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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 17:38 Do not forget the covenant I have made with you. Do not worship other gods,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/17-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/12_2Ki_17_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 17:38 - Israel's Cities Resettled by Foreigners" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not forget the covenant I have made with you. Do not worship other gods," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/17-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/17-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm" title="2 Kings 17:37">◄</a> 2 Kings 17:38 <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm" title="2 Kings 17:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not fear other gods,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forget the covenant I have made with you. Do not worship other gods,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the covenant that I have cut with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget; you shall not fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you. Do not fear other gods,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you. Do not fear other gods, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and remember the solemn agreement between us. I will say it again: Do not worship any god <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never forget the promise I made to you. Never worship other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and you shall not forget the covenant I made with you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to forget the covenant that I've made with you, and you are not to fear other gods. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not forget the covenant I have made with you. Do not worship other gods,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must never forget the agreement I made with you, and you must not worship other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you; neither shall you fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not fear other gods. <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 you do not forget the covenant that I have made with you, and you do not fear other gods;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the covenant that I have made with you ye do not forget, and ye do not fear other gods;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the covenant which I cut out with you ye shall not forget; and ye shall not fear other gods.<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 the covenant that he made with you, you shall not forget: neither shall ye worship strange gods, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the covenant, which he struck with you, you shall not forget; neither shall you worship strange gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The covenant I made with you, you must not forget; you must not venerate other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not worship other gods,<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 the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget; neither shall you worship the gods of the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the covenant that I have covenanted with you, you shall not forget, and you shall not fear the gods of the Gentiles.<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 the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall ye forget the covenant which he made with you: and ye shall not fear other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/17-38.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=6123" 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's Cities Resettled by Foreigners</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><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.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: ṯiš·kā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">forget</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: wə·hab·bə·rîṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">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·rat·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">I have made</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tə·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: ṯî·rə·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">worship</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’ă·ḥê·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">other</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods,</a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>but worship the LORD your God, and He will deliver you from the hands of all your enemies.”…<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 20:3-4</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.<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 6:14-15</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. / For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-28.htm">Deuteronomy 11:28</a></span><br />but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the LORD your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-4.htm">Deuteronomy 13:4</a></span><br />You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-16.htm">Joshua 23:16</a></span><br />If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Judges 2:12</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-6.htm">1 Kings 9:6-7</a></span><br />But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-12.htm">2 Kings 18:12</a></span><br />This happened because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD their God, but violated His covenant—all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded—and would neither listen nor obey.<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/35-15.htm">Jeremiah 35:15</a></span><br />Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-4.htm">Hosea 13:4</a></span><br />Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-10.htm">Matthew 4:10</a></span><br />“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-38</a></span><br />Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29-30</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the covenant that I have made with you you shall not forget; neither shall you fear other gods.</p><p class="hdg">ye shall not forget</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Deuteronomy 4:23</a></b></br> Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, <i>or</i> the likeness of any <i>thing</i>, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/6-12.htm">Deuteronomy 6:12</a></b></br> <i>Then</i> beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/8-14.htm">Deuteronomy 8:14-18</a></b></br> Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-9.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-18.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/18-12.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-12.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/job/8-13.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-33.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm">Worship</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'; 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The covenant refers to the agreements made at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses (Exodus 19-24). This covenant was central to Israel's identity as God's chosen people and included promises of blessing for obedience and consequences for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The call to remember is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Deuteronomy 4:23</a> and <a href="/joshua/23-11.htm">Joshua 23:11-16</a>, where the Israelites are reminded of their obligations to God. Forgetting the covenant often led to idolatry and apostasy, as seen in the history of Israel and Judah, culminating in the exile. This phrase also foreshadows the New Covenant prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who established a new relationship between God and humanity through His death and resurrection.