2 Kings 17:12

For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.

For they served {H5647} idols {H1544}, whereof the LORD {H3068} had said {H559} unto them, Ye shall not do {H6213} this thing {H1697}.

moreover, they served idols, something ADONAI had expressly told them not to do.

They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”

and they served idols, whereof Jehovah had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.

Commentary

2 Kings 17:12 is part of a crucial passage explaining the downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to Assyria. This verse specifically highlights one of the primary reasons for God's judgment: their widespread idolatry, which was a direct violation of His clear commands.

Context

This verse is found within a detailed account (2 Kings 17:7-23) of why God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel and carry its people into exile. Despite numerous warnings from prophets, Israel persistently turned away from the LORD, embracing the religious practices of the surrounding nations. Their serving of idols was a direct violation of the foundational covenant God made with them at Mount Sinai, particularly the first two commandments.

Key Themes

  • Disobedience to God's Explicit Commands: The phrase "whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing" underscores that Israel's sin was not due to ignorance but deliberate rebellion against God's well-known laws.
  • Idolatry as Covenant Breaking: Serving false gods was the ultimate betrayal of their covenant relationship with the LORD, who had delivered them from Egypt and established them as His unique people.
  • Divine Justice and Consequences: The verse foreshadows the theme of divine judgment, showing that God holds His people accountable for their actions and that persistent sin leads to severe repercussions, as warned in Deuteronomy 28.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "idols" translates the Hebrew term elilim, which literally means "worthless things" or "non-gods," highlighting the emptiness and impotence of the deities Israel chose to worship over the true God, YHWH (the LORD). The emphatic phrase "Ye shall not do this thing" points to God's explicit and repeated prohibitions against idolatry, found throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in Deuteronomy 4:15-19 and Deuteronomy 5:7-9.

Practical Application

While we may not bow to physical statues today, the principle of idolatry remains highly relevant. Anything that takes priority over God in our lives—be it money, career, possessions, relationships, or even self—can become an idol. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of undivided devotion to God and the serious consequences of spiritual compromise. It challenges believers to examine their hearts and ensure their allegiance is solely to the LORD, living in obedience to His revealed will, as highlighted in passages like 1 John 5:21.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 5:7

    Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

  • Deuteronomy 5:9

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me,

  • Leviticus 26:1

    ¶ Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Deuteronomy 4:23

    Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

  • Deuteronomy 4:25

    When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt [yourselves], and make a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

  • Exodus 34:14

    For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:

  • Exodus 20:3

    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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