2 Kings 17 36

2 Kings 17:36 kjv

But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.

2 Kings 17:36 nkjv

but the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship, and to Him you shall offer sacrifice.

2 Kings 17:36 niv

But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices.

2 Kings 17:36 esv

but you shall fear the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice.

2 Kings 17:36 nlt

But worship only the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him.

2 Kings 17 verses

2 Kings 17 36 Meaning

2 Kings 17:36 commands Israel to exclusively fear and worship the Lord their God, who delivered them from Egypt with great power. They are instructed to faithfully obey all His divinely written statutes, ordinances, law, and commandments forever, and to not fear or serve any other gods. This verse succinctly encapsulates the essence of the covenant relationship and serves as a direct rebuttal to the syncretistic practices of the Northern Kingdom which led to their downfall.

2 Kings 17 36 Context

2 Kings chapter 17 details the downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) by the Assyrians. The preceding verses (2 Kgs 17:7-18) explain why this judgment occurred: because Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them out of Egypt, and had feared other gods. They rejected His statutes and covenant, walking in the ways of the nations God had driven out. Verses 34 and 35 explicitly state their failure to "fear the LORD" and obey His law. Verse 36, therefore, reiterates the foundational requirement of the Mosaic Covenant, contrasting Israel's failure with God's original, clear, and unyielding demand for exclusive worship and complete obedience to His revealed law. This verse serves as a crucial theological justification for the Assyrian exile, demonstrating that Israel's rejection of God's explicit commands directly led to their punishment. The historical context is the period leading up to and including 722 BC, when the Assyrians captured Samaria, dispersed the Israelites, and settled other peoples in their land.

2 Kings 17 36 Word analysis

• But the LORD: Hebrew: ’Im (אִם), often "if" but here can introduce a strong contrast or continuation, implying "Surely" or "Only". Followed by YHWH (יהוה), the personal, covenant name of God. This stresses the uniqueness and rightful claim of Israel's God, standing in stark contrast to the pagan gods mentioned in the preceding verses. He is the Lord.
• who brought you up out of the land of Egypt: This phrase recalls the seminal redemptive act of the Exodus (yalac mimmitsraim), the foundational event establishing God's covenant with Israel. It signifies God's power, His election of Israel, and provides the fundamental reason for Israel's exclusive devotion. This deliverance is a consistent basis for covenant obedience throughout Deuteronomy.
• with great power: Hebrew: bekoah gadol (בְּכֹחַ גָּדֹול). Signifies God's immense strength and might. This power was demonstrated in the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
• and an outstretched arm: Hebrew: ûbizzrôa nṭûyah (וּבִזְרֹועַ נְטוּיָה). A well-known anthropomorphic phrase expressing divine strength, active intervention, and resolute purpose in deliverance or judgment (Exo 6:6; Deut 5:15). It vividly pictures God's unstoppable might.
• Him you shall fear: Hebrew: ôtô tīrāʾû (אֹתֹו תִירָאוּ). Tīrāʾû (from yare) denotes more than just terror; it signifies profound reverence, awe, worship, and humble submission to God's authority. This fear leads to obedience and trust, recognizing God's sovereignty and holiness. It is foundational to proper worship.
• and Him you shall worship: Hebrew: wəlô tištaḥawû (וְלֹו תִשְׁתַּחֲווּ). Tištaḥawû (from shahaḥ) literally means to bow down, prostrate oneself. It represents the physical act of adoration, complete submission, and spiritual devotion. This complements "fear," specifying the posture of honor due to God alone. The repetition and emphasis (ôtô, wəlô - Him, and to Him) reinforces exclusivity.
• and to Him you shall make sacrifice: Hebrew: wəlô tīzbaḥû (וְלֹו תִזְבָּח֑וּ). Refers to literal sacrificial offerings, a central act of ancient worship and covenant renewal in the Mosaic Law. It symbolizes total dedication, atonement, and communion. This further highlights exclusive worship and rejecting other cultic practices.
• And the statutes: Hebrew: wehaḥuqqîm (וְהַחֻקִּים). Plural of ḥoq (חֹק). Refers to prescribed laws, decrees, or fixed regulations established by divine authority, often moral or ceremonial in nature, unchangeable as if carved in stone.
• and the ordinances: Hebrew: wehammišpāṭîm (וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים). Plural of mishpaṭ (מִשְׁפָּט). Refers to judgments, decisions, or judicial rulings that determine justice and right behavior, especially in societal and ethical matters. They clarify how divine principles apply practically.
• and the law: Hebrew: wehatōrāh (וְהַתּוֹרָה). From yara (to teach, instruct). Encompasses the entire body of divine instruction or teaching, particularly the Pentateuch, God's revelation to Israel through Moses. It's the overarching divine blueprint for life.
• and the commandment: Hebrew: wehammiṣwāh (וְהַמִּצְוָה). Singular of mitzvah (מִצְוָה). Refers to a specific divine precept or injunction, an authoritative order. While often used generically, its singular form here might emphasize the comprehensive and unified nature of all God's specific commands.
• which He wrote for you: Hebrew: ’ăšer kātab lākem (אֲשֶׁר כָּתַב לָכֶם). Highlights the divine authorship and immutable nature of these laws. God Himself is the ultimate lawgiver, and they are recorded for posterity (referring primarily to the written Law given to Moses).
• you shall observe to do forever: Hebrew: tishmərû laʿăśôtām (תִּשְׁמְרוּ לַעֲשׂוֹתָם) followed by lānetzach (לָנֶצַח). Tishmərû (from shamar) means to keep, guard, obey meticulously. Laʿăśôtām (to do them) emphasizes practical application, not just knowledge. Lānetzach signifies perpetuity, indicating that these laws are binding for all generations of Israel.
• and you shall not fear other gods: Hebrew: wᵉ'lō' tīr'û 'lōhîm 'ăḥērîm (וְלֹא תִירְאוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִֽים). A direct, emphatic prohibition, forming a stark contrast and reiterating the initial command in the negative. It directly condemns the syncretistic practices and idolatry that plagued Israel. This phrase provides a polemic against all pagan cults, emphasizing YHWH's exclusive claim on Israel's reverence and allegiance.

