2 Kings 10:29

KJV

¶ Howbeit [from] the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, [to wit], the golden calves that [were] in Bethel, and that [were] in Dan.

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit from the sins {H2399} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, who made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}, Jehu {H3058} departed {H5493} not from after {H310} them, to wit, the golden {H2091} calves {H5695} that were in Bethel {H1008}, and that were in Dan {H1835}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, Yehu did not turn away from the sins of Yarov'am the son of N'vat, with which he had led Isra'el into sin, the gold calves that were in Beit-El and Dan.

Berean Standard Bible

but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

American Standard Version

Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 10:29 delivers a somber and critical assessment of King Jehu's reign, immediately following his divinely commissioned and zealously executed purge of Baal worship from Israel. Despite his decisive and thorough actions against the house of Ahab and the prophets of Baal, Jehu tragically failed to fully eradicate idolatry from the Northern Kingdom. He persisted in the deeply entrenched and long-standing sin of Jeroboam I, the first king of Israel, who had strategically introduced the worship of golden calves in the significant religious centers of Bethel and Dan, thereby leading the nation into persistent spiritual compromise and disobedience to Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears as a pivotal moment in the narrative arc of Jehu's reign, marking a transition from his initial, divinely sanctioned zeal to a sobering evaluation of his ultimate failure. Chapters 9 and 10 of [2 Kings](/2_kings/9 "2 Kings 9 - Jehu Anointed King") meticulously detail Jehu's anointing by Elisha's prophet, his swift and brutal execution of judgment upon the house of Ahab, Jezebel, and all associated with Baal worship, including the dramatic deception and slaughter of Baal's prophets in [2 Kings 10:18-28](/2_kings/10-18 "2 Kings 10:18-28 - Jehu's Purge of Baal"). The preceding verse, [2 Kings 10:28](/2_kings/10-28 "2 Kings 10:28 - Baal Worship Destroyed"), concludes with the triumphant declaration that "Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." However, [2 Kings 10:29](/2_kings/10-29 "2 Kings 10:29 - Jehu's Partial Obedience") immediately introduces a crucial caveat, revealing that Jehu's obedience was tragically incomplete. This abrupt shift serves as a literary device to highlight the insidious nature of compromise and the enduring legacy of sin, even amidst apparent spiritual revival. The subsequent verses in [2 Kings 10](/2_kings/10 "2 Kings 10 - Jehu's Reign") then detail God's partial blessing on Jehu for his obedience in destroying Ahab's house, yet also foreshadow the eventual judgment upon Israel due to their continued idolatry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat" refer to the foundational idolatry established by Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, after the division of the united monarchy (as recounted in [1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). Fearing that his subjects would return to the Davidic dynasty in Judah if they continued to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, Jeroboam strategically set up golden calves as alternative objects of worship in two key locations: Bethel, in the south near the border with Judah, and Dan, in the far north. This act was a deliberate political maneuver disguised as religious innovation, intended to solidify his rule by preventing religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Culturally, this was a clear syncretistic blend, attempting to represent Yahweh, the God of Israel, through forbidden imagery, echoing the disastrous incident of the golden calf at Mount Sinai (cf. [Exodus 32:1-6](/exodus/32-1 "Exodus 32:1-6 - The Golden Calf")). This form of worship became the defining and persistent sin of the Northern Kingdom, passed down through generations of kings, ultimately contributing to Israel's downfall.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several critical theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings. Foremost is the theme of **Partial Obedience**, as Jehu's story starkly illustrates the danger of selective faithfulness. While he zealously fulfilled God's command to eradicate Baal worship, he failed to fully cleanse the nation of all idolatry, demonstrating that God desires complete and uncompromising obedience, not just convenient or politically advantageous adherence. Another significant theme is **The Enduring Legacy of Sin**, particularly highlighted by the recurring indictment "who made Israel to sin" (cf. [1 Kings 14:16](/1_kings/14-16 "1 Kings 14:16 - Jeroboam's Sinful Legacy")), which emphasizes the profound and lasting negative influence of Jeroboam's initial act of idolatry. This sin became deeply ingrained in the national identity and spiritual practice of Israel, perpetuating a cycle of disobedience. Furthermore, the passage addresses the insidious nature of **Compromise and Idolatry**. The golden calves, though perhaps intended by some as a visible representation of Yahweh, were fundamentally idolatrous, violating the explicit commands against making graven images and worshipping other gods (as found in [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Two Commandments")). This compromise, regardless of intent, was deeply offensive to God. Finally, the verse implicitly speaks to **God's Unchanging Standards**, demonstrating that