What does 2 Kings 17:28 mean?
"Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear the LORD." - 2 Kings 17:28
2 Kings 17:28 (KJV) reads, "Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord."
This verse comes from the second book of Kings, which is part of the Old Testament. The book of 2 Kings is a historical narrative that continues the story of the Israelite monarchy and the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. It covers the reign of various kings and the eventual downfall of both kingdoms as they are taken into captivity by foreign powers. The verse in question comes from a section of the book that describes how the Assyrian king resettled the region of Samaria with people from various other nations, which resulted in a mixed population and a blending of religious practices.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its meaning. After the Assyrians had taken many of the Israelites into captivity, they brought in people from other lands to inhabit the area. These newcomers did not worship the God of Israel, and as a result, the land became a mixture of religious beliefs and practices. However, one of the priests who had been taken captive from Samaria came and settled in Bethel, a city in the region.
The significance of this verse lies in the fact that despite the upheaval and displacement of the Israelite people, the worship of the Lord did not cease. The priest from Samaria continued to teach the people how to fear the Lord, despite the circumstances. This demonstrates the enduring nature of faith and the dedication of the priest to carry out his religious duties even in a foreign land. Additionally, it suggests that the worship of the Lord was not confined to a specific location or people, but could be practiced and maintained anywhere.
One of the themes in this verse is the resilience and persistence of faith. Despite being taken from their homeland and placed among foreigners with different beliefs, the priest from Samaria remained faithful to his God and continued to teach others about the Lord. This serves as a reminder that faith is not dependent on external circumstances, but can flourish even in the midst of adversity.
Another theme is the universal nature of the worship of the Lord. The fact that a priest from Samaria was able to teach the people in Bethel how to fear the Lord indicates that the worship of God was not limited to a specific geographical location or ethnic group. This aligns with the broader message of the Bible that God's love and salvation are available to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the figure of the priest from Samaria. He represents the unwavering commitment to the worship of the Lord and the preservation of religious traditions in the face of adversity. His presence in Bethel serves as a reminder that God's presence and guidance are not limited by physical boundaries or social constructs. The priest's teachings and actions symbolize the enduring nature of faith and the ability to uphold religious beliefs even in unfamiliar or challenging environments.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 17:28 (KJV) conveys a powerful message about the resilience of faith and the universal nature of the worship of the Lord. Despite being taken from their homeland and placed among people of different beliefs, the priest from Samaria continued to teach the fear of the Lord in Bethel. This verse serves as a reminder that faith is not confined by external circumstances and that the worship of God is not limited to specific locations or people. The priest's actions symbolize the enduring nature of faith and the ability to uphold religious beliefs in any environment.
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2 Kings 17:28 - "Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear the LORD."
"Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear the LORD." - 2 Kings 17:28
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 23:28 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 28:2 - "For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim."
2 Kings 10:28 - "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
2 Kings 25:28 - "And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;"
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
2 Chronicles 28:16 - "¶ At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him."
2 Chronicles 28:17 - "For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 18:28 - "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:"
2 Kings 17:8 - "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."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 8:28 - "¶ And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram."
2 Samuel 17:28 - "Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,"
2 Kings 4:28 - "Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?"
2 Kings 9:28 - "And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David."
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
Ezekiel 28:17 - "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee."
"Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." - 2 Kings 10:28
2 Chronicles 28:26 - "¶ Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 14:28 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"