King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 13:6 Mean?

2 Kings 13:6 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and ther... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.) walked: Heb. he walked remained: Heb. stood

2 Kings 13:6 · KJV


Context

4

And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.

5

(And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime . as beforetime: Heb. as yesterday, and third day

6

Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.) walked: Heb. he walked remained: Heb. stood

7

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

8

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 13: God's patience with recurring apostasy. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 13 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Decline of Israel and Judah) reflects the historical reality of progressive political instability and external threats, particularly from Aram (Syria) and later Assyria. 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 13 regarding god's patience with recurring apostasy?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אַ֠ךְ1 of 16
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

לֹא2 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

סָ֜רוּ3 of 16

Nevertheless they departed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽחַטֹּ֧את4 of 16

not from the sins

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

בֵּית5 of 16

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יָֽרָבְעָ֛ם6 of 16

of Jeroboam

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

אֲשֶׁר7 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽחֱטִ֥י8 of 16

sin

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת9 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל10 of 16

who made Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בָּ֣הּ11 of 16
H0
הָלָ֑ךְ12 of 16

but walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְגַם֙13 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה14 of 16

the grove

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

עָֽמְדָ֖ה15 of 16

therein and there remained

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּשֹֽׁמְרֽוֹן׃16 of 16

also in Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 13:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 13:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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