2 Kings 17 35

2 Kings 17:35 kjv

With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:

2 Kings 17:35 nkjv

with whom the LORD had made a covenant and charged them, saying: "You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them;

2 Kings 17:35 niv

When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.

2 Kings 17:35 esv

The LORD made a covenant with them and commanded them, "You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them,

2 Kings 17:35 nlt

For the LORD had made a covenant with the descendants of Jacob and commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them.

2 Kings 17 verses

2 Kings 17 35 Meaning

2 Kings 17:35 reiterates the core demand of God's covenant with Israel: exclusive allegiance and worship to Him alone. It reminds the northern kingdom (represented by their ancestors) of the explicit divine charge given at Sinai, strictly prohibiting the fear, homage, service, or sacrifice to any other gods. This foundational command highlights God's unique identity as the only true God and His jealousy for His people's undivided devotion, forbidding any form of idolatry that contributed to their spiritual downfall.

2 Kings 17 35 Context

This verse is found within 2 Kings chapter 17, which primarily details the Assyrian conquest and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the subsequent settlement of foreigners in their land. The chapter extensively explains why God allowed this judgment to occur: because Israel persistently provoked Him through widespread idolatry, failing to keep the covenant He had made with their ancestors. Verses 35-39 specifically highlight that even after the initial waves of exile, the new inhabitants (Samaritans) developed a syncretic religion, attempting to fear both the Lord and their pagan deities, contrary to the foundational principles of the covenant stated here. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct reminder of the original, unambiguous terms of their covenant, which they repeatedly violated. Historically, the covenant referenced here is the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai, binding Israel to exclusive worship of Yahweh as their deliverer and God. The cultural context was rife with polytheistic worship of various gods like Baal and Asherah in Canaan, making Israel's call to monotheism exceptionally unique and radical.

2 Kings 17 35 Word analysis

• with whom: Refers to the "children of Israel" or "Jacob," highlighting God's pre-existing, exclusive relationship with them. This connection underscores that the covenant obligations were inherited from their ancestors, placing a historical burden on their current conduct.
• the Lord: Transliteration of Hebrew YHWH (יהוה), often pronounced Adonai (Lord) to respect its sacredness. It refers to God's personal, covenantal, and self-revealed name. Its use here emphasizes that the commands come from the true, living God who delivered Israel, not an impersonal deity.
• had made a covenant: Hebrew kārat bĕrît (כָּרַת בְּרִית), literally "cut a covenant." This idiom points to the ancient Near Eastern practice of ratifying treaties by cutting animals, signifying the serious, life-and-death consequences of breaking the agreement. It signifies a solemn, binding agreement, a relationship established by divine initiative and secured by oath, with specific mutual obligations and penalties for infidelity. This refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant (Exo 19-24; Deut 5).
• and charged them: Hebrew way'tzaw (וַיְצַו), meaning "and commanded them" or "laid a charge upon them." This implies a divine, authoritative, and unambiguous directive from God, establishing non-negotiable terms of the covenant. It's a declaration of divine will and expectation.
• saying: Hebrew lēʼmōr (לֵאמֹר). Introduces the direct speech of God's commandment.
• You shall not fear: Hebrew lō tîr’û (לֹא תִירְאוּ). This is more than mere dread; it signifies a deep, reverential awe, reliance, and submission. To "fear other gods" would mean to stand in awe of them, acknowledge their power, and seek their favor, indicating a profound lack of faith in YHWH's exclusive sovereignty and protective care. It prohibits the inward attitude that leads to idolatry.
• other gods: Hebrew ’ĕlōhîm ’aḥērîm (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים). Explicitly denotes deities other than YHWH. This term is a strong polemic against the polytheism common among Israel's neighbors, which God unequivocally condemns as rivals to His singular existence and authority.
• nor bow down to them: Hebrew wəlo’ tištaḥăwû (וְלֹא תִשְׁתַּחֲווּ). This refers to the physical act of prostration, an outward gesture of worship, submission, and adoration. It forbids rendering homage or allegiance through physical demonstration. This often represents the lowest form of spiritual humiliation and acknowledgment of their dominion.
• nor serve them: Hebrew wəlo’ ta‘aḇdû (וְלֹא תַעַבְדוּ). "To serve" (from ‘ābaḏ) implies more than ritual worship; it means to work for, perform duties for, or be enslaved to. It encompasses acts of devotion, allegiance, and lifestyle dedicated to a god. It is a commitment to carrying out the will and purposes of a deity, often implying following their practices and doctrines.
• nor sacrifice to them: Hebrew wəlo’ tizbəḥû lāhem (וְלֹא תִזְבְּחוּ לָהֶם). The act of offering sacrifices, whether burnt offerings or other tributes, was the highest and most profound act of worship in ancient religions, signifying absolute devotion, propitiation, and covenant fellowship with a deity. To sacrifice to other gods was the ultimate betrayal of the covenant with YHWH, diverting sacred resources and ultimate devotion away from Him.

2 Kings 17 35 Bonus section

The instruction in 2 Kings 17:35, though given to ancient Israel, continues to speak to the concept of exclusive worship demanded by God. Modern idolatry may not always involve carved images but can manifest in anything that usurps God's rightful place in one's heart, fears, time, and resources – wealth, career, personal achievements, relationships, comfort, or even philosophical systems. The underlying principle of covenant loyalty, as exemplified by "fear," "serve," and "sacrifice," applies to contemporary devotion. To "fear" God in the modern context implies a reverential awe and submission to His will above all else. To "serve" Him means aligning one's life choices and actions with His commands, dedicating one's abilities and resources to His purposes. To "sacrifice" to Him means giving Him ultimate priority, even when it demands personal cost, placing Him above all rival affections or pursuits. The warning remains that divided loyalty ultimately leads to spiritual ruin, just as it led to Israel's national collapse.

2 Kings 17 35 Commentary

2 Kings 17:35 encapsulates the very heart of the Mosaic Covenant and the fundamental reason for Israel's tragic downfall. It reminds the audience that God's covenant with Israel was not merely a series of external rules, but a deep relational agreement demanding absolute, exclusive, and undivided loyalty to Him. The repetition of "not fear... nor bow down... nor serve... nor sacrifice" presents a comprehensive prohibition against every conceivable form of idolatry – from internal reverence to outward acts of worship and life-altering service.

This verse reveals God as a jealous God, whose jealousy stems from His absolute uniqueness and sole right to divine worship, not from insecurity. He cannot tolerate sharing the allegiance of His chosen people with the impotent and non-existent gods of the nations. Israel's consistent failure to adhere to this foundational command, particularly in fearing, serving, and sacrificing to the false gods of Canaan and Assyria, constituted the gravest form of covenant breaking, culminating in their exile. The very presence of foreigners practicing a mixed worship (fearing the Lord but also serving their own gods, as described in subsequent verses) highlights the stark contrast to God's original demand and emphasizes the extent of Israel's spiritual rebellion. This historical warning resonates across generations, calling believers to single-hearted devotion to God alone.