King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 17:13 Mean?

2 Kings 17:13 in the King James Version says “Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye fro... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, 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. by: Heb. by the hand of

2 Kings 17:13 · KJV


Context

11

And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:

12

For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.

13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, 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. by: Heb. by the hand of

14

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, 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.

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. 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 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 17 regarding covenant judgment and exile?
  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 · 28 words
וַיָּ֣עַד1 of 28

testified

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

יְהוָ֡ה2 of 28

Yet the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל3 of 28

against Israel

H3478

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

וּבִֽיהוּדָ֡ה4 of 28

and against Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בְּיַ֖ד5 of 28

by

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כָּל6 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃7 of 28

all the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

כָל8 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֹזֶ֜ה9 of 28

and by all the seers

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

לֵאמֹ֗ר10 of 28

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֻׁ֝֩בוּ11 of 28

Turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֤ם12 of 28

ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָֽרָעִים֙13 of 28

ye from your evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְשִׁמְרוּ֙14 of 28

and keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִצְוֹתַ֣י15 of 28

my commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

חֻקּוֹתַ֔י16 of 28

and my statutes

H2708

a statute

כְּכָ֨ל17 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַתּוֹרָ֔ה18 of 28

according to all the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 28
H834

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

צִוִּ֖יתִי20 of 28

which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת21 of 28
H853

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

אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם22 of 28

your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙23 of 28
H834

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

שָׁלַ֣חְתִּי24 of 28

and which I sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם25 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּיַ֖ד26 of 28

by

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲבָדַ֥י27 of 28

my servants

H5650

a servant

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃28 of 28

all the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man


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 17:13 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 17:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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