2 Kings 17:11

KJV

And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:

KJV (with Strong's)

And there they burnt incense {H6999} in all the high places {H1116}, as did the heathen {H1471} whom the LORD {H3068} carried away {H1540} before {H6440} them; and wrought {H6213} wicked {H7451} things {H1697} to provoke the LORD {H3068} to anger {H3707}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they would make offerings on all the high places, like the nations ADONAI had expelled ahead of them, and would do wicked things to provoke the anger of ADONAI;

Berean Standard Bible

They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.

American Standard Version

and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Jehovah carried away before them; and they wrought wicked things to provoke Jehovah to anger;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 17:11 profoundly articulates the deep spiritual apostasy of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, detailing their widespread adoption of pagan worship practices. This verse underscores their deliberate imitation of the very idolatry that led to the expulsion of the Canaanite nations from the land, culminating in actions specifically designed to provoke the righteous anger of the LORD. It serves as a stark indictment of Israel’s persistent covenant unfaithfulness, setting the theological stage for the inevitable divine judgment and their subsequent exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Second Kings 17:11 is strategically placed within a pivotal chapter that provides the theological rationale for the downfall and Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The preceding verses, particularly [2 Kings 17:7-10](/2_kings/17-7-10 "2 Kings 17:7-10 - Israel's Persistent Sins"), enumerate a comprehensive list of Israel's transgressions, emphasizing their abandonment of the LORD's covenant commands and their eager embrace of foreign religious customs. Verse 11 specifically elaborates on the nature of their idolatry, highlighting the pervasive use of "high places" and the burning of incense, practices that directly violated the Mosaic Law and the call for exclusive worship of Yahweh. This verse functions as a crucial bridge, detailing the specific acts of rebellion that intensified God's wrath, leading directly into the narrative of Samaria's siege and Israel's deportation by the Assyrians, as described in [2 Kings 17:18-23](/2_kings/17-18-23 "2 Kings 17:18-23 - The Lord's Rejection of Israel and Exile"). It powerfully underscores the prophetic warnings that went unheeded, demonstrating the justness of God's judgment as a direct consequence of their persistent covenant breaking.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*) were elevated cultic sites, often situated on hills or artificial mounds, which held a long and complex history in the ancient Near East. While some might have initially been used for legitimate Yahwistic worship, they became increasingly corrupted, serving as prevalent centers for pagan rituals, including the burning of incense to foreign deities such as Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven. This practice was explicitly forbidden by God, who commanded Israel to utterly destroy such sites belonging to the Canaanites whom they dispossessed ([Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2-3 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Pagan Altars")). The comparison to "the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them" is profoundly significant, referring to the Canaanite nations. Israel, having witnessed God's judgment against these nations for their abominable practices, ironically adopted and perpetuated those very same idolatries. This deliberate imitation of pagan worship, despite clear covenant stipulations and the historical precedent of divine judgment, constituted a severe breach of their covenant with the LORD, marking a profound act of defiance that ultimately led to their own exile to Assyria.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes found throughout 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it vividly portrays the pervasive nature of **idolatry and syncretism** within Israel. The burning of incense on high places was a clear act of worship directed towards false deities, representing a direct violation of the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment") and the broader covenantal call to exclusive worship of Yahweh. Secondly, it underscores **disobedience and rebellion** as core characteristics of Israel's relationship with God. Their actions were not merely mistaken but a conscious choice to "wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger," indicating a deliberate rejection of God's laws and persistent defiance despite repeated prophetic warnings. Thirdly, the phrase "provoke the LORD to anger" highlights the theme of **divine anger and righteous judgment**. God's anger is not a capricious human emotion but a holy and just indignation against injustice, unholiness, and covenant breaking, which ultimately led to the [Assyrian captivity](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Assyrian Captivity of Israel"), a major consequence outlined in this chapter. Finally, the verse serves as a powerful testament to the **consequences of sin**, mirroring the fate of the nations God had previously judged, demonstrating the immutable principle that persistent unfaithfulness brings severe repercussions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High Places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** The term בָּמָה (_bâmâh_), translated as "high places," refers to elevated cultic sites, which could be natural hills or artificial mounds. According to H1116, it signifies "an elevation; height, high place, wave." These sites became ubiquitous throughout Israel, and while some may have initially been used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, they were increasingly corrupted into centers for pagan rituals, including the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other foreign deities. Their widespread presence, as indicated by "all the high places," signifies the pervasive nature of Israel's idolatry and syncretism, demonstrating a complete disregard for God's command to centralize worship in Jerusalem and to destroy all pagan altars.
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** The Hebrew word גּוֹי (_gôwy_), according to H1471, refers to "a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile." It can also figuratively denote "a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts." In this context, "the heathen" specifically refers to the Canaanite nations whom the LORD had dispossessed from the land before Israel. The comparison highlights Israel's profound failure to learn from God's past judgments. By adopting the abominable practices of these "foreign nations," Israel deliberately chose to mimic the very peoples whose wickedness led to their divine expulsion, thereby forfeiting their unique covenant identity and inviting similar judgment.
* **Provoke to Anger (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** The Hebrew verb כָּעַס (_kaʻaç_), as defined by H3707, means "to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant; be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth." When applied to God, it describes His righteous displeasure and holy wrath in response to deliberate and persistent sin, particularly idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. It implies that Israel's actions were not accidental or unwitting, but a conscious and repeated offense that deeply grieved and angered the holy God, leading to a just and measured divine response rather than an impulsive outburst.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there they burnt incense in all the high places,"**: This opening clause describes the primary idolatrous act of the Northern Kingdom. "Incense" (קְטֹרֶת, *qetoret*) was a central element in both legitimate Israelite worship (as commanded for the Tabernacle/Temple) and pagan rituals. Its burning symbolized prayer, devotion, and an offering to a deity. By burning incense "in all the high places," Israel was offering worship and devotion to false gods, thereby transferring their allegiance from the LORD to idols, a direct violation of the covenant. The phrase "all the high places" emphasizes the widespread and pervasive nature of this apostasy across the entire Northern Kingdom, indicating a systemic spiritual failure.
* **"as [did] the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them;"**: This is a crucial comparative clause, highlighting Israel's profound failure to learn from history and God's past judgments. "The heathen" refers to the Canaanite nations (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites) whom the LORD had dispossessed from the land to make way for Israel. Their expulsion was a direct consequence of their abominable practices, including idolatry and child sacrifice. Israel, the chosen people, was now mimicking the very practices that led to the destruction of these nations, demonstrating a shocking spiritual blindness and a deliberate rejection of their unique covenant identity and the lessons of divine justice. The verb "carried away" (H1540, _gâlâh'_) here implies exile or removal, foreshadowing Israel's own impending deportation.
* **"and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:"**: This final clause summarizes the spiritual essence and consequence of their actions. "Wrought wicked things" (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ דְּבָרִים רָעִים, *vayya'asu devarim ra'im*), using H6213 (_ʻâsâh'_) for "wrought" (to do or make) and H7451 (_raʻ'_) for "wicked" (bad or evil), signifies their deliberate engagement in evil practices, not merely passive neglect. The explicit purpose or outcome of these actions was "to provoke the LORD to anger." This phrase underscores the intentionality of Israel's rebellion and the righteous nature of God's response. God's anger is not arbitrary but a just reaction to their persistent and defiant unfaithfulness, setting the stage for the divine judgment that would soon befall them.

