2 Kings 17:15
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּמְאֲס֣וּ
And they rejected
H3988
וַיִּמְאֲס֣וּ
And they rejected
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
1 of 29
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֻקָּ֗יו
his statutes
H2706
חֻקָּ֗יו
his statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
3 of 29
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִיתוֹ֙
and his covenant
H1285
בְּרִיתוֹ֙
and his covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
5 of 29
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּרַ֣ת
that he made
H3772
כָּרַ֣ת
that he made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
7 of 29
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲבוֹתָ֔ם
with their fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתָ֔ם
with their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
9 of 29
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֵעִ֖יד
which he testified
H5749
הֵעִ֖יד
which he testified
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
13 of 29
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
H1980
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 29
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֤י
and went after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֤י
and went after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַהֶ֙בֶל֙
vanity
H1892
הַהֶ֙בֶל֙
vanity
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
17 of 29
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ
and became vain
H1891
וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ
and became vain
Strong's:
H1891
Word #:
18 of 29
to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֤י
and went after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֤י
and went after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
19 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַגּוֹיִם֙
the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙
the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
20 of 29
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
סְבִֽיבֹתָ֔ם
that were round about
H5439
סְבִֽיבֹתָ֔ם
that were round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
22 of 29
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
them concerning whom the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
them concerning whom the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֹתָ֔ם
H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:21They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.Jeremiah 2:5Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?Jeremiah 8:9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?1 Kings 16:13For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.Psalms 115:8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.Jeremiah 44:4Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.Jeremiah 44:23Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.Jeremiah 10:8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.Jeremiah 10:15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.Jeremiah 31:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 17 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Fall of the Northern Kingdom) reflects the historical reality of the fulfillment of prophetic warnings as the northern kingdom fell to Assyria due to persistent covenant unfaithfulness. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 17 regarding covenant judgment and exile?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 17: Covenant judgment and exile. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.