TRV
Translation
King James Version
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
KJV (with Strong's)
Yet the LORD H3068 testified H5749 against Israel H3478, and against Judah H3063, by H3027 all the prophets H5030, and by all the seers H2374, saying H559, Turn H7725 ye from your evil H7451 ways H1870, and keep H8104 my commandments H4687 and my statutes H2708, according to all the law H8451 which I commanded H6680 your fathers H1, and which I sent H7971 to you by H3027 my servants H5650 the prophets H5030.
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI had warned Isra'el and Y'hudah in advance through every prophet and seer, "Turn from your evil ways; and obey my mitzvot and regulations, in accordance with the entire Torah which I ordered your ancestors to keep and which I sent to you through my servants the prophets."
Berean Standard Bible
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
American Standard Version
Yet Jehovah testified unto Israel, and unto Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
World English Bible Messianic
Yet the LORD testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Notwithstanding the Lord testified to Israel, and to Iudah by all the Prophets, and by all the Seers, saying, Turne from your euill wayes, and keepe my commandements and my statutes, according to all the Lawe, which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my seruants the Prophets.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah testifieth against Israel, and against Judah, by the hand of every prophet, and every seer, saying, `Turn back from your evil ways, and keep My commands, My statutes, according to all the law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent unto you by the hand of My servants the prophets;'
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Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Kings 17 verses 7–23
7 ¶ For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.
9 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
11 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:
12 For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
19 Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
20 And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
21 For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.
22 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;
23 Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.
Though the destruction of the kingdom of the ten tribes was but briefly related, it is in these verses largely commented upon by our historian, and the reasons of it assigned, not taken from the second causes - the weakness of Israel, their impolitic management, and the strength and growing greatness of the Assyrian monarch (these things are overlooked) - but only from the First Cause. Observe, 1. It was the Lord that removed Israel out of his sight; whoever were the instruments, he was the author of this calamity. It was destruction from the Almighty; the Assyrian was but the rod of his anger, Isa 10:5. It was the Lord that rejected the seed of Israel, else their enemies could not have seized upon them, Kg2 17:20. Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? Did not the Lord? Isa 43:24. We lose the benefit of national judgments if we do not eye the hand of God in them, and the fulfilling of the scripture, for that also is taken notice of here (Kg2 17:23): The Lord removed Israel out of his favour, and out of their own land, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. Rather shall heaven and earth pass than one tittle of God's word fall to the ground. When God's word and his works are compared, it will be found not only that they agree, but that they illustrate each other. But why would God ruin a people that were raised and incorporated, as Israel was, by miracles and oracles? Why would he undo that which he himself had done at so vast an expense? Was it purely an act of sovereignty? No, it was an act of necessary justice. For, 2. They provoked him to do this by their wickedness. Was it God's doing? Nay, it was their own; by their way and their doings they procured all this to themselves, and it was their own wickedness that did correct them. This the sacred historian shows here at large, that it might appear that God did them no wrong and that others might hear and fear. Come and see what it was that did all this mischief, that broke their power and laid their honour in the dust; it was sin; that, and nothing else, separated between them and God. This is here very movingly laid open as the cause of all the desolations of Israel. He here shows,
I. What God had done for Israel, to engage them to serve him. 1. He gave them their liberty (Kg2 17:7): He brought them from under the hand of Pharaoh who oppressed them, asserted their freedom (Israel is my son), and effected their freedom with a high hand. Thus they were bound in duty and gratitude to be his servants, for he had loosed their bonds; nor would he that rescued them out of the hand of the king of Egypt have contradicted himself so far as to deliver them into the hand of the king of Assyria, as he did, if they had not, by their iniquity, betrayed their liberty and sold themselves. 2. He gave them their law, and was himself their king. They were immediately under a divine regimen. They could not plead ignorance of good and evil, sin and duty, for God had particularly charged them against those very things which here he charges them with (Kg2 17:15), That they should not do like the heathen. Nor could they be in any doubt concerning their obligation to observe the laws which they are here charged with rejecting, for they were the commandments and statutes of the Lord their God (Kg2 17:13), so that no room was left to dispute whether they should keep them or no. He had not dealt so with other nations, Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20. 3. He gave them their land, for he cast out the heathen from before them (Kg2 17:8), to make room for them; and the casting out of them for their idolatries was as fair a warning as could be given to Israel not to do like them.