#### Literary Devices
Second Kings 17:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of Israel's profound apostasy and impending judgment. **Juxtaposition** is central, contrasting Israel's covenant obligations and their unique relationship with Yahweh with their chosen imitation of the "heathen" nations. This highlights the profound irony of a people called to be distinct becoming indistinguishable from those God had judged. The phrase "provoke the LORD to anger" is a form of **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human emotion (anger) to God. However, this is not a capricious human emotion but a theological statement conveying God's righteous indignation and just response to covenant breaking and spiritual adultery. The **repetition** of themes related to idolatry and disobedience throughout 2 Kings 17 (and indeed, the entire Deuteronomistic History) serves to emphasize the cumulative nature of Israel's sin and the inevitability of divine judgment. The verse also functions as a form of **foreshadowing**, implicitly pointing to the coming Assyrian exile as the direct, divinely ordained consequence of the "wicked things" Israel "wrought."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Second Kings 17:11 stands as a stark testament to the immutable nature of God's holiness and His unyielding demand for exclusive worship. It reveals that idolatry is not merely a misguided practice but a profound act of spiritual rebellion, a direct affront to the Creator who delivered Israel from slavery and entered into a covenant with them. The verse underscores the theological principle that God's covenant promises are conditional upon faithfulness, and persistent unfaithfulness, particularly through the adoption of pagan practices, inevitably leads to divine judgment. Israel's failure to learn from the fate of the Canaanites demonstrates a deep-seated spiritual blindness and a willful rejection of God's sovereignty. This narrative serves as a timeless warning against syncretism and the dangers of allowing anything to usurp God's rightful place in one's life, emphasizing that God's righteous anger is a just response to such deliberate and sustained rebellion against His divine authority and love.

* [Deuteronomy 4:23-26](/deuteronomy/4-23-26 "Deuteronomy 4:23-26 - Warning Against Idolatry and Its Consequences")
* [Romans 1:18-25](/romans/1-18-25 "Romans 1:18-25 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness and Idolatry")
* [1 Corinthians 10:14](/1_corinthians/10-14 "1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account of Israel's downfall in 2 Kings 17:11 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. While we may not burn physical incense on literal high places, the temptation to engage in modern forms of idolatry remains ever-present and insidious. Anything that occupies the supreme place in our hearts and lives—be it career success, material possessions, relationships, personal comfort, self-image, or even political ideologies—can become an idol, subtly diverting our worship and ultimate devotion from the one true God. This verse calls us to a rigorous and honest self-examination, to discern what truly holds our allegiance and to repent of any divided loyalties. It reminds us that God's character and His commands are unchanging; deliberate disobedience and spiritual compromise still grieve His Spirit and provoke His righteous displeasure. Just as Israel was called to be distinct from the surrounding nations, so too are believers called to live set apart, reflecting God's holiness and truth in a fallen world. Learning from Israel's tragic history compels us to cultivate a steadfast commitment to exclusive worship of God, understanding that true freedom, lasting joy, and abundant blessing are found only in wholehearted obedience and undivided devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "high places" or "incense burning" equivalents in my life today that might be subtly diverting my worship or ultimate devotion from God?**
* **How does Israel's deliberate act of "wrought wicked things" challenge my understanding of casual sin versus intentional rebellion against God's known will?**
* **In what specific ways might I be failing to learn from the historical warnings and examples of disobedience found in Scripture, particularly regarding the consequences of spiritual compromise?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a more exclusive and undivided devotion to God in a world filled with competing allegiances and distractions?**

### FAQ
**Why were "high places" so problematic if they were sometimes used for legitimate worship?**

Answer: While some "high places" might have initially been used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, their inherent problem lay in their association with pagan practices and, more critically, their direct violation of God's command for centralized worship. God explicitly commanded Israel to destroy the high places of the Canaanites ([Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2-3 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Pagan Sites")) and to worship Him exclusively at the single place He would choose (which became Jerusalem, the site of the Temple). The "high places" became problematic because they fostered syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with the corrupt rituals and deities of surrounding pagan cultures. This led to a corrupted form of worship that was an abomination to the LORD, as clearly seen in [2 Kings 17:10](/2_kings/17-10 "2 Kings 17:10 - Israel's Idolatry on High Places").

**What does it mean that Israel "provoked the LORD to anger"?**

Answer: The phrase "provoke the LORD to anger" (Hebrew: *kaʻaç*, H3707) signifies that Israel's actions were not merely accidental or ignorant, but deliberate and persistent acts of rebellion against God's covenant and His holy character. God's anger is not a human emotion of petulance or loss of temper; rather, it is a righteous, holy, and just indignation against sin, unholiness, and covenant breaking. It implies that Israel's continuous idolatry and disobedience were a direct affront to His holiness, a rejection of His loving guidance, and a breach of their covenant relationship, leading to a just divine response, as evidenced by the subsequent judgment and exile described in [2 Kings 17:18](/2_kings/17-18 "2 Kings 17:18 - The Lord's Rejection of Israel").

**How does Israel's sin in 2 Kings 17:11 relate to the concept of covenant?**

Answer: Israel's sin in 2 Kings 17:11 is fundamentally a profound breach of their covenant with the LORD. The Mosaic Covenant, established at Sinai, required exclusive worship of Yahweh and explicitly forbade idolatry ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")). By burning incense to false gods on high places and adopting the practices of the "heathen," Israel directly violated the core tenets of this covenant. Their actions demonstrated a rejection of their unique identity as God's chosen people and a blatant disregard for the blessings and curses outlined in the covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")). This verse highlights that their idolatry was not just a religious error but a profound act of covenant infidelity, leading directly to the covenant curses of exile and dispersion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic failure of Israel to remain faithful to their covenant, as vividly depicted in 2 Kings 17:11, ultimately points to the profound necessity of Jesus Christ. Israel's persistent idolatry and inherent inability to perfectly obey God's commands on their own underscores humanity's pervasive sinfulness and our desperate need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant. Where Israel "wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger," Jesus, the true and faithful Israel, perfectly obeyed the Father in every respect, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He did not burn incense to false gods but offered Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ inaugurated a new covenant, not based on human performance but on His finished work, enabling true worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is the one who fulfills the righteous demands of the law and provides the means for reconciliation with a holy God, offering forgiveness for the very idolatry and rebellion that plagued ancient Israel and continues to plague humanity, freeing us from the empty deceptions of the world ([Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Empty Deception")) and drawing us into true, unadulterated worship of the Father.

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.

Cross-References

1 Kings 13:1

¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

2 Chronicles 28:25

And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.

Psalms 78:56

Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

Psalms 78:58

For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

2 Kings 21:6

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.