2 Kings 17:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They both feared ADONAI and served their own gods in the manner customary among the nations from which they had been taken away.

Berean Standard Bible:

They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away.

American Standard Version:

They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

They feared^{H3373} the LORD^{H3068}, and served^{H5647} their own gods^{H430}, after the manner^{H4941} of the nations^{H1471} whom they carried away^{H1540} from thence.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 17:33

2 Kings 17:33 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's downfall and the subsequent deportation of its people by the Assyrians. This verse specifically addresses the religious practices of the foreigners who were brought into the region of Samaria to replace the exiled Israelites. The Assyrians had a policy of resettling conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into their empire.

The verse highlights a syncretistic religious approach: these new inhabitants of Samaria "feared the LORD," indicating a recognition or reverence for Yahweh, the God of Israel. However, they also continued to "serve their own gods," maintaining their original religious practices and deities. This syncretism, or blending of religions, was "after the manner of the nations," suggesting that it was common among the various peoples within the Assyrian Empire to adopt aspects of the religions of those they conquered while still holding onto their own beliefs.

The historical context of this verse is crucial for understanding its themes. It reflects the religious compromise and confusion that arose from the cultural intermingling caused by the Assyrian conquest and resettlement policies. The passage underscores the challenges faced by the people of the ancient Near East in maintaining their religious identity amidst the influences of foreign powers and religions. It also foreshadows the later criticisms by the prophets of Israel and Judah against syncretism and the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh, which would become a central theme in the religious reforms of the subsequent periods.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3373
   There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵא
   Transliteration: yârêʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
   Description: from יָרֵא; fearing; morally, reverent; afraid, fear (-ful).
   
2. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4941
   There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
   Transliteration: mishpâṭ
   Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
   Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1471
   There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹי
   Transliteration: gôwy
   Pronunciation: go'-ee
   Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1540
   There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּלָה
   Transliteration: gâlâh
   Pronunciation: gaw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal; [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover.