2 Kings 18 12

2 Kings 18:12 kjv

Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

2 Kings 18:12 nkjv

because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed His covenant and all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded; and they would neither hear nor do them.

2 Kings 18:12 niv

This happened because they had not obeyed the LORD their God, but had violated his covenant?all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out.

2 Kings 18:12 esv

because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed.

2 Kings 18:12 nlt

For they refused to listen to the LORD their God and obey him. Instead, they violated his covenant ? all the laws that Moses the LORD's servant had commanded them to obey.

2 Kings 18 verses

2 Kings 18 12 Meaning

This verse states the fundamental reason for the Northern Kingdom of Israel's exile and downfall at the hands of Assyria. Their captivity was a direct consequence of their persistent and multi-faceted disobedience: they refused to heed God's direct voice, actively violated the covenant He established with them through Moses, and failed to internalize or carry out any of the divine commands given by Him through His servant.

2 Kings 18 12 Context

2 Kings chapter 18 begins by introducing the reign of Hezekiah, a righteous king of Judah who removed high places and faithfully obeyed the Lord. This positive portrayal of Hezekiah sharply contrasts with the state of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose recent destruction and deportation by Assyria are detailed in 2 Kings chapter 17. Verse 18:12 serves as the divine explanation for Israel's calamitous fate. It moves beyond merely describing the historical event of the Assyrian invasion, providing the theological rationale for God's judgment. This highlights the foundational biblical principle that national prosperity and continued residence in the Promised Land were conditional upon covenant fidelity. Israel's repeated and deliberate transgression of God's commands led inevitably to the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant, with exile being a primary consequence.

2 Kings 18 12 Word analysis

• "because" (יַעַן ya'an): This introductory particle emphasizes causality. It asserts that the preceding event (Israel's captivity, 2 Ki 18:11) was not random but a direct, justifiable outcome of their actions. It points to divine retribution based on righteousness.

• "they did not obey" (לֹא־שָׁמְעוּ lo'-shame'u): The root שָׁמַע (shama) means "to hear" but extends profoundly to "to listen attentively" and, crucially, "to obey." Their failure was a profound rejection of divine communication and authority, implying a conscious refusal, not mere ignorance.

• "the voice of the Lord their God" (בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם beqol YHWH Elohehem): "Voice" (קוֹל - qol) denotes divine speech or expressed will, encompassing commands, warnings, and counsel. "Lord" (יְהוָה - YHWH) refers to the personal, covenant God of Israel. "Their God" (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - Elohehem) highlights the intimate, unique relationship Israel was privileged to have, making their disobedience a specific act of rebellion against their rightful Sovereign.

• "but transgressed" (וַיַּעַבְרוּ vayya'avru): From the verb עָבַר ('avar), meaning "to pass over" or "cross over a boundary." In this context, it signifies a deliberate violation or infringement of an established legal or moral limit. It implies an active, willful breaking of terms.

• "His covenant" (בְּרִיתוֹ berito): The "covenant" (בְּרִית - berit) here refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant made at Sinai. This was a binding legal and relational agreement where God promised to be Israel's God and bless them if they obeyed His laws. To "transgress His covenant" was a complete breach of this sacred pact.

• "all that Moses" (אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר מֹשֶׁה 'et kol-'asher Mosheh): "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the disobedience, suggesting it was not a partial or occasional failing but a widespread and systemic rejection of God's complete instruction.

• "the servant of the Lord" (עֶבֶד יְהוָה 'eved YHWH): A high honorific title for Moses, designating him as God's specially appointed and faithful messenger. This emphasizes the divine origin and unchallengeable authority of the commands he mediated, removing any excuse for ignorance or questioning.

• "had commanded" (צִוָּה tzivah): From the root צָוָה (tzavah), signifying an authoritative injunction, a command, or an order given with divine power. These were not mere suggestions but binding obligations.

• "and would not hear nor do them" (וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ וְלֹא עָשׂוּ velo shamu velo asu): This phrase is a powerful summary of their profound failure. It reiterates "not hear" (shama) to emphasize their unresponsiveness to divine guidance. The addition of "nor do them" (עָשָׂה - asah, to do/make) underlines that their spiritual deafness resulted in practical disobedience. They neither internalized the message nor translated it into action, indicating a deep-seated spiritual rebellion that went beyond superficial failing.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed His covenant": This parallelism portrays Israel's multifaceted rebellion. "Not obeying the voice" highlights a relational breakdown and refusal to listen to God's living, ongoing instruction. "Transgressing His covenant" speaks to the legal and formal breach of their sworn commitment, which involved specific violations of the divine laws regarding idolatry, social justice, and worship. These two clauses emphasize both the relational and judicial aspects of their corporate sin.
  • "all that Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded": This clause specifically defines the scope and source of the neglected commands. It points directly to the Mosaic Law in its entirety, reaffirming its divine origin and authoritative delivery through God's chosen prophet, Moses. This dispels any notion that their disobedience was a misunderstanding or a disregard of minor tenets; it was a rejection of the full, fundamental divine instruction for their life.
  • "and would not hear nor do them": This culminating phrase provides a definitive indictment of Israel's attitude. It indicates a stubborn and persistent refusal to both comprehend/assimilate God's will ("hear") and implement it in their lives ("do"). Their rebellion was not an isolated incident but a pervasive and ingrained characteristic of their national conduct, resulting in their inability to walk in God's ways despite His continuous commands.

2 Kings 18 12 Bonus section

• The progression of Israel's apostasy, as detailed especially in 2 Kings 17, moved from subtle deviations to blatant idolatry and horrific practices like child sacrifice, all of which constituted direct affronts to the covenant.
• The title "their God" (for YHWH) implicitly serves as a powerful polemic against the foreign deities Israel embraced. It reminds the audience that they turned from their true God who redeemed them to gods that offered no salvation.
• The consistent failure to "hear and do" God's commands underscores a pervasive spiritual problem within Israel's corporate heart, a theme later taken up by prophets who envisioned a "new covenant" where God would write His law on their hearts, enabling true obedience (Jer 31).
• This verse emphasizes the conditional nature of the Old Covenant where blessing, prosperity, and remaining in the promised land were tied directly to Israel's faithful obedience. Their expulsion demonstrated that these promises were not unconditional grants irrespective of behavior.

2 Kings 18 12 Commentary

2 Kings 18:12 is the theological capstone explaining the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It firmly roots their destruction in their long history of covenant disobedience. Israel's failure wasn't accidental but a deliberate rejection of "the voice of the Lord their God," encompassing a continuous refusal to listen and comply with His expressed will. They fundamentally "transgressed His covenant," particularly the Mosaic Law, which governed every aspect of their national and spiritual life. By neglecting "all that Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded," they spurned divine instruction conveyed through God's most authoritative human representative. The final declaration, "would not hear nor do them," underscores a pervasive, intentional, and stubborn heart condition—they lacked both inward spiritual receptiveness and outward practical obedience. This consistent defiance activated the curses of the covenant, culminating in their exile and validating God's justice in holding His chosen people accountable for their corporate rebellion and idolatry. This stark judgment serves as a profound warning regarding the gravity of persistent disobedience to God's revealed will.