despite Jehu's effectiveness in one area of obedience, his failure in another reveals that divine judgment is based on adherence to God's full law, not merely on partial achievements or outward displays of zeal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"who made Israel to sin" (Hebrew, _hech'ti et-Yisrael'_):** This recurring phrase is a strong and damning indictment found throughout the books of Kings, consistently linked to Jeroboam I. The verb הֶחֱטִיא (_hech'ti_) is the Hiphil (causative) stem of the root חָטָא (_chata_), meaning "to miss the mark," "to sin." Thus, it signifies not merely that Jeroboam himself sinned, but that he actively *caused* or *led* an entire nation into persistent spiritual error and idolatry. It highlights his profound, detrimental, and lasting impact on Israel's spiritual trajectory, establishing a pattern of disobedience that subsequent kings, including Jehu, continued.
* **"golden calves" (Hebrew, _eglei hazahav'_):** This refers to the two bovine images set up by Jeroboam I in Bethel and Dan. The term "calf" (עֵגֶל, _egel_) is often used to denote a young bull. These images were not necessarily intended to replace Yahweh entirely, but rather to serve as visible, tangible representations of Him, or perhaps as pedestals upon which an invisible Yahweh was thought to stand. However, this practice was a direct violation of the second commandment against making graven images (cf. [Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - No Graven Images")), and it quickly devolved into outright idolatry, associating Yahweh with pagan fertility cults and diminishing His transcendence. Their "golden" nature emphasized their perceived value and permanence, yet they represented a deep spiritual compromise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit [from] the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat":** This opening clause immediately introduces the central indictment against Jehu. The phrase "sins of Jeroboam" is a theological shorthand in the Old Testament, referring specifically to the establishment of the golden calf cults in Bethel and Dan, which became the defining idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. It signifies a departure from the singular worship of Yahweh at His prescribed sanctuary in Jerusalem.
* **"who made Israel to sin":** This parenthetical yet crucial descriptor reiterates Jeroboam's profound and lasting negative influence. He was not merely a personal sinner but actively led the entire nation into a systematic and generational pattern of spiritual rebellion, diverting them from true worship and setting a precedent for subsequent kings to follow.
* **"Jehu departed not from after them":** This is the damning verdict on Jehu's reign. Despite his initial zeal and divinely appointed mission to cleanse Israel of Baal worship, he failed to complete the spiritual reformation. "Departed not from after them" indicates a continuation, a lack of full repentance and adherence to God's complete will. His reformation was selective, not comprehensive.
* **"[to wit], the golden calves that [were] in Bethel, and that [were] in Dan":** This specifies the particular sin Jehu continued. It clarifies that Jehu's failure was not vague but directly tied to the established state-sponsored idolatry of the golden calves. Bethel and Dan were strategically chosen by Jeroboam for their geographical significance as northern and southern border cities, serving as alternative pilgrimage sites to Jerusalem, but their existence represented a fundamental rejection of God's covenant and His exclusive claim on Israel's worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Leitmotif**, particularly with the phrase "the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin." This recurring phrase throughout the books of Kings serves as a constant reminder of the foundational idolatry of the Northern Kingdom and its enduring consequences, creating a sense of tragic inevitability for Israel's spiritual decline. There is also profound **Irony** at play: Jehu, commissioned by God to purge Israel of one form of idolatry (Baal worship), himself perpetuates another, deeply ingrained form of idolatry (the golden calves). His zeal is shown to be partial, highlighting the hypocrisy of a leader who cleanses the nation outwardly but fails to purify it, or himself, inwardly. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Jehu's incomplete obedience signals the continued spiritual deterioration of Israel, ultimately leading to their exile, demonstrating that God's judgment is not averted by partial compliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that God demands complete and uncompromising obedience, not selective or convenient adherence. Jehu's failure to dismantle the golden calf cult, despite his divinely empowered zeal against Baal, reveals a critical flaw in his spiritual commitment. His actions were perhaps motivated by political expediency—maintaining the religious status quo established by Jeroboam I to prevent his subjects from returning to Judah—rather than a pure devotion to Yahweh alone. This highlights the insidious nature of compromise, where even a divinely appointed leader can fall short of God's perfect standard, demonstrating that God's covenant demands exclusive worship and total allegiance, rejecting any syncretistic blending of true worship with humanly devised forms. The enduring legacy of Jeroboam's sin serves as a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched spiritual error can become, passing from generation to generation and resisting even zealous attempts at reform if they are not thorough.

