2 Reis 17
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Reis 17
NJB (MT versing) Hoshea Reigns Over Israel Hoshea Reigns in Israel The End of Israel, with Reasons for the Catastrophe King Hoshea of Israel The Reign of Hoshea in Israel (732-724) 17:1-4 17:1-4 17:1-4 17:1-4 17:1-2 17:3-4 Israel Carried to Assyria The Fall of Samaria The Fall of Samaria 17:5 17:5-6 17:5-6 17:5-6 17:5-6 Israel Captive 17:6 Why Israel Fell Observations on the Fall of the Northern Kingdom 17:7-18 17:7-18 17:7-18 17:7-12 17:7-12 17:13-18 17:13-18 17:19-20 17:19-23 17:19-20 17:19-20 17:19-23 17:21-23 17:21-23 17:21-23 Cities of Israel Filled with Strangers Assyria Resettles Samaria The Origins of the Samaritans The Assyrians Settle in Israel The Origin of the Samaritans 17:24-26 17:24-28 17:24-28 17:24-28 17:24 17:25-28 17:27-28 17:29-33 17:29-41 17:29-34a 17:29-33 17:29-34a 17:34-41 17:34b-40 17:34-40 17:34b-40 17:41 17:41 17:41 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter documents the idolatry of Israel They feared other gods, v. 1. They walked in the customs of the nations, v. 8. They walked in customs of the kings of Israel (gold calves of Dan and Bethel, NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 320), vv. 8,19,21,22; 1 Kgs. 12:25-35. They did things secretly (cf. Ezekiel 8), v. 9 They built high places in every town (i.e., Ba'al and Asherah fertility worship), vv. 9,10,16. They burned incense on high places, v. 11. They served idols, vv. 12,29,31. They followed the vanity of the nations (i.e., idolatry), v. 15 They worshiped all the hosts of heaven (astrology), v. 16; 21:3. They sacrificed their children to Molech, vv. 17,31. They practiced divination, v. 17; see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 945-950. They practiced enchantments, v. 17; see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 84. Many of these evil actions are repetitious and cover the same sins. For a summary of these evils, see Deuteronomy 18 online. This chapter lists the places that the Israelites were exiled (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:11) Halah, a city or river close to Nineveh (ABD, vol. 3, p. 25). Habor; this is a tributary to the Euphrates River in Assyria which flows past the city of Gozan. On the River Gozan (there is a city by this name about 50 miles east of the city of Haran). Cities of the Medes; this was a region northeast of the Tigris River. When compared with 1 Chr. 5:26, it seems these references may mean that the Israelites were resettled across northern Assyria. See The MacMillan Bible Atlas, map 150. This chapter lists the places (i.e., cities) from which Assyria brought people to live in Israel. Babylon, v. 24 (city at the mouth of the Euphrates) Cuthah, v. 24 (a nearby city to #1) Avva, v. 24 (city of Ama of Elam, ABD, vol. 1, p. 531) Hamath, v. 24 (city north of Ribah on the Orontes River). Sepharvaim, v. 24 city of Sippar, 20 miles southwest of Baghdad city of Sipraani in upper region in southern Mesopotamia (ABD, vol. 5, p. 1090) These all seem to be cities in southern Babylon; see The MacMillan Bible Atlas, map 150.
2 Reis 17:1-4
17:1 "In the twelfth year of Ahaz" Notice 2 Kgs. 15:30 dates Hoshea to the reign of Jotham, Ahaz's father. This can be explained by a co-reign. ▣ "Hoshea" His name (BDB 448) means "salvation" or "deliverance." He killed Pekah (cf. 2 Kgs. 15:30). Tiglath-pileser III claims he was behind this coup. Hoshea was initially pro-Assyrian. In essence he was a vassal of Assyria. SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED MONARCHY SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA ▣ "reigned" He reigned over a very small area, really only the tribal territories of Ephraim and western Manasseh. 17:2 "only not as the kings of Israel who were before him" This is a unique phrase. Rabbis say that 2 Chr. 30:11,18 reflects why. He removed guards on the road to Jerusalem and allowed his people to go to the temple in Jerusalem. But this makes no sense for a pro-Assyrian vassal. 17:3 "Shalmaneser" He is known as Shalmaneser V (727-722 B.C.). He was the son of Tiglath-pileser III. He started the siege of Samaria but his son, Sargon II, finished it after a three year siege in 722 B.C. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA, #20 17:4 "found conspiracy in Hoshea. . .So king of Egypt" Hosea 7:11; 9:3; 11:5; 12:1 reflect Hoshea looking for help from Egypt. However, during this period Egypt was torn by inner struggles between native dynasties (i.e., Tefnekht, 24th dynasty) and Ethiopian influences (Piankhy). Hoshea's pro-Assyrian proclivity did not last long! This change occurred at the time of Tiglath-pileser III's death (727 B.C.) ▣ "So king of Egypt" Josephus (Antiq. 9.14.1) calls the Pharaoh "So" (BDB 690). The NRSV has "at So," while the NJB has "to Sais." KB 746 suggests the reference is to the city of Sais, located in the Delta region of Egypt. K. A. Kitchen and the IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 403, suggests "So" is an abbreviation for Osorkon IV, King of Tanis and Bubastis (730-715 B.C.). "So" is mentioned as Pharaoh in Josephus (Antiq. 9.14.1). However, it could also refer to an Egyptian high official (but not Pharaoh). The JB footnote suggests "Sibe" of Assyrian Texts, possibly a prince in the Delta (AB, p. 196, rejects this as an option). Hoshea's pro-Egypt attitude is clearly seen in Hosea 7:11; 11:1,5; 13:4. An Egyptian king had helped Jeroboam I; maybe they would help again. ▣ "shut him up and bound him in prison" Hoshea was imprisoned when he appeared before Shalmaneser V. This happened before Samaria was besieged. Therefore, vv. 4 and 5 refer to two different invasions. The first took out Tyre and Philistia; the second, some time later, took out all of Israel.
2 Reis 17:5
17:5 "besieged it three years" The siege of Samaria started under Shalmaneser V but ended under his son, Sargon II. Samaria was naturally well fortified on a high ridge with only one natural entrance.
2 Reis 17:6
17:6 "captured Samaria" Assyrian records say that 27,290 people were exiled from the capital alone. ▣ "into exile in Assyria" They were taken to the northern area of the Euphrates valley. This was the fall of national Israel in 722 B.C. See Contextual Insights, B. And NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 595-600. Josephus (Antiq. 9.14.1) gives several dates related to this exile. 947 years after the exodus 800 years after Joshua 247 years, seven months, and seven days after the split between Solomon's son Rehoboam and Jeroboam I
2 Reis 17:7-18
17:7-14 See the list in Contextual Insights, A. 17:7 The fall of Samaria and the northern kingdom was not because of the power of the Assyrian gods or the Assyrian army but because of YHWH's judgment on them because of their repeated, unrepentant idolatry! SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY ▣ "the Lord their God" This is the covenant name of Abraham's God. YHWH ‒ SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D Elohim ‒ SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C 17:8 "walked" This is an idiom for lifestyle. It was based on God's word to Abraham's descendants as a well worn, straight, smooth, clear path (i.e., Ps. 1:1; 16:11; 89:15; 119:105; 139:24; Isa. 5:2; 1 John 1:7). God's will was not hidden but clearly revealed in the Mosaic Covenant. 17:9 NASB, NKJV, REB "did things secretly" "uttered blasphemies" "spoke slightingly" "clothed themselves with words" "spoken words" The MT has a VERB and a NOUN. VERB ‒ BDB 341, KB 339, Piel IMPERFECT with waw, which occurs only here in the OT. KB suggests "ascribe" or "impute." See NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 227-228. NOUN (BDB 182), which means "speech" or "word" The things done secretly were worship affirmations to false gods. ▣ "they built for themselves high places in all their towns" Canaanite worship involved imitation magic (i.e., fertility acts representing the fertility of nature). The male god was Ba'al the storm/rain god of the Ugaritic pantheon, represented by an uplifted phallic symbol, a rock. The female goddess was represented by a likeness of the "tree of life" (i.e., a carved pole or live tree). See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 284-288). SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "towns, from watchtower to fortified city" The high places were naturally raised hills or manmade stone platforms in every city, fort, and village. 17:10 "sacred pillars" These were uplifted stone pillars representing male genitalia. ▣ "Asherim" These were wooden poles/trees, representing the female goddess. She is also known as Asherah, Astarte, Anath. ▣ "every green tree" This refers to the sacred nature of groves of trees in a semi-arid land (cf. 2 Kgs. 16:4; 2 Chr. 28:4; Jer. 2:20; 3:6,13; 17:2; Ezek. 6:13; Hosea 4:13). See NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 1153. SPECIAL TOPIC: TREES 17:11 "they did evil things provoking the Lord" The VERB (BDB 494, KB 491, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) occurs often in Kings. 1 Kgs. 14:9,15; 15:30; 16:2,7,13,26; 21:22; 22:53 2 Kgs. 17:11,17; 21:6,15; 22:17; 23:19,26 also note 2 Chr. 28:25; 33:6; 34:25 SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE 17:12 "You shall not do this" This is an allusion to Exod. 20:4,23; 34:17; Lev. 19:4; 26:1; Deut. 4:15-19; 5:8-9; 27:15. There was only one God! SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP 17:13 "prophets. . .seer" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHET (the different Hebrew terms). ▣ "Turn" This is the VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE) which is often a call to repentance (i.e., a turning from and a turning to). See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 56-59. SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) ▣ "commandments. . .statutes" A further list is found in v. 34. All of these terms refer to the Mosaic Law, which was meditated by the prophets. SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION ▣ "My servants" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT. 17:14 "they did not listen" Israel had YHWH's revelations and prophets but refused to obey (cf. Rom. 9:4)! SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "stiffened their neck like their fathers" This is a repeated theme. See my note below from Deut. 31:27. Deut. 31:27 "stubbornness" "stiff neck" NRSV, TEV "stubborn" "stiff necked" The term is a combination of "neck" (BDB 791) and "stiff" or "hard" (BDB 904). Israel is often described by this unflattering combination (cf. Exod. 32:8; 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6,13; 31:27). The VERB is used in Deut. 10:16; 2 Kgs. 17:14; Neh. 9:16,17,29; Jer. 7:26; 17:23; 19:15. The same thought is expressed in Isa. 48:4 and Ezek. 2:4; 3:7. In a sense vv. 27-29 is a prophecy, based on the past actions of Israel. This same kind of prophecy is also found in Josh. 24:19-20. Israel's best efforts were not enough. The first covenant would fail to restore the intended intimacy between YHWH and His highest creation (i.e., mankind) in the Garden of Eden. It would take a New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-38) based on YHWH's actions. Mankind was incurably rebellious (cf. Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Jer. 17:9). ▣ "who did not believe in the Lord their God" What a shocking verse! The covenant people did not "believe" in YHWH? Belief is shown by obedience (i.e., Deut. 6:3; Luke 6:46). The LXX takes this phrase to mean "as the generations past, the Israelites became more and more disobedient." SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 17:15 "rejected" This VERB (BDB 549, KB 540, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) means "to reject" or "refuse." The Dead Sea Scrolls translation takes this as a Akkadian root for "breaking an oath." These covenant Israelites had sworn that they would follow YHWH's revelation (i.e., Mosaic law) but they did not, did not, did not, did not! It was not ignorance or lack of information but self-willed disobedience. ▣ "His covenant" See: SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S COVENANT REQUIREMENTS OF ISRAEL SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS ▣ "they followed vanity and became vain" This is the use of a VERB and NOUN of the same root. vain ‒ BDB 210 I became vain ‒ BDB 211, KB 236, Qal IMPERFECT with waw The root basically means "vapor" or "breath." It is used repetitively in Ecclesiastes (see full note at Eccl. 1:2). Notice how Jeremiah uses this term for idolatry (cf. Jer. 2:5; 10:3,15; 16:19). Idols are unreal! 