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2 Kings 17:7

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¶ 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,

For so it was, that the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} had sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, which had brought them up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, from under the hand {H3027} of Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}, and had feared {H3372} other {H312} gods {H430},

This came about because the people of Isra'el had sinned against ADONAI their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, out from under the domination of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They feared other gods

All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods

And it was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against Jehovah their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 17:7

2 Kings chapter 17 provides a somber account of the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, culminating in their exile by the Assyrians. Verse 7 serves as the foundational explanation for this tragic event, detailing the core reason for God's judgment. It immediately follows the narrative of King Hoshea's reign, the last king of Israel, and sets the stage for the detailed list of Israel's transgressions that follow in subsequent verses (2 Kings 17:8-18). This period marks the end of Israel as an independent kingdom, a direct consequence of their persistent rebellion against the covenant made with the LORD.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Israel's Persistent Sin: The verse explicitly states that the "children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God." This isn't a singular act but a long pattern of disobedience that characterized the Northern Kingdom from its inception. Their sin was not merely a mistake but a fundamental rejection of their unique relationship with God.
  • God's Faithfulness and Israel's Ingratitude: The text powerfully contrasts Israel's sin with God's mighty acts of redemption. It highlights that they sinned against the very God "which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." This refers to the foundational event of the Exodus, where God demonstrated His power and love by delivering them from slavery. Their idolatry was thus an act of profound ingratitude and covenant-breaking against a God who had proven Himself faithful and mighty (see also Exodus 20:2).
  • Idolatry as the Root Sin: A primary aspect of their sin was that they "feared other gods." The Hebrew word for "feared" (yare') here implies reverence, worship, and devotion. This was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids having no other gods before Him and making idols (Exodus 20:4). The worship of pagan deities, often involving detestable practices, was a recurring problem for Israel, leading them away from the true God and His laws.
  • Divine Justice: This verse serves as the theological justification for the subsequent judgment and exile. God's actions against Israel were not arbitrary but a just response to their persistent and unrepentant rebellion against His covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "feared other gods" (וַיִּירְאוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים - vayyir'u elohim acherim) is significant. While "fear" can mean terror, in this context, it carries the nuance of reverence, worship, or serving. It signifies that Israel gave their devotion and allegiance to false deities, treating them as if they were the true God, instead of the LORD who had delivered them.

Practical Application

The message of 2 Kings 17:7 remains profoundly relevant. It reminds us:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: Sin, especially persistent rebellion against God, has serious consequences. God's patience is immense, but His justice is also certain.
  • Remembering God's Deliverance: We must never forget God's past acts of grace and deliverance in our lives. Forgetting His goodness can lead to spiritual apathy and a turning away from Him.
  • Guarding Against Modern Idolatry: While we may not bow to physical statues, modern forms of idolatry can be equally insidious. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts – whether it's money, power, possessions, relationships, or even self – can become an "other god." This verse calls us to examine our allegiances and ensure our ultimate devotion is to the LORD alone, who has redeemed us.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 23:16 (4 votes)

    When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

  • Judges 2:14 (3 votes)

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Judges 2:17 (3 votes)

    And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; [but] they did not so.

  • Nehemiah 9:26 (3 votes)

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

  • Jeremiah 10:5 (3 votes)

    They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

  • Exodus 20:2 (3 votes)

    I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

  • Psalms 106:35 (3 votes)

    But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.