2 Kings 10:29 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 10:29 mean?

2 Kings 10:29 says that even though Jehu got rid of some forms of idol worship in Israel, he still followed the sinful practices started by Jeroboam, especially the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. The verse points out that Jehu did not fully turn away from the earlier sins that led Israel astray.

This verse is part of a summary about Jehu, the king of Israel, after he removed the family of Ahab and destroyed the worship of Baal. However, the writer notes that Jehu kept the old religious system set up by Jeroboam, who had made two golden calves for Israel to worship instead of going to Jerusalem. The verse highlights that Jehu’s reforms were incomplete because he continued the same idolatry that had long been a problem in Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 10:29

• "sins" (חַטָּאוֹת, ḥaṭṭāʾōt): This word refers to the wrongdoings or offenses, specifically the religious sins of idolatry that Jeroboam introduced. The use of the plural suggests ongoing or repeated acts, not just a single event.
• "golden" (זָהָב, zāhāv) and "calves" (עֵגֶל, ʿēgel): These words describe the physical idols Jeroboam made. The text singles out these particular objects to show that the problem was not just general disobedience, but a specific kind of idol worship.
• "Bethel" (בֵּית־אֵל, Bēt-ʾĒl) and "Dan" (דָּן, Dān): These are the two locations where the golden calves were set up. Naming both places makes it clear that this was a nationwide issue, not just a local one.

Why 2 Kings 10:29 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jehu’s reforms were only partial; he removed Baal worship but kept the older idolatry, showing that political or religious change can be incomplete.
• The verse emphasizes that the "sins of Jeroboam" were a defining and ongoing problem for Israel, shaping the nation’s spiritual direction for generations.
• By naming Bethel and Dan, the verse connects Jehu’s actions to the broader history of Israel’s divided worship, helping readers understand why later prophets criticized the northern kingdom.