King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 17:34 Mean?

2 Kings 17:34 in the King James Version says “Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after t... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

2 Kings 17:34 · KJV


Context

32

So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.

33

They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. whom: or, who carried them away from thence

34

Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

35

With whom the LORD 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:

36

But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

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.

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 · 27 words
עַ֣ד1 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֤וֹם2 of 27

Unto this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּה֙3 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֵ֣ם4 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

עֹשִׂ֗ים5 of 27

neither do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וּכְמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם6 of 27

manners

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֑ים7 of 27

after the former

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֵינָ֤ם8 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יְרֵאִים֙9 of 27
H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת10 of 27
H853

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

יְהוָה֙11 of 27

not the LORD

H3068

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

וְאֵינָ֣ם12 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עֹשִׂ֗ים13 of 27

neither do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כְּחֻקֹּתָם֙14 of 27

they after their statutes

H2708

a statute

וּכְמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם15 of 27

manners

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וְכַתּוֹרָ֣ה16 of 27

or after the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְכַמִּצְוָ֗ה17 of 27

and commandment

H4687

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 27
H834

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

צִוָּ֤ה19 of 27

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָה֙20 of 27

not the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת21 of 27
H853

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

בְּנֵ֣י22 of 27

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

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב23 of 27

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֲשֶׁר24 of 27
H834

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

שָׂ֥ם25 of 27

whom he named

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁמ֖וֹ26 of 27
H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃27 of 27

Israel

H3478

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


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 17:34 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 17:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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