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2 Kings 17:14

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 17:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their neck, like to the neck of their fathers, who believed not in Jehovah their God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their neck, like to the neck of their fathers, who believed not in Jehovah their God.
2 Kings 17:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom Jehovah carried away before them; and they wrought wicked things to provoke Jehovah to anger;
12and they served idols, whereof Jehovah had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
13Yet Jehovah testified unto Israel, and unto Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
14Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their neck, like to the neck of their fathers, who believed not in Jehovah their God.
15And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified unto them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and [went] after the nations that were round about them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them that they should not do like them.
16And they forsook all the commandments of Jehovah their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
17And 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.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Notwithstanding, they would not hear, etc.] Their instructions, advice, and admonitions, and obey them: but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God: as Terah and Nahor, who were idolaters; or rather, their fathers in the wilderness, that made and served the calf, and those that rebelled against Moses and Aaron; it is a metaphor taken from oxen, that will not submit their necks to the yoke, but draw back from it, or cast it off, (see <440751>Acts 7:51).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To “harden” or “stiffen the neck” is a common Hebrew expression significative of unbending obstinacy and determined self-will. See the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hardened, &c. - Refused to submit their neck to the yoke of God's precepts. A metaphor from stubborn oxen, that will not bow to the yoke. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 17:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:14-15 Like their ancestors (Deut 10:16; 1 Sam 12:6-9; Ps 106:28), the Israelites persisted in their infidelity to the Lord (Isa 65:6-7; Amos 2:4; see Acts 7:51-53).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“but hardened: Deu 31:27; Ch2 36:13; Pro 29:1; Isa 48:4; Jer 7:26; Rom 2:4, Rom 2:5; Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8 did not believe: Deu 1:32; Psa 78:22, Psa 78:32, Psa 106:24; Heb 3:12 4 Kings (2 Kings) 17:15”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification