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 made them statues and groves on every high hill, and under every shady tree: <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 made for themselves statues and sacred groves, on every high hill and under every leafy tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They set up pillars and asherahs for themselves on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they set up for themselves pillars and sacred poles on every high hill and under every green tree;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they set up for themselves statues and idols on every high hill and under every green tree;<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 appointed to themselves statues and idols on every hill that is high and under every tree that is thick<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 set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every leafy tree;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. And they made for themselves pillars and groves on every high hill, and under every shady tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/17-10.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=5784" 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">9</span>The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: way·yaṣ·ṣi·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">They set up</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">for themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/4676.htm" title="4676: maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A pillar, stump. Feminine participle of natsab; something stationed, i.e. A column or; by analogy, an idol.">sacred pillars</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: wa·’ă·šê·rîm (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">and Asherah poles</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/1364.htm" title="1364: ḡə·ḇō·hāh (Adj-fs) -- High, exalted. Or gabowahh; from gabahh; elevated, powerful, arrogant.">high</a> <a href="/hebrew/1389.htm" title="1389: giḇ·‘āh (N-fs) -- A hill. Feminine from the same as Geba'; a hillock.">hill</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">and under</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/7488.htm" title="7488: ra·‘ă·nān (Adj-ms) -- Luxuriant, fresh. From an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous.">green</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">tree.</a> </span><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.…<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="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a></span><br />Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a></span><br />“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/6-13.htm">Ezekiel 6:13</a></span><br />Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and leafy oak—the places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5-7</a></span><br />who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? / Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? / On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a></span><br />They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">2 Chronicles 28:4</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a></span><br />I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a></span><br />So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6</a></span><br />Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7-8</a></span><br />At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. / He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3</a></span><br />For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-7.htm">Isaiah 65:7</a></span><br />both for your iniquities and for those of your fathers,” says the LORD. “Because they burned incense on the mountains and scorned Me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their former deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a></span><br />Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:</p><p class="hdg">they set</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4</a></b></br> And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></b></br> But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:</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">images [heb] statues </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21</a></b></br> Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Micah 5:14</a></b></br> And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.</p><p class="hdg">in every</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4</a></b></br> And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></b></br> For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2,3</a></b></br> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/13-6.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">Columns</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Green</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Height</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-24.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-18.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">rs</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-4.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">Standing-Pillars</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-17.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-17.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Columns</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-26.htm">Green</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-23.htm">Height</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-42.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">rs</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/28-18.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Standing-Pillars</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-6.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-12.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-31.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Wood</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 = 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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 set up for themselves sacred pillars</b><br>In ancient Israel, sacred pillars, or "masseboth," were often erected as part of pagan worship practices. These pillars were typically stone monuments that symbolized the presence of a deity. The Israelites were explicitly commanded not to set up such pillars (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-22.htm">Deuteronomy 16:22</a>), as they were associated with Canaanite religious practices. The use of these pillars indicates a departure from the worship of Yahweh and a return to idolatry, reflecting the influence of surrounding pagan cultures.<p><b>and Asherah poles</b><br>Asherah poles were wooden symbols representing the goddess Asherah, a consort of the Canaanite god El or Baal. The presence of these poles highlights the syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite fertility rites. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against such practices (<a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>), as they led to spiritual adultery and a breach of the covenant with God.