II. What they had done against God, notwithstanding these engagements which he had laid upon them. 1. In general. They sinned against the Lord their God (Kg2 17:7), they did those things that were not right (Kg2 17:9), but secretly. So wedded were they to their evil practices that when they could not do them publicly, could not for shame or could not for fear, they would do them secretly - an evidence of their atheism, that they thought what was done in secret was from under the eye of God himself and would not be required. Again, they wrought wicked things in such a direct contradiction to the divine law that they seemed as if they were done on purpose to provoke the Lord to anger (Kg2 17:11), in contempt of his authority and defiance of his justice. They rejected God's statutes and his covenant (Kg2 17:15), would not be bound up either by his command or the consent they themselves had given to the covenant, but threw off the obligations of both, and therefore God justly rejected them, Kg2 17:20. See Hos 4:6. They left all the commandments of the Lord their God (Kg2 17:16), left the way, left the work, which those commandments prescribed them and directed them in. Nay, lastly, they sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, that is, they wholly addicted themselves to sin, as slaves to the service of those to whom they are sold, and, by their obstinately persisting in sin, so hardened their own hearts that at length it had become morally impossible for them to recover themselves, as one that has sold himself has put his liberty past recall. 2. In particular. Though they were guilty (no doubt) of many immoralities, and violated all the commands of the second table, yet nothing is here specified, but their idolatry. This was the sin that did most easily beset them; this was, of all sins, most provoking to God: it was the spiritual adultery that broke the marriage-covenant, and was the inlet of all other wickedness. Hence it is again and again mentioned here as the sin that ruined them. (1.) They feared other gods (Kg2 17:7), that is, worshipped them and paid their homage to them, as if they feared their displeasure. (2.) They walked in the statutes of the heathen, which were contrary to God's statutes (Kg2 17:8), did as did the heathen (Kg2 17:11), went after the heathen that were round about them (Kg2 17:15), so prostituting the honour of their peculiarity, and defeating God's design concerning them, which was that they should be distinguished from the heathen. Must those that were taught of God go to school to the heathen - those that were appropriated to God take their measures from the nations that were abandoned by him? (3.) They walked in the statutes of the idolatrous kings of Israel (Kg2 17:8), in all the sins of Jeroboam, Kg2 17:22. When their kings assumed a power to alter and add to the divine institutions they submitted to them, and thought the command of their kings would bear them out in disobedience to the command of their God. (4.) They built themselves high places in all their cities, Kg2 17:9. If in any place there was but the tower of the watchmen (a country tower that had no walls, but only a tower to shelter the watch in time of danger), or but a lodge for shepherds, it must be honoured with a high place, and that with an altar. If there was a fenced city, it must be further fortified with a high place. Having forsaken God's only place, they knew no end of high places, in which every man followed his own fancy and directed his devotion to what god he pleased. Sacred things were hereby profaned and laid common, when their altars were as heaps in the furrows of the field, Hos 12:11. (5.) They set them up images and groves - Asherim (even wooden images, so some think the term, which we translate groves, should be rendered) or Ashtaroth (so others) - directed contrary to the second commandment, Kg2 17:10. They served idols (Kg2 17:12), the works of their own hands and creatures of their own fancy, though God had warned them particularly not to do this thing. (6.) They burnt incense in all the high places, to the honour of strange gods, for it was to the dishonour of the true God, Kg2 17:11. (7.) They followed vanity. Idols are called so, because they could do neither good nor evil, but were the most insignificant things that could be; those that worshipped them were like unto them, and so they became vain and good for nothing (Kg2 17:16), vain in their devotions, which were brutish and ridiculous, and so became vain in their whole conversation. (8.) Besides the molten images, even the two calves, they worshipped all the host of heaven - the sun, moon, and stars: for it is not meant of the heavenly host of angels; they could not rise so far above sensible things as to think of them. And, withal, they served Baal, the deified heroes of the Gentiles, Kg2 17:16. (9.) They caused their children to pass through the fire, in token of their dedicating them to their idols. (10.) They used divinations and enchantments, that they might receive directions from the gods to whom they paid their devotions.