* [Deuteronomy 12:29-32](/deuteronomy/12-29 "Deuteronomy 12:29-32 - Warning Against Syncretism")
* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jehu in 2 Kings 10:29 serves as a powerful and enduring warning for believers today, challenging us to examine the depth and sincerity of our own obedience to God. It's easy to be zealous in areas where our actions are visible, applauded, or align with our personal preferences, while neglecting hidden sins, areas of compromise, or commands that require greater sacrifice. Jehu's failure reminds us that God desires complete faithfulness, not just convenient or politically advantageous adherence. We are called to a radical, holistic discipleship that purges all forms of idolatry from our lives, whether they are overt acts of worship to false gods or subtle allegiances to anything that competes for God's rightful place in our hearts—such as comfort, success, approval, tradition, or even good works done in our own strength. True spiritual reformation, both individually and corporately, requires a thorough cleansing, not merely a superficial or partial one.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where might I be practicing selective obedience in my life or faith, zealously pursuing some commands while neglecting others?**
* **What "golden calves" or idols might I be unknowingly clinging to that compete for God's rightful place in my heart, even if they appear to be "good" things?**
* **How can I pursue thorough spiritual cleansing and avoid the long-term dangers of unaddressed compromise in my personal walk with God and within my community?**
* **In what ways might my actions, like Jeroboam's, be inadvertently leading others into spiritual compromise or a diluted faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jehu not fully eradicate idolatry, despite his zeal against Baal?**

Answer: Jehu's failure to remove the golden calves of Jeroboam was likely rooted in political pragmatism rather than a lack of religious conviction against idolatry itself. While he was zealous in destroying Baal worship, which was a foreign import associated with the corrupt Ahab dynasty, the golden calf cult had been the state-sanctioned religion of the Northern Kingdom since its inception under Jeroboam I (as detailed in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom")). Removing these calves would have meant dismantling the very religious infrastructure that bound the northern tribes to his rule and prevented them from returning to worship in Jerusalem, potentially undermining his political stability and authority. Thus, Jehu's obedience was partial, driven by a mix of divine commission and human expediency, demonstrating that even those used by God can fall short of complete faithfulness when confronted with perceived political or personal costs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of Jehu's partial obedience and the enduring "sins of Jeroboam" in 2 Kings 10:29 powerfully underscores humanity's inherent inability to achieve full and sustained righteousness, pointing directly to our desperate need for a perfect deliverer. Jehu's zeal against Baal was commendable, yet his compromise with the golden calves reveals that even the most fervent human efforts fall short of God's absolute standard for worship and obedience. This narrative foreshadows the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. Unlike Jehu, who could only offer partial cleansing, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all righteousness through His life of flawless obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross (as seen in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Humility and Obedience")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not just a specific form of idolatry, but all sin, including the deep-seated idolatry of the human heart that clings to "golden calves" of comfort, self-reliance, or anything that usurps God's rightful place (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides not merely an outward purge but a radical, inward transformation, giving us a new heart and a new spirit that enables us to walk in His statutes and keep His rules (as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). He calls us to worship God in spirit and truth, eradicating all forms of compromise and leading us into a complete and unblemished devotion to the One true God (see [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.