2 Kings 17:41

KJV

So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

So these nations {H1471} feared {H3373} the LORD {H3068}, and served {H5647} their graven images {H6456}, both their children {H1121}, and their children's {H1121} children {H1121}: as did {H6213} their fathers {H1}, so do {H6213} they unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So these nations mixed fearing ADONAI with serving their carved idols; likewise their children; and to this day, their descendants do the same as their ancestors did.

Berean Standard Bible

So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

American Standard Version

So these nations feared Jehovah, and served their graven images; their children likewise, and their children’s children, as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 17:41 vividly encapsulates the spiritual compromise of the foreign nations resettled in Samaria by the Assyrians. While acknowledging the God of Israel out of a pragmatic, superstitious fear, these peoples simultaneously clung to and actively served their traditional pagan idols. This deeply entrenched syncretistic worship was not merely a temporary phenomenon but became a generational legacy, passed down through "children's children" and persisting "unto this day" of the book's writing, illustrating a fundamental failure to render exclusive devotion to the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding summary of a significant section within [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel and Samaritan Origins"). The chapter opens with the tragic account of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's fall due to its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, culminating in their exile by the Assyrians (cf. [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Israel's Exile")). Following the depopulation of Israel, the Assyrian king resettled the land of Samaria with various foreign peoples from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim. These new inhabitants initially faced a plague of lions, which they attributed to their ignorance of "the manner of the God of the land" (cf. [2 Kings 17:25](/2_kings/17-25 "2 Kings 17:25 - The Lions and the God of the Land")). Consequently, an exiled Israelite priest was sent back to teach them about the LORD. Verse 41 provides the narrator's definitive judgment on the outcome of this instruction: a superficial acknowledgment of Yahweh combined with an enduring commitment to their ancestral pagan deities, establishing the foundation for the later Samaritan religious identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel and Samaritan Origins") reflect the Assyrian imperial policy of population transfer, a common strategy to suppress rebellion and integrate conquered territories by disrupting local identities and loyalties. The foreign peoples brought their diverse polytheistic religious practices and pantheons with them. Their initial "fear of the LORD" was not born of genuine covenantal relationship or theological conviction, but rather a pragmatic response to a perceived territorial deity whose wrath (manifested as lions) needed to be appeased. This was a common ancient Near Eastern belief: that each land had its own god. The resulting religious blend, where Yahweh was added to their existing pantheon rather than exclusively worshipped, created a distinct syncretistic culture in Samaria, which would later evolve into the Samaritan community known in the New Testament.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme highlighted in [2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans") is **syncretism and hybrid worship**. These nations "feared the LORD" (acknowledging Him, likely out of superstition or self-preservation) but simultaneously "served their graven images," demonstrating a blending of religious beliefs that was anathema to the exclusive worship demanded by the God of Israel (cf. [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). This illustrates the theme of **partial obedience vs. true devotion**, where a conditional or compartmentalized acknowledgment of God, mixed with idolatry, is deemed unacceptable. The text underscores that their "fear" was not reverence leading to exclusive worship but more akin to appeasement. Furthermore, the phrase "both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day" powerfully emphasizes the **generational persistence of sin and spiritual heritage**. It highlights how deeply ingrained and enduring this hybrid religion became, illustrating the long-term impact of spiritual choices and the profound challenge of breaking from established, yet flawed, traditions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feared (Hebrew, _yare'_):** This verb can denote both a reverential awe and a terror-induced dread. In this context, given their continued idolatry, it carries the latter connotation. Their "fear" was not a genuine, covenantal reverence leading to exclusive worship and obedience, but rather a pragmatic, superstitious attempt to appease a powerful deity they perceived as responsible for the lions (cf. [2 Kings 17:25](/2_kings/17-25 "2 Kings 17:25 - The Lions and the God of the Land")), without abandoning their other gods. It was a superficial rather than transformative spiritual encounter.
* **Served (Hebrew, _'avad_):** This word implies active, dedicated worship, service, and even servitude. The contrast between "feared the LORD" and "served their graven images" is crucial. While they acknowledged the LORD, their active, devoted worship (their "service") was directed towards their idols. This highlights their divided allegiance and the true object of their devotion.
* **Graven images (Hebrew, _peselim_):** This term refers to idols, typically carved or cast images that represented their pagan deities. These were the tangible objects of their polytheistic worship, underscoring the concrete nature of their idolatry and their commitment to a pantheon of gods rather than the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So these nations feared the LORD":** This clause indicates an acknowledgment of Yahweh by the foreign settlers. However, this "fear" was not the exclusive, covenantal reverence demanded by God, but a pragmatic response to a perceived territorial deity, likely prompted by the plague of lions and the instruction from the Israelite priest. It suggests a superficial, appeasing recognition rather than true devotion.
* **"and served their graven images":** This crucial conjunction ("and") reveals the syncretistic nature of their worship. Despite their acknowledgment of the LORD, their primary allegiance and active, devoted worship remained with their traditional pagan deities, represented by their physical idols. This demonstrates a divided heart and a failure to render exclusive worship to God.
* **"both their children, and their children's children":** This phrase emphasizes the deep entrenchment and generational continuity of this syncretistic practice. It highlights how the mixed worship was not a temporary phase but became a foundational aspect of their cultural and religious identity, passed down through successive generations.
* **"as did their fathers, so do they unto this day":** This concluding statement by the narrator underscores the enduring legacy of this spiritual compromise. It indicates that the syncretistic practices established by the original settlers persisted for a significant period, even up to the time the book of Kings was written. It serves as a powerful commentary on the persistence of flawed traditions and the difficulty of breaking free from established patterns of worship.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans") employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Irony** is evident in the contrast between "feared the LORD" and "served their graven images"; their "fear" of Yahweh was not strong enough to lead them to abandon their idols, highlighting the superficiality of their acknowledgment. The use of **repetition and emphasis** in the phrase "both their children, and their children's children" combined with "as did their fathers, so do they unto this day" powerfully underscores the generational persistence and deep-rooted nature of their syncretism, making it clear that this was not a fleeting phenomenon but a lasting spiritual condition. The verse also utilizes **contrast** to highlight the divided allegiance of these nations, setting their pragmatic "fear" of the LORD against their active "service" of idols. Finally, the verse functions as a concise **narrative summary** and a concluding judgment, providing the author's theological assessment of the spiritual state of the new inhabitants of Samaria, effectively setting the stage for later interactions with the Samaritans in biblical history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans") serves as a timeless warning against spiritual syncretism, a recurring theological problem throughout the Old Testament. God's covenant with Israel, epitomized by the First Commandment, unequivocally demands exclusive worship and devotion. The practice of these foreign nations—acknowledging Yahweh while simultaneously serving other gods—is a direct affront to God's holy character and His demand for singular allegiance. This mixed worship, though perhaps pragmatic in their eyes, was fundamentally an act of unfaithfulness, demonstrating a divided heart that could not truly serve the one true God. The persistence of this syncretism through generations highlights the deep-seated human tendency to compromise divine truth with worldly comforts or traditional practices, a tendency that God consistently condemns. This historical account foreshadows the later tensions between Jews and Samaritans in the New Testament, rooted in this very mixed religious heritage.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")
* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans") offers a profound and sobering lesson for believers today: the danger of spiritual compromise and the necessity of wholehearted devotion to God. In an increasingly pluralistic world, it is easy for elements of Christian faith to be subtly blended with cultural trends, personal comfort zones, or worldly values that contradict biblical truth. We might acknowledge God's existence or even fear His judgment, yet simultaneously serve "graven images" in the form of materialism, ambition, social acceptance, self-reliance, or even personal desires that usurp God's rightful place as supreme. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and lives, asking if our devotion is truly exclusive, or if we are attempting to compartmentalize our faith, serving God in some areas while allowing other "masters" to dictate our choices in others. True worship demands an undivided heart, a complete surrender that rejects any form of spiritual syncretism. Furthermore, the generational impact highlighted in the verse reminds us that our spiritual choices today—whether of pure devotion or compromise—have profound implications for those who come after us, shaping the spiritual heritage we pass on to our children and grandchildren.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing a form of spiritual syncretism, attempting to serve both God and worldly values or personal idols?**
* **What does "wholehearted devotion" to the LORD truly look like in my daily life, and where do I fall short in offering Him exclusive worship?**
* **How does my spiritual walk today, whether in purity or compromise, impact the faith and spiritual heritage of future generations in my family or community?**

### FAQ
**What is "syncretism" in a biblical context?**

Answer: In a biblical context, syncretism refers to the blending of different religious beliefs, practices, or deities. It is the attempt to worship Yahweh, the one true God, alongside other gods or to incorporate pagan rituals and beliefs into true worship. The Bible strictly forbids this, as God demands exclusive devotion and condemns all forms of idolatry, whether overt or subtle. [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment") is a foundational command against syncretism.

**How did the "fear of the LORD" in this verse differ from true biblical fear of God?**

Answer: In [2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans"), the "fear of the LORD" exhibited by these nations was a pragmatic, superstitious fear, a response to perceived divine power (e.g., the lions mentioned in [2 Kings 17:25](/2_kings/17-25 "2 Kings 17:25 - The Lions and the God of the Land")) aimed at appeasement. It was not strong enough to lead them to abandon their traditional idols. True biblical fear of God, by contrast, is a reverential awe and respect that leads to obedience, worship, and a covenant relationship, characterized by exclusive devotion and love for God (cf. [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema") and [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom")).

**What became of these people mentioned in 2 Kings 17:41?**

Answer: The descendants of these foreign settlers, who intermarried with the remaining Israelites in the land, became known as the Samaritans. Their mixed religious and ethnic heritage, characterized by this syncretistic worship, led to significant tension and animosity with the Jews. This historical background is crucial for understanding the interactions between Jews and Samaritans in the New Testament, such as Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The syncretism displayed in [2 Kings 17:41](/2_kings/17-41 "2 Kings 17:41 - Syncretism of the Samaritans") vividly illustrates humanity's persistent fallen tendency to compartmentalize worship or to create gods in its own image. This divided allegiance, where the LORD is acknowledged but not exclusively served, stands in stark contrast to the singular devotion demanded by God and perfectly embodied by Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared that [no one can serve two masters](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters"), unequivocally calling for a wholehearted, undivided allegiance to God alone. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Law's demand for exclusive worship, being the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice cleanses us from all unrighteousness, enabling us to offer pure, uncompromised worship. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to break free from all forms of idolatry—whether overt paganism or subtle modern idols like materialism, self-worship, or ambition—and to worship God [in spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God is Spirit"). Christ's work on the cross and His ongoing intercession make it possible for us to present our bodies as a [living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice"), fulfilling the very devotion that the Samaritans of old failed to render.

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

Zephaniah 1:5

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship [and] that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

1 Kings 18:21

¶ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

2 Kings 17:32

So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.

2 Kings 17:33

They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.

Joshua 24:14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Joshua 24:20

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.