2 Kings 17 13

2 Kings 17:13 kjv

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Kings 17:13 nkjv

Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets."

2 Kings 17:13 niv

The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."

2 Kings 17:13 esv

Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets."

2 Kings 17:13 nlt

Again and again the LORD had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: "Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and decrees ? the entire law that I commanded your ancestors to obey, and that I gave you through my servants the prophets."

2 Kings 17 verses

2 Kings 17 13 Meaning

The Lord consistently admonished both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah through a continuous stream of His chosen messengers, urging them to forsake their wicked behaviors and meticulously observe His divine decrees and ordinances. These commands were not new but were deeply rooted in the foundational Law given to their ancestors at Mount Sinai, which had been faithfully reaffirmed and applied by God's servants, the prophets, throughout their history. This verse serves as God's justification for the impending judgment on Israel, demonstrating His long-suffering patience and the persistent rebellion of His people.

2 Kings 17 13 Context

2 Kings chapter 17 details the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and their subsequent exile by the Assyrians. Verses 7-12 provide a summary of the grave sins of Israel, primarily their rampant idolatry, adoption of pagan practices, and rejection of YHWH. They are accused of forsaking God's commandments, building high places, setting up Asherim and pillars, and burning incense to false gods. Verse 13, therefore, serves as a crucial theological explanation for this devastating judgment. It underscores that God's actions were not arbitrary but were a direct, justified consequence of Israel's prolonged and unrepentant rebellion, despite repeated divine warnings spanning centuries. By including Judah in the warning, the text implies that the Southern Kingdom faces a similar fate if they persist in disobedience. Historically, this aligns with the prophetic ministry from the days of Elijah and Elisha through Amos and Hosea, all consistently calling Israel to repentance based on the covenant Law.

2 Kings 17 13 Word analysis

• Yet the Lord warned (וַיָּעַד יְהוָה, wayya'ad YHWH):
  • "Lord" (YHWH): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing that these warnings come from the specific, relational God who chose them and entered into a covenant with them.
  • "warned" (וַיָּעַד, wayya'ad): From the root עוּד ('ûd), meaning "to warn," "admonish," "testify solemnly," or "call to witness." This indicates not a casual caution but a serious, deliberate, and persistent divine attestation against their evil ways. It implies an appeal or legal testimony given repeatedly.
• Israel and Judah:
  • Indicates that the warnings were addressed to both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, despite the immediate context being the fall of Israel. This signifies God's comprehensive oversight and the universality of His call to covenant faithfulness.
• by every prophet and every seer (בְּכָל־נָבִיא וְכָל־חֹזֶה, bəḵol-nāvî' wəḵol-ḥōzeh):
  • "prophet" (נָבִיא, nāvî'): One who is "called" or "commissioned" to speak for God, conveying His direct words.
  • "seer" (חֹזֶה, ḥōzeh): One who "sees" visions or receives divine revelations, often involving visual communication of God's will. The dual expression emphasizes the multitude and varied forms of God's messengers over generations, leaving no excuse for ignorance. It highlights the completeness and continuity of divine communication.
• saying, 'Turn from your evil ways (שּׁוּבוּ מִדַּרְכֵיכֶם הָרָעִים, shuvu middarkêḵem hārā‘îm):
  • "Turn" (שּׁוּבוּ, shuvu): A strong imperative, derived from the verb שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return," "repent," or "turn back." It's a fundamental call to spiritual reorientation, a reversal of direction from rebellion to obedience.
  • "evil ways": Refers to their conduct, lifestyle, and choices that diverged from God's commands and led them into sin and idolatry. It encapsulates their systemic moral and spiritual corruption.
• and keep my commandments and my statutes (וְשִׁמְרוּ מִצְוֺתַי חֻקֹּתַי, wəšimərū miṣwōtay ḥuqqōtay):
  • "keep" (וְשִׁמְרוּ, wəšimərū): An imperative meaning "to guard," "observe," "obey meticulously," or "preserve." It demands careful and deliberate adherence to God's instructions.
  • "commandments" (מִצְוֺתַי, miṣwōtay): Specific instructions or divine precepts given by God.
  • "statutes" (חֻקֹּתַי, ḥuqqōtay): God's fixed ordinances, decrees, or regulations, often associated with covenant stipulations or judicial law. This phrase encapsulates the Mosaic Law as the standard for righteous living.
• in accordance with all the law (כְּכָל־הַתּוֹרָה, kəḵol-hattôrâ):
  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה, Torah): The divine instruction, teaching, or guidance, primarily referring to the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible) which contains God's covenant with Israel and all its stipulations. It's the comprehensive guide for Israel's life.
• that I commanded your fathers and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets (אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִי אֶת־אֲבֹתֵיכֶם וַאֲשֶׁר שָׁלַחְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם בְּיַד עֲבָדַי הַנְּבִאִים, ’ăšer ṣiwwîtî ’eṯ-’ăḇōṯêḵem wa’ăšer šālaḥtî ’ălêḵem bəyad ‘ăḇāday hannəḇî'îm):
  • "commanded your fathers": Refers directly to the giving of the Mosaic Law at Sinai to the preceding generations of Israel, emphasizing the ancient, foundational, and continuous nature of God's expectations.
  • "sent to you by my servants the prophets": Highlights that the Law was not just an old covenant document but was continuously re-communicated, interpreted, and applied to new generations by God's chosen messengers, showing that the people had no excuse for ignorance or failure to respond. This links the past (Sinai) with the present (prophets) to form a complete theological explanation for their culpability.

2 Kings 17 13 Bonus section

• The verse serves as a crucial theological backbone for understanding the entire Old Testament prophetic tradition, illustrating God's patience and humanity's chronic rebellion against explicit divine instruction.
• The phrase "every prophet and every seer" underscores that God used multiple channels and means (verbal proclamation, visions, divine insights) to communicate His will, emphasizing the inescapable nature of His call.
• It counters any notion that God's judgment was arbitrary or lacked sufficient prior notice, painting a picture of a patient yet ultimately righteous Judge.
• The persistence of God's warnings reflects His redemptive character, preferring repentance and life over judgment and destruction. It aligns with God's stated character as "slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Psa 86:15).
• The consistent theme of "return from evil ways" (repentance) is a cornerstone of biblical ethics and spiritual transformation, echoed throughout the prophets and affirmed in the New Testament as necessary for forgiveness and renewal.

2 Kings 17 13 Commentary

2 Kings 17:13 is a powerful theological statement, not merely a historical account. It presents God's unwavering character: holy, patient, and just. Before delivering judgment, He extends persistent and varied warnings. The phrase "every prophet and every seer" emphasizes the divine effort and consistency in communication, ensuring that ignorance could not be an excuse. The message itself was always a call to teshuvah (repentance), urging a fundamental reorientation from "evil ways" to covenant faithfulness—specifically, to "keep my commandments and my statutes." This was not a new or arbitrary demand but a restatement of the ancient Law given to their "fathers." The inclusion of Judah in the warning makes this a pan-Israelite principle: disobedience to YHWH's established covenant, despite clear and continuous divine admonition, inevitably leads to divine judgment. It reveals God's gracious pursuit of His people and their stubborn resistance as the root cause of their national calamity.