2 Kings 17 14

2 Kings 17:14 kjv

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Kings 17:14 nkjv

Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Kings 17:14 niv

But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the LORD their God.

2 Kings 17:14 esv

But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Kings 17:14 nlt

But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the LORD their God.

2 Kings 17 verses

2 Kings 17 14 Meaning

2 Kings 17:14 declares that the people of Israel consistently refused to listen to God's commands and warnings. Instead, they metaphorically "hardened their neck," signifying their stubborn refusal to submit to His will. This defiance is presented as a continuation of the same pattern of rebellion and unbelief demonstrated by their ancestors who similarly rejected the Lord their God, despite His faithfulness and deliverance. The verse encapsulates Israel's persistent disobedience and lack of faith as the underlying spiritual cause for their ultimate downfall.

2 Kings 17 14 Context

2 Kings 17 records the devastating downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, culminating in their exile by Assyria in 722 BC. Before detailing the final destruction (vv. 1-6), the chapter provides a profound theological explanation for why this judgment occurred. Verses 7-18 serve as a retrospective analysis of Israel's accumulated sins and their persistent rejection of God's covenant and prophets. This explanation is crucial, as it shifts the narrative from mere historical chronicle to a powerful lesson in divine justice. Verse 14 is a pivotal summary statement within this theological discourse, emphasizing Israel's internal spiritual state—their chronic stubbornness and lack of faith—as the root cause of their eventual abandonment and dispersion. It underscores that God's judgment was not arbitrary, but a righteous response to generations of deliberate, unrepentant defiance. The "fathers" referenced directly points back to their ancestors who rebelled in the wilderness after the Exodus and continued this pattern throughout the periods of judges and early kings, as recorded in prior biblical narratives.

2 Kings 17 14 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אַךְ - ʾakh): This Hebrew particle introduces a strong contrast or an emphatic declaration. Here, it highlights Israel's willful decision to defy God despite the numerous warnings and gracious dealings from Him (as detailed in verses 13). It sets their rebellion in stark opposition to what should have been their response.

• they would not hear (לֹא שָׁמֵעוּ - loʾ shomeʿu): The verb shamaʿ (שָׁמַע) in Hebrew means more than just "to hear audibly." It profoundly signifies "to hear and obey," or "to listen attentively and comply." The negation "loʾ" therefore indicates a deliberate refusal to comply, demonstrating an active posture of disobedience. This highlights their rejection of God's authority and wisdom, not merely a lack of comprehension.

• but hardened their neck (וַיַּקְשׁוּ אֶת־עָרְפָּם - vayyaqshu ʾet-ʿorhpam): This is a vivid metaphor for stubbornness and resistance.

  • ʿorhpam (עָרְפָּם): Their neck/back of the neck.
  • vayyaqshu (וַיַּקְשׁוּ): From the root קשה (qashah), meaning "to be hard, stiff, difficult."When an ox or donkey is stubborn, it stiffens its neck against the yoke or reins, refusing to be guided. This image perfectly portrays Israel's recalcitrance—their refusal to submit to God's "yoke" of commands and guidance. It implies an internal spiritual posture of defiance.

• like the neck of their fathers: This phrase draws a direct parallel to previous generations of Israelites who exhibited similar rebellion. It underscores a generational pattern of apostasy and unresponsiveness to God. This isn't a new failing but a continuation of historical spiritual malady.

• who did not believe (אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֶאֱמִינוּ - ʾasher loʾ heʾeminu): The verb ʾaman (אָמַן) in the Hiphil stem means "to trust, to have faith, to believe, to be firm/steadfast." Its negation "loʾ heʾeminu" signifies a fundamental lack of trust or confidence in God and His word. This goes beyond mere intellectual assent; it denotes a failure to rely on, acknowledge the truthfulness of, or find security in God Himself. Disobedience is directly linked to this underlying unbelief.

• in the Lord their God (בַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - baYHVH ʾEloheihem):

  • Lord (יהוה - YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing Him as the God who made promises, delivered Israel from slavery, and entered into a special relationship with them.
  • their God (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - ʾEloheihem): Emphasizes His sovereignty and their specific covenant relationship with Him. The fact that they did not believe in YHWH their God is especially damning, highlighting their rejection of the very one who had chosen them, redeemed them, and consistently provided for them. It underscores the severity of their unfaithfulness to their unique divine relationship.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Nevertheless they would not hear, but hardened their neck": This pairing directly contrasts God's consistent warnings with Israel's obstinate rejection. It shows an active, willful resistance rather than passive ignorance. The use of "nevertheless" underscores God's persistent efforts against their equally persistent defiance.
  • "like the neck of their fathers, who did not believe": This connection of "fathers," "hardened neck," and "did not believe" demonstrates a deep-rooted historical and theological issue. The generational rebellion is identified as springing from a fundamental lack of faith. Their disobedience was not simply a failing but a symptom of profound unbelief in the God of their covenant. This cycle reveals the grave danger of inheriting and perpetuating spiritual rebellion.

2 Kings 17 14 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a concept repeatedly found throughout the Old Testament: the cyclical nature of Israel's sin, marked by a pattern of rebellion, judgment, repentance (often superficial), and then renewed rebellion. The "hardened neck" phrase and variations like "stiff-necked people" are divine descriptors dating back to the Exodus, particularly prominent in Numbers and Deuteronomy, underscoring that this spiritual condition was not a new development but a chronic problem inherent within the nation's disposition toward God. This perpetual state of unbelief in YHWH, their covenant Lord, made them unfaithful partners in the divine covenant, ultimately leading to the covenant's judicial dissolution in their land and forced removal. It highlights the serious implications of prolonged spiritual apathy and active resistance to the Lord's clear guidance and compassionate warnings through His prophets.

2 Kings 17 14 Commentary

2 Kings 17:14 serves as a crucial theological indictment, providing the spiritual rationale for Israel's tragic downfall. It distills generations of rebellion into a concise statement, highlighting Israel's deeply entrenched spiritual pathology. Their problem was not simply sporadic disobedience but a persistent, hardened refusal to obey stemming from a foundational lack of belief in the covenant God who had consistently proven His faithfulness. The phrase "hardened their neck" vividly portrays their stubbornness as a defiance against divine leading, like a beast of burden refusing the guiding hand of its master. This echoes earlier scriptural descriptions of their ancestors, affirming a continuous, tragic pattern of faithlessness throughout their history. The judgment of exile, therefore, was not arbitrary but the natural and just culmination of unyielding rejection of the divine call, demonstrating God's holiness and justice in response to prolonged corporate unbelief. The verse powerfully reminds us that hearing God's word is ineffective without active, believing obedience.

• Example 1: Like a child who consistently ignores parental advice and warnings, stubbornly insisting on their own harmful ways, leading to inevitable negative consequences.
• Example 2: A farmer repeatedly warning his neighbor about impending storms that will damage crops, but the neighbor dismisses the warnings, failing to secure his fields due to a lack of belief in the farmer's forecast.