2 Kings 17:34

KJV

Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

KJV (with Strong's)

Unto this day {H3117} they do {H6213} after the former {H7223} manners {H4941}: they fear {H3373} not the LORD {H3068}, neither do {H6213} they after their statutes {H2708}, or after their ordinances {H4941}, or after the law {H8451} and commandment {H4687} which the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} the children {H1121} of Jacob {H3290}, whom he named {H7760}{H8034} Israel {H3478};

Complete Jewish Bible

To this day they continue to follow their former [pagan] customs. They do not fear ADONAI. They do not follow the regulations, rulings, Torah or mitzvah which ADONAI ordered the descendants of Ya'akov, to whom he gave the name Isra'el,

Berean Standard Bible

To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel.

American Standard Version

Unto this day they do after the former manner: they fear not Jehovah, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law or after the commandment which Jehovah commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 17:34 provides a stark and enduring assessment of the spiritual condition of the foreign peoples resettled in Samaria by the Assyrians, alongside any remaining Israelites, following the Northern Kingdom's exile. It highlights their persistent failure to genuinely revere the LORD and adhere to His divine commands, instead continuing their inherited syncretistic religious practices. This verse serves as a poignant indictment of their superficial faith and underscores the enduring consequences of spiritual compromise, contrasting their disobedience with the covenantal expectations placed upon the descendants of Jacob, whom God named Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy theological explanation in [2 Kings 17](/2-kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel") for the catastrophic fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to Assyria in 722 BC. Following the deportation of the Israelites (cf. [2 Kings 17:6](/2-kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Israel's Exile")), the Assyrian king resettled the land with various foreign peoples (cf. [2 Kings 17:24](/2-kings/17-24 "2 Kings 17:24 - Resettlement of Samaria")). These new inhabitants initially faced divine judgment (lions sent by the LORD, cf. [2 Kings 17:25](/2-kings/17-25 "2 Kings 17:25 - Lions Sent by the LORD")) because they did not "know the manner of the God of the land." In response, an exiled Israelite priest was sent back to teach them. However, this instruction led not to exclusive monotheistic worship, but to a syncretistic blend where they feared the LORD alongside their own ancestral gods (cf. [2 Kings 17:33](/2-kings/17-33 "2 Kings 17:33 - Syncretism in Samaria")). Verse 34 functions as a summary statement, emphasizing that this spiritual compromise and failure to truly obey God's commands persisted "unto this day," meaning up to the time the historical account was written, serving as a lasting theological commentary on their spiritual state.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Assyrian Empire's policy of population transfer, designed to break nationalistic resistance and integrate conquered territories. After conquering Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, the Assyrians deported large segments of the Israelite population and imported peoples from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim. These foreign peoples brought their own deities and religious practices. The problem arose when they attempted to integrate the worship of the LORD, whom they recognized as the "god of the land," into their existing polytheistic frameworks. This was a direct violation of the Mosaic covenant, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh (cf. [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")). The resulting religious blend, often referred to as Samaritan syncretism, continued for centuries, shaping the religious landscape of the region and leading to ongoing tensions with the returning exiles of Judah.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [2 Kings 17](/2-kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel") and specifically in verse 34 is the **consequences of covenant disobedience and spiritual syncretism**. The fall of Israel is explicitly attributed to their idolatry and failure to keep God's commands (cf. [2 Kings 17:7-18](/2-kings/17-7-18 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Israel's Sin and Punishment")). The new inhabitants of Samaria perpetuate this pattern, demonstrating a profound **lack of true reverence or "fear of the LORD,"** which is understood not as terror, but as a deep, obedient awe that leads to exclusive devotion and adherence to God's revealed will. Their failure to follow God's "statutes, ordinances, law, and commandment" underscores the theme of **divine law and human accountability**. The verse also subtly touches on the theme of **God's sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants**, as even foreign peoples are expected to acknowledge and properly worship the God who governs the territory. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale against superficial faith and the blending of divine truth with human traditions or other religious practices.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ_):** The phrase "they fear not the LORD" uses the Hebrew verb יָרֵא (_yârêʼ_, H3373), which signifies "fearing; morally, reverent; afraid, fear (-ful)." In a theological context, especially concerning God, _yârêʼ_ encompasses a profound reverence, awe, and respect that naturally leads to obedience and submission. It implies recognizing God's absolute sovereignty, holiness, and power, and responding with devotion and adherence to His commands. The absence of this "fear" in 2 Kings 17:34 indicates a fundamental spiritual deficiency, a lack of genuine, exclusive devotion to Yahweh (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), and thus explains their continued disobedience and syncretistic practices. It's not that they had no god, but that they did not have the *right* kind of relationship with the *one true God*.
* **Statutes/Ordinances/Law/Commandment (Hebrew, _chuqqâh/mishpâṭ/tôwrâh/mitsvâh_):** These four terms are used collectively to refer to the comprehensive body of Mosaic Law given to Israel, highlighting the totality of their disobedience.
* **Statutes (חֻקָּה, _chuqqâh_ H2708):** Refers to "an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)," often pertaining to prescribed rules or decrees, ceremonial or cultic.
