2 Kings 17:24

KJV

¶ And the king of Assyria brought [men] from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed [them] in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} brought {H935} men from Babylon {H894}, and from Cuthah {H3575}, and from Ava {H5755}, and from Hamath {H2574}, and from Sepharvaim {H5617}, and placed {H3427} them in the cities {H5892} of Samaria {H8111} instead of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: and they possessed {H3423} Samaria {H8111}, and dwelt {H3427} in the cities {H5892} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king of Ashur brought people from Bavel, Kutah, 'Ava, Hamat and S'farvayim and settled them in the cities of Shomron in place of the people of Isra'el; they took possession of Shomron and lived in its cities.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.

American Standard Version

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 17:24 records a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's fall, detailing the Assyrian Empire's strategic population transfer. Following the capture of Samaria, the Assyrian king implemented a policy of resettlement, bringing diverse peoples from conquered territories—specifically Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim—and settling them in the cities of Samaria. These foreign populations replaced the exiled Israelites, effectively taking possession of the land and establishing a new demographic and cultural landscape that would profoundly shape the future identity of the Samaritans.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a lengthy and somber theological explanation for the demise of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. [2 Kings 17:7-23](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7-23 - Israel's Persistent Sin and God's Judgment") meticulously details Israel's persistent idolatry, their rejection of God's covenant, their adoption of pagan practices, and their refusal to heed the prophets. The preceding verses culminate in the Lord's righteous judgment, where He "removed them out of his sight" ([2 Kings 17:18](/2_kings/17-18 "2 Kings 17:18 - Israel Exiled for Their Sins")), leading to the Assyrian conquest and the exile of the Israelite population. Verse 24, therefore, serves as the practical, historical consequence of this divine judgment, describing the physical replacement of the exiled Israelites with foreign peoples, thus solidifying the complete disruption of Israelite national and religious life in the region.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria and Israel's Exile") occurred around 722 BCE, during the reign of the Assyrian king Sargon II, who completed the conquest of Samaria initiated by Shalmaneser V. The Assyrian Empire was renowned for its brutal but highly effective imperial strategies, one of the most significant being mass deportation and population exchange. This policy served multiple purposes: it crushed national identity and loyalty, preventing future rebellions; it integrated conquered territories into the Assyrian economic system; and it diluted native cultures and religions, making assimilation easier. The peoples mentioned—from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim—represent diverse regions within the vast Assyrian empire, demonstrating the systematic and widespread nature of this resettlement policy. Their relocation to Samaria was a deliberate act to erase the memory of Israel and establish firm Assyrian control.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several major themes. Firstly, it underscores the **consequences of disobedience** and divine judgment, as Israel's unfaithfulness directly led to their displacement and the occupation of their land by foreigners, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Foreign Invasion")). Secondly, it highlights the **Assyrian imperial strategy** as a tool in God's sovereign hand, demonstrating how even powerful empires unknowingly serve God's purposes in executing His justice. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, this resettlement laid the **foundational groundwork for the future Samaritan people**. The intermingling of these foreign settlers with the remaining Israelites, and their eventual adoption of a syncretistic form of Israelite religion, created a distinct ethno-religious group. This mixed heritage and religious practice later contributed to the deep-seated animosity and theological division between Jews and Samaritans, a tension evident throughout the New Testament, notably in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Jewish-Samaritan Animosity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Shomron'_):** This refers to both the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and, by extension, the surrounding territory. Its mention here signifies the complete conquest and subsequent re-population of the heartland of Israel, emphasizing the profound and permanent shift in its demographic and political landscape. The name itself is derived from Shemer, the original owner of the hill purchased by Omri to build the city ([1 Kings 16:24](/1_kings/16-24 "1 Kings 16:24 - Omri Founds Samaria")).
* **Placed (Hebrew, _vayyoshev'_):** This verb, meaning "to cause to dwell" or "to settle," indicates a deliberate and authoritative action by the Assyrian king. It is not a voluntary migration but a forced relocation, highlighting the absolute power and control exercised by the Assyrian Empire over conquered peoples. This word underscores the systematic nature of the Assyrian policy.
* **Possessed (Hebrew, _vayyirashu'_):** This verb means "to inherit," "to take possession of," or "to dispossess." In this context, it signifies the complete and legal acquisition of the land by the foreign settlers. It directly contrasts with Israel's previous possession of the land, which was granted by God as an inheritance. The new inhabitants now "possessed" what was once Israel's, underscoring the fulfillment of the covenant curses for disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Assyria brought [men] from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim":** This clause details the specific origins of the foreign populations. It underscores the Assyrian policy of mixing diverse conquered peoples to prevent unified resistance. Babylon, Cuthah (modern Tell Ibrahim), Ava (possibly Hit on the Euphrates), Hamath (on the Orontes in Syria), and Sepharvaim (likely Sippar in Mesopotamia) represent a wide geographical spread, emphasizing the vastness of the Assyrian Empire and the systematic nature of its resettlement program.
* **"and placed [them] in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel":** This central phrase explicitly states the purpose and consequence of the population transfer: the foreign peoples were settled in the very cities that had been inhabited by the Israelites. The phrase "instead of the children of Israel" highlights the complete displacement of the native population, signifying the end of the Northern Kingdom as a distinct political and religious entity in its homeland. It is a stark picture of divine judgment executed through human agents.
* **"and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof":** This final clause confirms the success and permanence of the Assyrian policy. The new inhabitants took full ownership and established residence in the former Israelite cities. This act of "possessing" the land, which was once God's gift to Israel, underscores the profound reversal of fortunes and the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, as their inheritance was now taken by strangers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Historical Narrative** is the overarching device, presenting a factual account of a significant historical event that serves as the culmination of God's judgment on Israel. The specific naming of the foreign cities (Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, Sepharvaim) functions as **Verisimilitude**, lending credibility and historical accuracy to the biblical record. There is also an element of **Irony** present: the land that God had given to Israel as an eternal inheritance, contingent on their obedience, is now "possessed" by pagan foreigners due to Israel's idolatry. Furthermore, this verse acts as **Foreshadowing**, laying the historical and demographic groundwork for the later emergence of the Samaritan people, whose mixed heritage and syncretistic religion would become a point of significant theological and social tension in subsequent biblical narratives, especially in the New Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His unwavering justice. While seemingly a purely historical account of Assyrian imperial policy, it is deeply theological, demonstrating that God uses nations and empires as instruments of His will, even when they are unaware of it. The displacement of Israel was not merely a geopolitical event but the direct consequence of their persistent rebellion against the Lord, their covenant God. It underscores the severity of idolatry and spiritual compromise, illustrating that God's warnings are not empty threats. The land, which was a central component of God's covenant promise to Abraham's descendants, was effectively forfeited due to their unfaithfulness, emphasizing the conditional nature of their dwelling in the land.

* [Deuteronomy 28:63-64](/deuteronomy/28-63 "Deuteronomy 28:63-64 - Warning of Scattering Among Nations")
* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Consequences of Disobedience: Scattering")
* [Jeremiah 2:7](/jeremiah/2-7 "Jeremiah 2:7 - Israel Defiled the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in 2 Kings 17:24 offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful testament to the seriousness of spiritual compromise and the dire consequences of abandoning God's commands for the allure of worldly practices or syncretistic beliefs. Just as ancient Israel faced judgment and displacement for their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness, we are called to unwavering devotion to God alone. This verse reminds us that God's justice is certain, and His warnings are to be taken with utmost seriousness, even when His judgment is executed through the actions of human empires or natural consequences. It highlights the long-term impact of spiritual choices, not only on individuals but on communities and future generations, as the events described here laid the foundation for the Samaritan identity and the subsequent tensions with the Jews. Our faithfulness, or lack thereof, has ripple effects far beyond our immediate circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Israel's exile and the subsequent repopulation of Samaria challenge my understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise my devotion to God by adopting "foreign" or worldly practices into my spiritual life?**
* **What are the long-term consequences, both personal and communal, of spiritual choices made today?**
* **How does understanding the historical context of the Samaritans from this verse deepen my appreciation for Jesus' interactions with them in the New Testament?**

### FAQ
**Who was the king of Assyria responsible for this population transfer, and why did he do it?**

Answer: While 2 Kings 17:24 simply refers to "the king of Assyria," historical and archaeological evidence, particularly Assyrian inscriptions, identifies him as Sargon II. Sargon II completed the conquest of Samaria around 722 BCE, a campaign initiated by his predecessor, Shalmaneser V. His motivation for the population transfer was a standard Assyrian imperial strategy. By forcibly relocating conquered peoples from their homelands and settling them in new territories, the Assyrians aimed to break their national identity, sever their ties to their ancestral lands and deities, and prevent future rebellions. This policy also helped to integrate diverse populations into the Assyrian economic and administrative system, ensuring greater control and stability across the vast empire. It was a brutal but effective method of maintaining dominion over conquered lands, as seen throughout the Assyrian annals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The displacement of Israel and the repopulation of Samaria in [2 Kings 17:24](/2_kings/17-24 "2 Kings 17:24 - Assyrian Repopulation of Samaria") serve as a stark testament to the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness under the Old Covenant. Yet, this painful historical event also foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the New Covenant established in Christ. The mixing of peoples in Samaria, which led to a syncretistic faith and deep animosity with the Jews, highlights humanity's inability to achieve true unity and pure worship apart from God's intervention. In contrast, Jesus Christ breaks down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Barriers")) between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Himself. He offers a new "possession"—not a physical land, but spiritual inheritance and citizenship in His eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The Samaritan woman at the well ([John 4:1-42](/john/4-1 "John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")) exemplifies this fulfillment, as Jesus, the true King, reclaims those who were once considered outsiders and brings them into the true worship of God in spirit and truth, transcending the historical and ethnic divisions forged in events like the one described in 2 Kings 17. Through Christ, a new spiritual "Samaria" is formed, comprised of all who believe, regardless of their earthly origin, possessing a true and pure relationship with God.

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

2 Kings 18:34

Where [are] the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?

2 Kings 17:30

And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,

2 Kings 17:31

And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

2 Kings 19:13

Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?

1 Kings 8:65

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, [even] fourteen days.

Isaiah 37:13

Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

Isaiah 36:19

Where [are] the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?