17:16 There are several idolatrous aspects listed in this verse. See Contextual Insights, A. ▣ "the host of heaven" Moses had warned against this in Deut. 4:19; 17:2-3. Manasseh also worshiped the sun, moon, and stars (cf. 2 Kgs. 21:3,5; 2 Chr. 33:5). SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS, B. 6. SPECIAL TOPIC: MOON WORSHIP 17:17 "made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire" This refers to the worship of the fertility god Molech (cf. Lev. 18:211; 20:2-5; Deut. 12:31; also 2 Kgs. 17:31). He was a Phoenician deity taken over by the Canaanites. Little children were burned to death in his honor to insure fertility of crops, herds, and humans. Modern scholarship thinks the word refers to a type of sacrifice, not a title for a deity. SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH ▣ "practiced divination" See SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION. ▣ "enchantments" "soothsaying" NRSV, REB, JPSOA "augury" NJB, Peshitta "sorcery" "ornithomancy" The MT has the VERB (BDB 638 II, KB 690, Piel IMPERFECT; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 84). This root is the same as "serpent." It came to be associated with hearing voices and, thereby, interpreting signs. I have included my exegetical note from Deut. 18:10. Deut. 18:10 "one who interprets omens" The meaning of this term (BDB 638 II, KB 690) is uncertain. In Syrian it means "to murmur an obscure incantation" (KB 690). The root has several usages: serpent ‒ BDB 638 I VERB in Piel only, (BDB 638 II) meaning : practice divination observe signs/omens copper/bronze ‒ BDB 638 III unknown ‒ BDB 638 IV See full note at Gen. 44:5. ▣ "sold themselves to do evil" This VERB (BDB 569, KB 581, Hithpael IMPERFECT) is used as a contrast to YHWH "purchasing them." They were "redeemed" covenant people bought by God but they had "sold" themselves into the superstition and slavery of idolatry. SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM 17:18 "removed them from His sight" As YHWH removed the sinful Canaanites (cf. Gen. 15:12-21), now He removes sinful Israel (cf. vv. 18,20,23), as He would later exile sinful Judah (cf. v. 19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). The Mosaic covenant was conditional. There are conseuqences to disobedience in time and eternity.
2 Reis 17:19-20
17:19 This verse refers to Judah when all surrounding verses refer to Israel. The Jewish Study Bible suggests this chapter is of composite origin. two authors combined later editor later scribe The "until this day" of v. 23 probably refers to the time of, and a bit later than, the fall of Judah. Judah was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar several times: 669, 590, 586, 582 B.C. The temple fell in 586 B.C. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF NEO-BABYLON, D. #4 17:20 Notice what YHWH did to the descendants of Jacob/Israel because of their idolatry. rejected ‒ BDB 549, KB 550, Qal IMPERFECT with waw afflicted ‒ BDB 776, KB 853, Piel IMPERFECT with waw gave them into the hands of plunderers ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT with waw cast them from His sight ‒ BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil PERFECT v. 21, drove Israel away (see note at v. 21) The covenant people were especially guilty because of their covenant advantages (cf. Rom. 9:4)! The Mosaic covenant was conditional (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28-30)!
2 Reis 17:21-23
17:21 The separation of the United Monarchy was due to the sin of Solomon and Rehoboam. But now the northern kingdom is totally rejected and exiled (mainly because of the two golden calves of Jeroboam I, cf. v. 22). ▣ "drove Israel away" The MT has the VERB (BDB 621, KB 671, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, which occurs only here), meaning "drive away," but the Masoretic scholars suggested a similar root (BDB 623, KB 673, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw), meaning "thrust out" or "push away." Was this exile the fault of Jeroboam I's (leadership) or Israel's (people)—yes! 17:23 In light of Israel turning away from YHWH, so now YHWH turns away from them.
2 Reis 17:24-26
17:24 See Contextual Insights, C. 17:24-33 AB, p. 213, suggests that vv. 24-33 refer to foreign settlers brought to Samaria vv 34-40 refer to the exiled Israelites v. 41 is like a summary 17:25 Some people from southern Assyria (i.e., Babylon) were resettled in Samaria. They, too, sinned against YHWH. He sent lions among them (cf. Lev. 16:21-22). Canaan was YHWH's land. SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS 17:26 The king of Assyria interpreted this as these new people did not know the customs "of the god (gods) of the land." In the ANE each god had its own land. This was a false worldview but it was what they thought. Therefore, the king took Israelite priests (i.e., YHWH and Ba'al mixed priests; notice he returned to Bethel) and returned them to Canaan to teach the new people the "proper" customs. But these new people brought their own customs of idolatry with them and refused to fear the Lord. R. K. Harrison, Old Testament Times, p. 305, speculates that this priest (vv. 27-28) was the beginning of the traditions related to the famous Samaritan Pentateuch.
