BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Kings› Chapter 17› Verse 33

2 Kings 17:33

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 17:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
2 Kings 17:33 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
31and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
32So they feared Jehovah, and made unto them from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
33They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
34Unto 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;
35with whom Jehovah had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
36but Jehovah, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, him shall ye fear, and unto him shall ye bow yourselves, and to him shall ye sacrifice:
← 2 Kings 17:322 Kings 17:34 →
← Full Chapter 17 2 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, etc.] Worshipped both: after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence; the Israelites, whom they had carried captive from Samaria; they worshipped the Lord in their idols, as they did, who pretended to worship God in the calves; so they worshipped the supreme God in and by their idols, and made use of them as mediators with him.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Understand the passage thus: “They (the colonists) served their own gods after the manner of the nations from which they (the government) removed them,” i. e., after the manner of their own countrymen at home. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They feared - They worshipped God externally in that way which the Israelites used. But every nation made gods of their own besides. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 17:34”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They feared: Kg2 17:41; Kg1 18:21; Hos 10:2; Zep 1:5; Mat 6:24; Luk 16:13 whom they carried: etc. or, who carried them away from thence, The new inhabitants of the land imitated the idolatrous Israelites, by associating their idols with Jehovah, as the objects of worship. The remainder, however, of the verses seem to relate to the Israelites after they were carried captive. They still persevered in idolatry and disobedience; and not being purified, were left to be consumed in the furnace. It is said that the Israelites "did not fear the Lord," yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said "to have feared the Lord." The Israelites did not so much as fear the wrath of Almighty God;…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification