2 kings 17:36 - but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to him, and you shall sacrifice to him.
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What does "2 kings 17:36" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 17:36 is part of a larger passage explaining why the Israelites were exiled from their land and replaced by foreign people brought in by the Assyrian king. The verse itself is a reminder of the core covenant relationship between God (Yahweh) and the Israelites, emphasizing their obligation of exclusive worship and obedience. Let's break down its meaning:
"But you shall fear Yahweh...": This is the central command. "Fear" in this context doesn't mean being scared of God in a literal sense. Rather, it represents reverence, respect, awe, and obedience. It signifies acknowledging God's power, holiness, and authority. It's a call to live in a way that honors God's commandments and recognizes His sovereignty.
"...who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm...": This is the reason why they should fear Yahweh. It's a direct reference to the Exodus, the foundational event in Israelite history. God's powerful deliverance from slavery in Egypt, using miraculous signs ("outstretched arm"), is the basis for their covenant relationship and their obligation to Him. This reminds them that their very existence as a nation is owed to God's grace and power.
"...and you shall bow yourselves to him...": This refers to worship and submission. Bowing is a physical act of reverence and humility, acknowledging God's superior position and their dependence on Him. It symbolizes a willingness to follow His will.
"...and you shall sacrifice to him.": This refers to offering sacrifices as part of their worship. Sacrifices were a central part of the Israelite sacrificial system and were used to atone for sin, express thanksgiving, and acknowledge God's provision. Sacrificing to other gods was forbidden as idolatry.
In the context of 2 Kings 17, the verse carries the following significance:
Condemnation of idolatry: The chapter describes how the foreign people brought into Israel by the Assyrians worshipped their own gods while also attempting to appease Yahweh. The verse highlights that true worship of Yahweh requires exclusive devotion and adherence to His specific commands, not a syncretistic blend of different religions.
Explanation of exile: The author of 2 Kings argues that the Israelites' failure to fear Yahweh, as demonstrated by their idolatry and disobedience, led to their exile from the land. God's anger was provoked by their breaking the covenant, and He justly punished them by allowing the Assyrians to conquer them.
Reminder of the true path: Even in exile, the verse serves as a reminder of what is required to return to God's favor. They must abandon their idolatrous practices, acknowledge Yahweh as the one true God who delivered them from Egypt, and worship Him with reverence and obedience.
In essence, 2 Kings 17:36 is a powerful statement about the nature of God's covenant with Israel, emphasizing the importance of exclusive worship, obedience, and remembrance of God's saving acts. It serves as both a condemnation of past failures and a call to return to the true worship of Yahweh.
2 kings 17:36 - but you shall fear Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, and you shall bow yourselves to him, and you shall sacrifice to him.
What does "2 kings 17:36" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 17:36 is part of a larger passage explaining why the Israelites were exiled from their land and replaced by foreign people brought in by the Assyrian king. The verse itself is a reminder of the core covenant relationship between God (Yahweh) and the Israelites, emphasizing their obligation of exclusive worship and obedience. Let's break down its meaning:
"But you shall fear Yahweh...": This is the central command. "Fear" in this context doesn't mean being scared of God in a literal sense. Rather, it represents reverence, respect, awe, and obedience. It signifies acknowledging God's power, holiness, and authority. It's a call to live in a way that honors God's commandments and recognizes His sovereignty.
"...who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm...": This is the reason why they should fear Yahweh. It's a direct reference to the Exodus, the foundational event in Israelite history. God's powerful deliverance from slavery in Egypt, using miraculous signs ("outstretched arm"), is the basis for their covenant relationship and their obligation to Him. This reminds them that their very existence as a nation is owed to God's grace and power.
"...and you shall bow yourselves to him...": This refers to worship and submission. Bowing is a physical act of reverence and humility, acknowledging God's superior position and their dependence on Him. It symbolizes a willingness to follow His will.
"...and you shall sacrifice to him.": This refers to offering sacrifices as part of their worship. Sacrifices were a central part of the Israelite sacrificial system and were used to atone for sin, express thanksgiving, and acknowledge God's provision. Sacrificing to other gods was forbidden as idolatry.
In the context of 2 Kings 17, the verse carries the following significance:
Condemnation of idolatry: The chapter describes how the foreign people brought into Israel by the Assyrians worshipped their own gods while also attempting to appease Yahweh. The verse highlights that true worship of Yahweh requires exclusive devotion and adherence to His specific commands, not a syncretistic blend of different religions.
Explanation of exile: The author of 2 Kings argues that the Israelites' failure to fear Yahweh, as demonstrated by their idolatry and disobedience, led to their exile from the land. God's anger was provoked by their breaking the covenant, and He justly punished them by allowing the Assyrians to conquer them.
Reminder of the true path: Even in exile, the verse serves as a reminder of what is required to return to God's favor. They must abandon their idolatrous practices, acknowledge Yahweh as the one true God who delivered them from Egypt, and worship Him with reverence and obedience.
In essence, 2 Kings 17:36 is a powerful statement about the nature of God's covenant with Israel, emphasizing the importance of exclusive worship, obedience, and remembrance of God's saving acts. It serves as both a condemnation of past failures and a call to return to the true worship of Yahweh.