King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 17:24 Mean?

2 Kings 17:24 in the King James Version says “And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, a... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

2 Kings 17:24 · KJV


Context

22

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;

23

Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.

24

And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

25

And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

26

Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 17: Covenant judgment and exile. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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 · 19 words
וַיָּבֵ֣א1 of 19

brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֶֽלֶךְ2 of 19

And the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֡וּר3 of 19

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

מִבָּבֶ֡ל4 of 19

men from Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּ֠מִכּוּתָה5 of 19

and from Cuthah

H3575

cuth or cuthah, a province of assyria

וּמֵֽעַוָּ֤א6 of 19

and from Ava

H5755

ivvah or avva, a region of assyria

וּמֵֽחֲמָת֙7 of 19

and from Hamath

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

וּסְפַרְוַ֔יִם8 of 19

and from Sepharvaim

H5617

sepharvites

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ9 of 19

and dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּעָרֶֽיהָ׃10 of 19

in the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן11 of 19

Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

תַּ֖חַת12 of 19
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

בְּנֵ֣י13 of 19

instead of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 19

of Israel

H3478

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

וַיִּֽרְשׁוּ֙15 of 19

and they possessed

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת16 of 19
H853

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

שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן17 of 19

Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ18 of 19

and dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּעָרֶֽיהָ׃19 of 19

in the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)


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 17:24 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 17:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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