2 Kings 17:17

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.

And they caused their sons {H1121} and their daughters {H1323} to pass {H5674} through the fire {H784}, and used {H7080} divination {H7081} and enchantments {H5172}, and sold {H4376} themselves to do {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, to provoke him to anger {H3707}.

They had their sons and daughters pass through fire [as a sacrifice]. They used divination and magic spells. And they gave themselves over to do what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, thereby provoking him;

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

Commentary

2 Kings 17:17 stands as a solemn indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), detailing the egregious sins that ultimately led to their devastating exile by the Assyrians. This verse, positioned within a broader narrative of divine judgment, highlights the depth of Israel's apostasy and their persistent rebellion against God.

Context

The book of 2 Kings chronicles the history of both Israel and Judah, focusing on the reigns of their kings and the prophetic ministries during their respective periods. Chapter 17 specifically recounts the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Samaria. The preceding verses (2 Kings 17:7-16) meticulously list the reasons for God's wrath: their worship of other gods, their rejection of God's statutes, and their adoption of pagan customs. Verse 17 provides a stark summary of some of the most abhorrent practices that provoked the LORD, leading to the fulfillment of judgment described later in the chapter, such as their removal from the land (see 2 Kings 17:18).

Key Themes

  • Extreme Idolatry and Apostasy: The verse vividly portrays Israel's complete abandonment of the One True God for pagan deities and practices. Their actions were not merely deviations but a wholesale rejection of the covenant relationship.
  • Child Sacrifice: The chilling phrase "caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire" refers to the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, often associated with the worship of Molech or Baal. This was one of the most detestable sins in God's sight, explicitly forbidden in the Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10).
  • Occult Practices: "Used divination and enchantments" points to their engagement in forbidden magical arts and attempts to gain knowledge or control through demonic means, rather than trusting in God's sovereignty and prophetic word.
  • Deliberate Rebellion: The powerful statement "sold themselves to do evil" signifies a willful, complete surrender to wickedness. It implies a conscious choice to dedicate their lives to opposing God's will, much like one might sell oneself into slavery (compare with Ahab's similar disposition in 1 Kings 21:20).
  • Divine Provocation and Righteous Anger: The culminating phrase "to provoke him to anger" underscores that these actions were direct affronts to God's holiness and justice. Their persistent sin exhausted God's patience and necessitated His righteous judgment (see also Psalm 78:58).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "pass through the fire" is 'abar ba'esh (ืขึธื‘ึทืจ ื‘ึผึธืึตืฉื), which in this context clearly refers to the ritualistic immolation of children as an offering to pagan gods. It signifies the ultimate act of spiritual depravity.
  • "Divination" is from the Hebrew qesem (ืงึถืกึถื), referring to various forms of fortune-telling or seeking omens.
  • "Enchantments" comes from nachash (ื ึธื—ึทืฉื), often associated with serpentine magic, omens, or sorcery, practices strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law.
  • "Sold themselves" (ื”ึดืชึฐืžึทื›ึผึฐืจื•ึผ, hitmakkeru) is a reflexive verb, emphasizing that they willingly and actively gave themselves over to evil, indicating a profound moral degradation and a deliberate choice to abandon God's ways.

Practical Application

While the specific sins of child sacrifice and ancient occult practices may seem distant, the principles behind 2 Kings 17:17 remain profoundly relevant. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for all generations:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God takes sin, especially idolatry and rebellion against His revealed will, very seriously. He is a holy God who cannot tolerate evil.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Persistent and deliberate rejection of God's commands leads to severe consequences, both individually and corporately.
  • Avoiding Syncretism: The temptation to blend biblical faith with worldly practices or spiritual alternatives (modern "divination" might include seeking guidance from sources other than God's Word or Spirit) remains a danger. Believers are called to worship God alone and to seek His wisdom exclusively.
  • The Danger of "Selling Oneself": When we continually choose selfish desires, worldly values, or sinful habits over God's will, we risk "selling ourselves" to evil, gradually hardening our hearts and provoking God's displeasure. This calls for constant repentance and a turning back to the Lord.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 21:6 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 (5 votes)

    There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

  • Deuteronomy 18:12 (5 votes)

    For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

  • 2 Kings 16:3 (5 votes)

    But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 21:20 (4 votes)

    And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found [thee]: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 23:37 (4 votes)

    That they have committed adultery, and blood [is] in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through [the fire], to devour [them].

  • Leviticus 18:21 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.