III. What means God used with them, to bring them off from their idolatries, and to how little purpose. He testified against them, showed them their sins and warned them of the fatal consequences of them by all the prophets and all the seers (for so the prophets had been formerly called), and pressed them to turn from their evil ways, Kg2 17:13. We have read of prophets, more or less, in every reign. Though they had forsaken God's family of priests, he did not leave them without a succession of prophets, who made it their business to teach them the good knowledge of the Lord, but all in vain (Kg2 17:14); they would not hear, but hardened their necks, persisted in their idolatries, and were like their fathers, that would not bow their necks to God's yoke, because they did not believe in him, did not receive his truths, nor would venture upon his promises: it seems to refer to their fathers in the wilderness; the same sin that kept them out of Canaan turned these out, and that was unbelief.
IV. How God punished them for their sins. He was very angry with them (Kg2 17:18); for, in the matter of his worship, he is a jealous God, and resents nothing more deeply than giving that honour to any creature which is due to himself only. He afflicted them (Kg2 17:20) and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, in the days of the judges and of Saul, and afterwards in the days of most of their kings, to see if they would be awakened by the judgments of God to consider and amend their ways; but, when all these corrections did not prevail to drive out the folly, God first rent Israel from the house of David, under which they might have been happy. As Judah was hereby weakened, so Israel was hereby corrupted; for they made a man king who drove them from following the Lord and caused them to sin a great sin, Kg2 17:21. This was a national judgment, and the punishment of their former idolatries; and, at length, he removed them quite out of his sight (Kg2 17:18, Kg2 17:23), without giving them any hopes of a return out of their captivity.
Lastly, Here is a complaint against Judah in the midst of all (Kg2 17:19): Also Judah kept not the commandments of God; though they were not as yet quite so bad as Israel, yet they walked in the statutes of Israel; and this aggravated the sin of Israel, that they communicated the infection of it to Judah; see Eze 23:11. Those that bring sin into a country or family bring a plague into it and will have to answer for all the mischief that follows.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–23. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
2 Kings 17:13 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and persistent grace towards His covenant people, Israel and Judah, despite their escalating rebellion. It encapsulates the divine rationale for the impending judgments, revealing that the LORD meticulously and repeatedly sent His prophets and seers to deliver urgent warnings, imploring the kingdoms to abandon their idolatrous and wicked practices. This verse underscores God's righteous character, demonstrating that His ultimate judgment was not arbitrary but a just consequence of prolonged and unheeded calls to repentance and a return to the foundational Mosaic Law given to their ancestors.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and sobering message. Repetition is prominently featured, with the phrases "all the prophets" and "all the seers" emphasizing the exhaustive, continuous, and undeniable nature of God's warnings. This rhetorical device powerfully underscores divine patience while simultaneously highlighting the people's inexcusable culpability. Parallelism is also evident in the pairing of "Israel, and against Judah," which effectively highlights their shared guilt and the universal scope of God's righteous judgment. Similarly, the coupling of "commandments [and] my statutes" emphasizes the comprehensive and holistic nature of the divine law. The phrase "the LORD testified" employs Anthropomorphism, attributing a human-like legal action to God, thereby making His divine justice relatable and emphasizing His active, personal involvement in the covenant relationship. This formal "testimony" evokes the imagery of a divine courtroom, where God meticulously presents His case, making Israel's eventual judgment appear as a just and inevitable verdict rather than arbitrary wrath. The entire verse functions as a concise Summary Statement or Theological Explanation, providing the divine rationale and moral justification for the tragic historical events described in the preceding verses of 2 Kings 17.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 17:13 serves as a powerful theological anchor, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in the midst of their profound rebellion. It reveals a God who is simultaneously just and immensely patient, consistently providing warnings and abundant opportunities for repentance before enacting judgment. This divine pattern of warning preceding judgment is a recurring and foundational motif throughout Scripture, profoundly demonstrating God's inherent desire for humanity's return to Him rather than their destruction. The verse underscores the critical and indispensable role of divine revelation, particularly through the prophetic office, as the primary means by which God communicates His sovereign will and calls His people to account. It also highlights the unchanging nature of God's moral and ethical expectations, which are eternally rooted in the foundational Law given at Sinai, remaining the immutable standard for His people across all generations. The tragic outcome for Israel, despite these persistent and comprehensive warnings, stands as a sobering and enduring reminder of the severe consequences of unheeded divine counsel and persistent, willful disobedience.