King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 17:6 Mean?

2 Kings 17:6 in the King James Version says “In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in H... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Kings 17:6 · KJV


Context

4

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison . present: or, tribute

5

Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.

6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

7

For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,

8

And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

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.

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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 · 20 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת1 of 20

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַתְּשִׁיעִ֜ית2 of 20

In the ninth

H8671

ninth

לְהוֹשֵׁ֗עַ3 of 20

of Hoshea

H1954

hoshea, the name of five israelites

לָכַ֤ד4 of 20

took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

מֶֽלֶךְ5 of 20

the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֑וּרָה6 of 20

into 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

אֶת7 of 20
H853

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

שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן8 of 20

Samaria

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וַיֶּ֥גֶל9 of 20

and carried

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֶת10 of 20
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל11 of 20

Israel

H3478

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

אַשּׁ֑וּרָה12 of 20

into 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

וַיֹּ֨שֶׁב13 of 20

and placed

H3427

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

אֹתָ֜ם14 of 20
H853

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

בַּחְלַ֧ח15 of 20

them in Halah

H2477

chalach, a region of assyria

וּבְחָב֛וֹר16 of 20

and in Habor

H2249

chabor, a river of assyria

נְהַ֥ר17 of 20

by the river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

גּוֹזָ֖ן18 of 20

of Gozan

H1470

gozan, a province of assyria

וְעָרֵ֥י19 of 20

and 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)

מָדָֽי׃20 of 20

of the Medes

H4074

madai, a country of central asia


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 17:6 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 17:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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