2 Kings 17 36 Bonus section

The specific enumeration of ḥuqqîm (statutes), mišpāṭîm (ordinances), tōrāh (law), and miṣwāh (commandment) found in this verse is highly characteristic of Deuteronomic theology. It suggests a comprehensive commitment to God's covenant instructions in their entirety, rather than selective obedience or mere ritual observance. This is critical because Israel's sin was not just performing foreign rites but neglecting and rejecting the detailed life of holiness prescribed by YHWH. The use of "great power and an outstretched arm" links Israel's ethical and religious responsibilities directly to God's redemptive historical acts, emphasizing that their obedience is a grateful response to His might and faithfulness, not just an arbitrary set of rules. This deep connection between deliverance and ethical demand forms a major theme throughout the Old Testament and resonates even into the New Testament's understanding of salvation leading to sanctification.

2 Kings 17 36 Commentary

2 Kings 17:36 is a powerful Deuteronomic summary statement within the narrative explaining Israel's exile. It crystallizes the divine expectation: exclusive worship of the one true God, YHWH, based on His acts of deliverance (the Exodus), and comprehensive obedience to His entire body of revealed law. The emphasis on "Him you shall fear and Him you shall worship" uses repetition for intense emphasis on absolute allegiance. This goes beyond outward acts to inward reverence and total devotion. The subsequent enumeration of "statutes, ordinances, law, and commandment" (representing various facets of the divine covenant instruction) signifies that no part of God's revealed will is to be disregarded. The permanence conveyed by "forever" underlines that these were not temporary guidelines but an eternal covenant obligation. By explicitly stating "you shall not fear other gods," the verse directly confronts the pervasive problem of syncretism and polytheism that plagued Israel, acting as a direct theological critique of their apostasy which directly violated the very foundation of their national identity and relationship with God. Their failure to heed this foundational truth led to their judgment and dispersion. The verse therefore serves as both an indictment of past sin and an enduring call to singular devotion and complete obedience.