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound message embedded in 2 Kings 17:13 resonates deeply with contemporary believers, serving as a powerful and timeless reminder of God's enduring patience and His consistent, gracious call to repentance. Just as He "testified against Israel and Judah" through His chosen prophets, God continues to speak to us today with clarity and conviction through His inspired Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the collective wisdom and counsel of the church. This verse challenges each of us to earnestly consider how diligently we listen to and obey God's voice in our daily lives. Are we quick to "turn from our evil ways" when confronted with sin, embracing genuine repentance, or do we, like ancient Israel, stubbornly persist in patterns of rebellion and self-will? The spiritual consequences of ignoring divine warnings are severe, inevitably leading to spiritual barrenness, diminished fellowship, and separation from the fullness of God's blessings. This passage calls us to a life of continual self-examination, profound humility, and active, joyful obedience to God's "commandments and statutes," recognizing that God's desire for our holiness is ultimately for our deepest good, flourishing, and eternal joy. It invites us to embrace the transformative grace that empowers us to repent and walk in faithful alignment with His perfect will.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that the LORD "testified against" Israel and Judah?
Answer: The phrase "testified against" (from the Hebrew ʻûwd) implies a formal, legal-like warning or solemn admonition from God. It suggests that God was acting as a righteous judge, meticulously presenting His case against His people for their persistent unfaithfulness to the covenant. This was not a casual complaint but a grave, repeated declaration, often delivered through His appointed messengers, the prophets and seers. It signifies that God clearly communicated their transgressions and the impending consequences of their actions, leaving them without any legitimate excuse for their widespread disobedience. This divine act of "testifying" profoundly highlights God's inherent justice and His unwavering commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant, which explicitly included both blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience, as comprehensively outlined in Deuteronomy 28.
Who were "all the prophets" and "all the seers" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: "All the prophets" (Hebrew: nâbîyʼ) and "all the seers" (Hebrew: chôzeh) refer to the long and continuous line of God's chosen messengers throughout Israel's history, spanning many centuries. These included prominent figures whose ministries are recorded in the Old Testament, such as Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, among countless others. Prophets were divinely called individuals whose primary role was to speak God's word directly to the people, often challenging their pervasive sin, calling them back to covenant faithfulness, and foretelling future events. Seers were those who received divine visions or direct spiritual insights, often complementing the prophetic message. The emphatic use of "all" underscores the comprehensive, consistent, and persistent nature of God's warnings; He left no stone unturned in His tireless efforts to communicate His divine will and call His people to repentance before the inevitable judgment. Their collective message was remarkably consistent: "Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes."
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Kings 17:13, while meticulously detailing Israel's historical failure to heed divine warnings, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate divine testimony and gracious call to repentance found supremely in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets were God's "servants" delivering His partial and progressive message, but in Christ, God Himself speaks directly, fully, and definitively. Jesus is the ultimate Prophet promised by Moses, the very Word of God incarnate, made flesh (John 1:14), who perfectly embodies and flawlessly fulfills "all the law" that Israel consistently failed to keep. His earthly ministry commenced with the same urgent, life-altering call: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Crucially, unlike the temporary warnings and legal pronouncements of the prophets, Jesus's testimony against sin culminated not merely in judgment but in His perfect, atoning sacrifice on the cross, offering not just a call to repentance but the very means by which it can be truly achieved and complete forgiveness eternally secured (Romans 5:8). In the glorious New Covenant, the "commandments and statutes" are no longer merely external laws to be obeyed by human effort but are supernaturally written on the hearts and minds of believers by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33), enabling true, Spirit-empowered obedience and a radically transformed life. Thus, God's persistent, long-suffering call to "turn ye from your evil ways" finds its ultimate, most gracious, and redemptive fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is eternally the Way, the Truth, and the Life, leading all humanity back into perfect fellowship with God (John 14:6).