2 kings 17:14 - Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God.
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What does "2 kings 17:14" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 17:14, is a scathing indictment of the Israelites and their refusal to heed warnings from prophets and learn from the mistakes of their ancestors. Let's break it down:
"Notwithstanding, they would not listen...": This highlights the Israelites' stubborn refusal to pay attention to the repeated warnings and pleas from God through his prophets. Despite being told about the consequences of their actions, they persisted in their disobedience.
"...but hardened their neck...": This is a vivid metaphor. "Hardening the neck" is an idiom that means to be obstinate, stubborn, and unwilling to submit to authority. Imagine a bull resisting being led by refusing to bend its neck. It's a picture of defiance.
"...like the neck of their fathers...": This emphasizes the cyclical nature of their disobedience. It suggests that the current generation was repeating the same errors and sins of their ancestors. They hadn't learned from history and were continuing the pattern of rebellion.
"...who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God.": This is the core issue. Their disobedience stemmed from a lack of true faith in Yahweh. While they may have paid lip service to him, their actions demonstrated a lack of trust and reverence. This ultimately led to idolatry and the adoption of foreign religious practices.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Israelites were willfully disobedient and refused to listen to God's warnings. This was because they were as stubborn and rebellious as their ancestors, who lacked true faith in Yahweh. It emphasizes the continuity of disobedience across generations and the deep-seated lack of faith at the root of their actions. This disobedience is a major reason for the downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that is being described in 2 Kings 17.
2 kings 17:14 - Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God.
What does "2 kings 17:14" mean?
This verse, 2 Kings 17:14, is a scathing indictment of the Israelites and their refusal to heed warnings from prophets and learn from the mistakes of their ancestors. Let's break it down:
"Notwithstanding, they would not listen...": This highlights the Israelites' stubborn refusal to pay attention to the repeated warnings and pleas from God through his prophets. Despite being told about the consequences of their actions, they persisted in their disobedience.
"...but hardened their neck...": This is a vivid metaphor. "Hardening the neck" is an idiom that means to be obstinate, stubborn, and unwilling to submit to authority. Imagine a bull resisting being led by refusing to bend its neck. It's a picture of defiance.
"...like the neck of their fathers...": This emphasizes the cyclical nature of their disobedience. It suggests that the current generation was repeating the same errors and sins of their ancestors. They hadn't learned from history and were continuing the pattern of rebellion.
"...who didn’t believe in Yahweh their God.": This is the core issue. Their disobedience stemmed from a lack of true faith in Yahweh. While they may have paid lip service to him, their actions demonstrated a lack of trust and reverence. This ultimately led to idolatry and the adoption of foreign religious practices.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Israelites were willfully disobedient and refused to listen to God's warnings. This was because they were as stubborn and rebellious as their ancestors, who lacked true faith in Yahweh. It emphasizes the continuity of disobedience across generations and the deep-seated lack of faith at the root of their actions. This disobedience is a major reason for the downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that is being described in 2 Kings 17.