2 Reis 17:29-33
17:30-32 These verses mention several idols that these new people from Babylon, who had been settled in Samaria, made (BDB 793 I, KB 889, Qal PERFECT). Succoth-benoth ‒ ABD, vol. 6, p. 218, Hebrew uncertain possibly first word linked to Sukkuth of Amos 5:26 "booths of girls," which would refer to the cultic prostitution of ANE fertility cults a scribal pun on Marduk's female counterpart, Sarpanitu (Expositor's Bible Commentary, p. 251). If this is true, the other names are probably purposely misspelled. benoth may be Banitu, the female creator goddess of the ANE, Ishtar Nergal ‒ ABD, vol. 4, p. 1074, the Sumerian god of the underworld who was worshiped at Cutha in Babylon Ashuma ‒ ABD, vol. 1, p. 487, possibly a Syrian fertility goddess, like Anat, Astarte, or Asherah (cf. Amos 8:14) a city in Elam named Amate. This fits the southern/eastern provinces of Assyria better (i.e., Elam and Babylon) Nibhaz ‒ ABD, vol. 4, p. 1104, #4 and #5, are a pair of gods from Elam or Syria Tartak ‒ ABD, vol. 6, pp. 334-335, for current conjectures but no certain identification. Possible purposeful misspelling of Atargatis, a Syrian goddess Adrammelech ‒ ABD, vol. 1, p. 79, possibly may refer to fire god of the city of Sippar Anammelech ‒ ABD, vol. 1, p. 223 a purposeful misspelling of the name of the Syrian god, Hadad Anu, a Sumerian sky god Melech, a type of sacrifice and not the name of the god Molech purposeful misspelling of Canaanite fertility gods/goddesses (i.e., An and Anat) 17:32 Israel (cf. Jeroboam I in 1 Kgs. 12:31; 13:33) appointed common people to act as priests instead of the family of Levi. Probably most of the Levitical priests returned to Judah at the splitting of the United Monarchy in 922 B.C. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS 17:33 This verse implies that these new people, like the Israelites, tried to merge the worship of YHWH (i.e., the Mosaic covenant mediated by the prophets) with other pagan deities and practices (i.e., vv. 40-41). They just added YHWH to their pantheon. These new people will, in time, become the Samaritans of the NT.
2 Reis 17:34-41
17:34 "Jacob, whom He named Israel" It is possible that v. 34-39 refer to the exiled Israelites not the imported pagans. If so, then v. 41 refers to the places where the Israelites were exiled. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) 17:36 This verse describes YHWH's great redemptive promise (cf. Gen. 15:12-21) and act (the exodus). The imagery comes from Exod. 32:11; Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; Ps. 136:12. ▣ Notice the three aspects of the worship of YHWH. fear Him; SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) bow down to Him; SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP sacrifice to Him; SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANE This is exactly what Israel was doing to pagan gods (cf. v. 35). 17:37 See note at v. 13. ▣ "which He wrote for you" This could refer to two things. YHWH writing the Ten Commandments with His own finger (cf. Exod. 24:12; 31:18; 32:16; 34:1) Moses writing down YHWH's instructions (cf. Exod. 17:14; 24:4; 34:27; Num. 33:2) SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSAIC AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH ▣ "you shall observe to do forever" Obedience is crucial! The vast majority of covenants are conditional (cf. Lev. 18:26; 22:31; Deut. 4:2,40; 6:2; 26:16; 1 Kgs. 2:3; Ps. 105:45; Ezek. 11:20). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 17:41 The power of family or national traditions is very strong. This is why Israel was told to train her sons and daughters in the worship of YHWH (cf. Deut. 4:9,10; 6:7,20-25; 11:19; 31:13,32-46; also note Exod. 10:2; 12:26; 13:8,14). ▣ NASB, TEV, NJB, JPSOA "idols" NKJV, REB, LXX "carved images" "images" "graven images" The MT has the NOUN (BDB 820) which comes from the VERB "to hew" or "to shape," used of the two stone tablets made by Moses to receive YHWH's commandments (cf. Exod. 34:1,4; Deut. 10:1). The PLURAL form of the NOUN was used of shaping pagan gods. YHWH bans all images of Himself ‒ Deut. 4:16-18 the term connects directly to Asherah poles ‒ Deut. 7:5,25; 12:3; 2 Kgs. 21:7 Micah's image ‒ Jdgs. 18:31 collective term for all images shaped by man ‒ 2 Chr. 33:22; 34:3-4