<p><b>on every high hill</b><br>High places were commonly used in ancient Near Eastern religions for worship, as they were believed to be closer to the gods. The Israelites adopted this practice, despite God's command to worship only at the designated place He chose (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-5</a>). The use of high hills for idolatrous worship signifies a widespread and systemic rebellion against God's instructions, as these locations were often associated with pagan rituals.<p><b>and under every green tree</b><br>The phrase "under every green tree" is a recurring biblical expression denoting idolatrous worship practices (<a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/6-13.htm">Ezekiel 6:13</a>). Green trees, often evergreen, symbolized fertility and life, making them attractive sites for pagan worship. This practice reflects the Israelites' abandonment of exclusive worship of Yahweh, as they sought to incorporate elements of nature worship prevalent among their neighbors. The widespread nature of this idolatry underscores the depth of Israel's spiritual decline.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who are being addressed in this passage. They are engaging in idolatrous practices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sacred_pillars.htm">Sacred Pillars</a></b><br>These are stone structures set up as objects of worship, often associated with pagan religious practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a></b><br>Wooden symbols representing the goddess Asherah, commonly used in Canaanite religion and adopted by the Israelites in their idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_hills.htm">High Hills</a></b><br>Elevated places where the Israelites set up altars and idols, contrary to God's command to worship Him alone.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/green_trees.htm">Green Trees</a></b><br>Locations often associated with fertility rites and idolatrous worship practices.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry's_subtle_infiltration.htm">Idolatry's Subtle Infiltration</a></b><br>Idolatry often begins subtly, with small compromises that lead to larger acts of disobedience. Believers must guard their hearts against anything that takes the place of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_cultural_assimilation.htm">The Danger of Cultural Assimilation</a></b><br>The Israelites adopted the practices of surrounding nations, leading to their downfall. Christians today must be cautious not to conform to worldly values that contradict biblical teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>God's commands regarding worship are clear and non-negotiable. Obedience to His Word is essential for maintaining a right relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_spiritual_purity.htm">The Call to Spiritual Purity</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were called to destroy idols, believers are called to remove anything in their lives that hinders their relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The idolatry of the Israelites led to their exile. Disobedience to God has serious consequences, both spiritually and practically.<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/what_are_high_places_in_the_bible.htm">What are high places in the Bible?</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/why_do_high_places_remain_in_1_kings_15_14.htm">In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_kill_uzzah_for_touching_the_ark.htm">Why does God kill Uzzah instantly for touching the Ark to prevent it from falling (2 Samuel 6:7)?</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>(10) <span class= "bld">Images and groves.</span>--<span class= "ital">Pillars and Asheras</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> sacred trunks.<p>The <span class= "ital">second</span> degree of guilt: the setting up of idolatrous symbols.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they set them up images</span>; rather, <span class="accented">pillars</span> (comp. Gem 28:18, 22; 31:13, 45, 51, 52; 35:14, 20; <a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">2 Samuel 18:18</a>, where the same word is so rendered). The <span class="accented">matse voth</span> were stone pillars, anciently connected with the worship of Baal, but in Judah perhaps used in a debased and debasing worship of Jehovah with self-invented rites, instead of those which had the express sanction of God, being commanded in the Law (see the 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 1.p. 417). <span class="cmt_word">And groves</span> (compare the comment on 1 Kings 14:14 and <COMMENTARY/VERSE_ONLY:1 Kings 14:23 and see also that on 2 Kings 13:6) <span class="cmt_word">in every high hill</span> - rather, on <span class="accented">every high hill - <span class="cmt_word"></span>and under every green tree.</span> Mote that the "groves" (ash,-<span class="accented">rim</span>) were "set up under green trees," and must therefore have been artificial structures of some kind, such as could stand beneath their boughs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/17-10.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 set up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaṣ·ṣi·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take one's stand, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for themselves</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">[sacred] pillars</span><br /><span class="heb">מַצֵּב֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4676.htm">Strong's 4676: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something stationed, a column, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Asherah poles</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·šê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֚ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">high</span><br /><span class="heb">גְבֹהָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḡə·ḇō·hāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1364.htm">Strong's 1364: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevated, powerful, arrogant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hill</span><br /><span class="heb">גִּבְעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(giḇ·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1389.htm">Strong's 1389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hillock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and under</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתַ֖חַת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">green</span><br /><span class="heb">רַעֲנָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ra·‘ă·nān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7488.htm">Strong's 7488: </a> </span><span class="str2">Verdant, new, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tree.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 17:10 And they set them up pillars (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 17:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 17:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:11" /></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>