<p><b>Do not worship other gods,</b><br>This command underscores the monotheistic foundation of Israel's faith, as articulated in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>). Worshiping other gods was a direct violation of the first two commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>) and was a persistent issue throughout Israel's history. The allure of surrounding pagan cultures and their deities often led Israel astray, as seen in the worship of Baal and Asherah (<a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-13</a>, <a href="/1_kings/18-18.htm">1 Kings 18:18-21</a>). This command is a call to exclusive loyalty to Yahweh, who alone is worthy of worship. The prohibition against idolatry is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are warned against the worship of anything other than God (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-14.htm">1 Corinthians 10:14, 1</a> <a href="/john/5-21.htm">John 5:21</a>). This phrase also points to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the true image of the invisible God (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>) and the one through whom believers have access to the Father (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was experiencing spiritual decline and idolatry, leading to its eventual exile by the Assyrians.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God who had established a relationship with Israel, emphasizing exclusive worship and obedience.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyrian_exile.htm">Assyrian Exile</a></b><br>The event where the Northern Kingdom was conquered and its people were taken into exile due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophets.htm">Prophets</a></b><br>Messengers sent by God to warn Israel of the consequences of their idolatry and to call them back to covenant faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The solemn agreement between God and Israel, which included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>God calls His people to remember and uphold the covenant. This requires a commitment to exclusive worship and obedience to His commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_idolatry.htm">The Dangers of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry leads to spiritual decline and separation from God. Believers must guard against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Disobedience to God's covenant results in severe consequences, as seen in the exile of Israel. This serves as a warning to remain faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_warnings.htm">God's Patience and Warnings</a></b><br>God is patient and sends warnings through His prophets. Believers should heed God's warnings and repent when they stray from His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_remembrance.htm">The Importance of Remembrance</a></b><br>Remembering God's past faithfulness and His covenant helps believers stay grounded in their faith and avoid the pitfalls of forgetfulness.<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/key_themes_in_2_chronicles.htm">What are the key themes in 2 Chronicles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_kings_17_24-29__do_gods_align_with_cultural_patterns.htm">2 Kings 17:24-29 - Does the portrayal of each nation setting up its own gods align with known cultural assimilation patterns or does it conflict with archaeological findings?</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/what_was_solomon's_temple_for.htm">What was the purpose of Solomon's Temple?</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>(38) <span class= "bld">Neither shall ye fear other gods.</span>--This formula is repeated thrice (<a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm" title="With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:">2Kings 17:35</a>; <a href="/context/2_kings/17-37.htm" title="And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, you shall observe to do for ever more; and you shall not fear other gods.">2Kings 17:37-38</a>), as the main point of the covenant between Jehovah and Israel.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget.</span> The "covenant" intended is not the covenant of circumcision, which God made with Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Genesis 17:9-14</a>), but the covenant of protection and obedience made at Sinai between God and the entire people (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-8</a>), and most solemnly ratified by sprinkling with blood and by a covenant feast, as related in <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3-11</a>. This was the covenant which Israel had been warned so frequently not to "forget" (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-23.htm">Deuteronomy 4:23</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-11.htm">Deuteronomy 8:11</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/26-13.htm">Deuteronomy 26:13</a>; <a href="/proverbs/2-17.htm">Proverbs 2:17</a>), yet which they had "forgotten," or, at any rate, "forsaken," as already declared in ver. 15. <span class="cmt_word">Neither shall ye fear other gods.</span> The writer has probably a practical object in his reiteration. He expects his words to reach the ears of the mixed race inhabiting Samaria in his day, and would fain warn them against their idolatrous practices, and point them to the pure worship of Jehovah. It is pleasing to remember that ultimately the mixed race was won to the true faith, and that the Samaritans of our Lord's time were as true worshippers of Jehovah, and as zealous followers of the Law, as the Jews themselves. The interesting community at Nablous still maintains Samaritan forms, and reads the Samaritan Pentateuch. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/17-38.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">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</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">forget</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשְׁכָּ֑חוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·kā·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַבְּרִ֛ית</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hab·bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have made</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּרַ֥תִּי</span> <span class="translit">(kā·rat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with you.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתְּכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">worship</span><br /><span class="heb">תִֽירְא֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯî·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">other</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֵרִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, next, other</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gods,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/17-38.htm">2 Kings 17:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/17-38.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 17:38 And the covenant that I have made (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 17:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 17:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 17:39" /></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>