2 Kings 17 22

2 Kings 17:22 kjv

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;

2 Kings 17:22 nkjv

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them,

2 Kings 17:22 niv

The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them

2 Kings 17:22 esv

The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them,

2 Kings 17:22 nlt

And the people of Israel persisted in all the evil ways of Jeroboam. They did not turn from these sins

2 Kings 17 verses

2 Kings 17 22 Meaning

This verse details the deep-seated and unyielding rebellion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel against God. It attributes their eventual downfall and exile, as described in the subsequent verses, to their persistent adherence to the specific idolatrous practices introduced by King Jeroboam I. Despite numerous warnings and opportunities to repent, the Israelites deliberately chose to remain in their sin, demonstrating an entrenched refusal to return to the covenant loyalty demanded by God.

2 Kings 17 22 Context

2 Kings Chapter 17 describes the historical climax and theological explanation for the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After centuries of a divided monarchy, marked by idolatry, political instability, and successive wicked kings, the Assyrian empire finally conquers Samaria, exiling the Israelites. Verse 22 provides the direct divine verdict on why this catastrophic event occurred, specifically citing their continued practice of the Jeroboam's sins. This context is crucial, as the chapter's preceding verses (17-20) detail specific idolatrous acts, and the subsequent verses (23-24) record their deportation and replacement by foreign peoples. The author of Kings attributes their exile not merely to military defeat, but to a spiritual judgment for persistent covenant disloyalty rooted in Jeroboam's initial transgression.

2 Kings 17 22 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This conjunction serves to introduce a causal explanation. It indicates that the subsequent statement provides the reason or justification for what has been discussed previously, specifically leading up to Israel's removal from God's presence.

• the Israelites (וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, u'v'nei Yisra'el, literally "and the sons of Israel"): Refers specifically to the Northern Kingdom, the ten tribes, distinct from Judah. This emphasizes the direct lineage of disobedience from the nation's foundation to its collapse.

• persisted (הָלְכוּ, halekhu, lit. "they walked/went"): While typically meaning "to walk," in this context, "to walk in" often signifies a manner of life, a persistent adherence, or a course of conduct. It denotes an ongoing, active engagement rather than a momentary lapse. The imperfect aspect of the Hebrew verb implies continued action.

• in all the sins (בְּכָל חַטֹּאות, b'khol khattot):

  • all (כֹּל, khol): Emphasizes the totality and comprehensive nature of their deviation. It was not partial or incidental but encompassed the entire scope of Jeroboam's transgressions.
  • the sins (חַטֹּאות, khattot): Derived from חָטָא (khata), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err." This refers to their grave offenses against God's law.

• Jeroboam had committed (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יָרָבְעָם, asher asah Yarov'am, lit. "which Jeroboam did"): Clearly links the generations-long corruption to its originator, Jeroboam I. His sin was institutionalized idolatry: setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kgs 12), creating a rival priesthood, and appointing new festivals. This wasn't merely personal sin but systemic spiritual corruption.

• and did not turn away (וְלֹא סָרוּ מֵהֶם, v'lo saru mehem, lit. "and they did not turn aside from them"):

  • did not turn away (לֹא סָרוּ, lo saru): Sur (סוּר) means "to turn aside," "to depart," "to cease." The negation "did not turn away" highlights their unwavering resolve not to abandon these wicked practices. It speaks to a conscious and sustained rejection of repentance. It implies deliberate continuance rather than accidental error.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "For the Israelites persisted in...": This phrase lays the foundational blame for the exile squarely on the shoulders of the Northern Kingdom. It isn't passive fault, but an active, continuous engagement in their transgressions, reflecting a stubborn heart. Their identity ("the Israelites") is inextricably linked to this pervasive pattern of disobedience.
  • "...all the sins Jeroboam had committed...": This precise indictment reveals the long-lasting impact of institutionalized apostasy. Jeroboam's innovations were not just initial errors but became the very fabric of Israelite worship, signifying a complete deviation from the Mosaic covenant. "All" underscores the comprehensiveness of this corrupted worship, moving beyond isolated acts of idolatry to a foundational break.
  • "...and did not turn away from them.": This emphasizes the core issue: a lack of repentance. Despite prophetic warnings (2 Kgs 17:13), divine judgments, and various opportunities for reform, Israel remained entrenched in its chosen idolatry. This highlights the free will aspect of their continued rebellion and underscores the justice of God's subsequent action; their removal was a direct result of their refusal to abandon sin.

2 Kings 17 22 Bonus section

The concept of "the sins of Jeroboam" became a standardized descriptor throughout the books of Kings, a shorthand identifying the systemic apostasy of the Northern Kingdom. Every king of Israel is measured against this standard, consistently being described as having walked in or adhered to Jeroboam's ways. This literary device emphasizes the theological continuity of Northern Israel's rebellion, suggesting that their spiritual trajectory was set by Jeroboam's initial breach and remained uncorrected until their national collapse. This highlights that unaddressed and entrenched sin, even inherited from a previous generation, leads inevitably to divine consequences. The verse also underscores the theme of deliberate choice in human sin—Israel chose to persist and chose not to turn away, making their fate a result of their own unyielding will.

2 Kings 17 22 Commentary

2 Kings 17:22 offers a crucial theological explanation for Israel's demise, articulating the why behind the exile. It posits that the collapse of the Northern Kingdom was not a mere historical accident or military defeat, but a just consequence of their unwavering rebellion against God's covenant. The verse specifically identifies "the sins Jeroboam had committed" as the primary source of this pervasive apostasy. These were not just personal misdeeds but the systematic religious innovations (golden calves, alternative priesthood, non-authorized festivals) that replaced true Yahwistic worship with syncretistic idolatry. The key point is Israel's persistence and active refusal to turn away from these sins. This emphasizes a deliberate and unrepentant posture over centuries, despite God's repeated warnings through His prophets. It illustrates the profound impact of foundational sin on a national trajectory and demonstrates that God's judgment is not arbitrary, but a direct response to a people's consistent rejection of His ways and His calls to repentance.