2 kings 18:12 - because they didn’t obey Yahweh their God’s voice, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded, and would not hear it or do it.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 18:12

What does "2 kings 18:12" mean?


This verse (2 Kings 18:12) explains why the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and exiled. Let's break it down:

"because they didn’t obey Yahweh their God’s voice": This is the core reason. They did not listen to and follow God's commands. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible.

"but transgressed his covenant": The covenant was a binding agreement between God and the Israelites. It involved promises from God (protection, land, blessing) in exchange for Israel's obedience to His laws and worship of Him alone. "Transgressed" means they broke or violated this sacred agreement.

"even all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded": This specifies what aspect of the covenant they violated. Moses, a key figure in Israelite history, received and delivered God's law to the people. Disobeying Moses's commands (which were understood to be God's commands) was a direct rejection of God's authority. "All" emphasizes a comprehensive disobedience, not just selective pick-and-choose.

"and would not hear it or do it": This reiterates their rebellion. It wasn't just accidental disobedience; it was a deliberate and willful refusal to listen to and obey God's commands. "Hear it" implies they were exposed to God's word but actively rejected it. "Do it" highlights their lack of obedience and action in following God.

In summary:

The verse is a condemnation of the northern kingdom of Israel's persistent disobedience to God. They rejected the covenant He had made with them through Moses, refused to listen to His commands, and consequently suffered the consequences of their actions – conquest and exile. It highlights the importance of obedience in their relationship with God and portrays disobedience as a direct cause of national disaster. It serves as a warning to future generations.