* **Ordinances (מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpâṭ_ H4941):** Refers to "a verdict... a sentence or formal decree... justice... right or privilege," often pertaining to judgments or legal decisions, civil and ethical matters.
* **Law (תּוֹרָה, _tôwrâh_ H8451):** The most general term, encompassing "a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch," signifying instruction, teaching, and the entire body of divine revelation.
* **Commandment (מִצְוָה, _mitsvâh_ H4687):** Refers to "a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)," signifying specific commands or precepts.
The enumeration of these terms emphasizes that the foreign peoples, unlike the children of Jacob (Yaʻăqôb, H3290), failed to obey *any* aspect of God's comprehensive covenantal demands, highlighting the depth of their spiritual alienation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Unto this day they do after the former manners:"** This clause establishes the enduring nature of the problem. "Unto this day" (yôwm, H3117) indicates that the syncretistic practices described were not a temporary phase but continued up to the time of the writing of the book of Kings. "Former manners" (riʼshôwn, H7223; mishpâṭ, H4941) refers to the mixed worship practices described in the preceding verses, where they feared the LORD but also served their own gods. This highlights a persistent pattern of spiritual compromise, indicating their continued practice of what they had been doing previously.
* **"they fear not the LORD,"** This is the core spiritual indictment. As discussed in Key Word Analysis, "fear" here means reverential awe and obedient submission. The negation indicates a profound lack of genuine, exclusive devotion to Yahweh, despite their superficial acknowledgment of Him as "the god of the land." Their actions demonstrate that their "fear" was not the covenantal fear that leads to wholehearted obedience.
* **"neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment"** This enumerates the specific ways in which their lack of true fear manifested: a comprehensive failure to obey God's revealed will. They did not adhere to the detailed instructions, judgments, general teachings, or specific precepts that constituted the Mosaic Law. This demonstrates a complete disregard for the covenantal framework that defined Israel's relationship with God.
* **"which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;"** This final clause emphasizes the divine origin and specific recipients of these commands. The Law was not a human invention but a direct command from Yahweh (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), given to His chosen people, the descendants of Jacob (Yaʻăqôb, H3290), who was divinely renamed Israel (Yisrâʼêl, H3478). This highlights the contrast between the covenant people, who were given the Law, and these foreign inhabitants who, despite living in the land of Israel, failed to embrace the Law and the God who gave it, thereby failing to become true spiritual heirs of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Repetition** and **Enumeration** are evident in the listing of "statutes, ordinances, law and commandment," which serves to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the divine law that was disregarded. This cumulative phrasing underscores the totality of the peoples' disobedience, indicating that no aspect of God's revealed will was truly observed. Furthermore, the phrase "Unto this day" functions as a **Historical Marker**, grounding the narrative in the author's present and highlighting the enduring legacy of the syncretistic practices. This device transforms the historical account into a timeless theological warning. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** drawn between the divine commands given to the "children of Jacob, whom he named Israel," and the current "former manners" of the foreign inhabitants. This contrast accentuates the profound spiritual chasm between covenant fidelity and syncretistic compromise, serving as a powerful indictment of their false worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 2 Kings 17:34 are profound, extending beyond the immediate historical context to universal principles of divine-human relationship. The verse underscores God's demand for exclusive worship and wholehearted obedience, rejecting any form of syncretism or partial commitment. The lack of "fear of the LORD" is presented as the root cause of their disobedience, revealing that true reverence for God is foundational to all genuine spiritual life and adherence to His will. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that outward religious observance without inward transformation and exclusive devotion is meaningless to God. It highlights the enduring tension between God's holy standards and humanity's propensity for spiritual compromise, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Joshua 24:14](/joshua/24-14 "Joshua 24:14 - Choose Whom You Will Serve")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 17:34 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging believers to assess the depth and exclusivity of their own devotion to God. In a world saturated with competing loyalties and diverse ideologies, the temptation to blend Christian faith with secular values, cultural norms, or personal preferences remains potent. This verse calls us to a radical commitment, reminding us that true "fear of the LORD" is not about being afraid of God, but about holding Him in such reverential awe that it compels us to obey His "statutes, ordinances, law, and commandment" above all else. It warns against a superficial faith that merely adds God to a pantheon of other priorities, rather than enthroning Him as the sole sovereign of our lives. Our obedience is the tangible evidence of our genuine reverence and exclusive devotion, a commitment that must permeate every aspect of our existence, from our private thoughts to our public actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing a form of "syncretism," blending my faith with worldly values or priorities?**
* **What does "fearing the LORD" truly mean for me in my daily walk, and how does this fear manifest in my obedience?**
* **How diligently do I seek to understand and live by God's "statutes, ordinances, law, and commandment" today?**
* **Am I giving God exclusive devotion, or is He merely one among many "gods" in my life?**

### FAQ

**What does "unto this day" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "unto this day" (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _‘ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common historical marker in biblical narratives. In [2 Kings 17:34](/2-kings/17-34 "2 Kings 17:34 - Persistent Syncretism"), it signifies that the syncretistic religious practices and the lack of true fear of the LORD described in the preceding verses were not a temporary phenomenon but continued to persist up to the time the book of Kings was being composed or edited. It emphasizes the enduring nature of the spiritual compromise and serves as a lasting theological indictment against the inhabitants of Samaria, highlighting the long-term consequences of their failure to genuinely worship Yahweh alone.

**Why is "they fear not the LORD" such a critical indictment?**

Answer: The phrase "they fear not the LORD" (לֹא יָרְאוּ אֶת־יְהוָה, _lo’ yare’u ’et-YHWH_) is a critical indictment because, in biblical theology, the "fear of the LORD" is synonymous with genuine reverence, obedient submission, and exclusive devotion to God. It is not merely terror, but a profound awe that leads to acknowledging God's sovereignty and adhering to His commands. As [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom") states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Therefore, the absence of this fear indicates a fundamental spiritual deficiency, a lack of true relationship with God, and explains their continued disobedience to His "statutes, ordinances, law and commandment." It means they did not truly honor Him as the one true God, despite their outward acknowledgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 17:34 describes the failure of the foreign inhabitants of Samaria to genuinely fear and obey the LORD, it powerfully sets the stage for the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Where these peoples failed to give God exclusive devotion and adhere to His commands, Jesus perfectly embodied the "fear of the LORD" in His earthly life. He lived a life of absolute obedience and reverence to the Father (cf. [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")), fulfilling every "statute, ordinance, law, and commandment" (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The syncretism of Samaria, where people mixed their own gods with the worship of Yahweh, is overcome in Christ, who declares that true worship is "in spirit and truth" (cf. [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")), demanding exclusive devotion to the one true God through Him. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the means for humanity, both Jew and Gentile, to enter into a new covenant relationship where God's law is no longer merely external commands but is written on the heart by the Holy Spirit (cf. [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promised") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "The New Covenant")). Thus, the failure highlighted in 2 Kings 17:34 points to the profound need for a Savior who would not only perfectly obey God but also enable His people to genuinely fear, love, and obey Him from the heart.

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

Genesis 35:10

And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

Genesis 32:28

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

2 Kings 17:27

Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.

2 Kings 17:28

Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

2 Kings 17:25

And [so] it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, [that] they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew [some] of them.

Isaiah 48:1

¶ Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness.

1 Kings 18:31

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: