Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

2 KINGS 17:18KJV
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2 Kings 17:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:18 mean?

2 Kings 17:18 says that the LORD became extremely angry with Israel and drove them away from his presence, leaving only the tribe of Judah. This verse explains that, because of Israel’s actions, God allowed the northern kingdom to be taken away, with only Judah remaining.

The verse is part of a historical account where the writer explains why the people of Israel (the northern kingdom) were exiled by Assyria. The LORD (God) is described as having reached a point of intense anger due to Israel’s persistent disobedience and idolatry. The result was that the ten northern tribes were removed, and only the tribe of Judah (the southern kingdom) was left in the land.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:18

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing God’s direct involvement and authority in Israel’s fate.
  • very (מְאֹד, me’od): This word intensifies the anger described, showing that God’s response was not mild or passing but extremely strong.
  • removed (סוּר, sur): This verb means to turn aside or remove, highlighting that God actively distanced Israel from his presence, not just allowing but causing their exile.
  • sight (פָּנִים, panim): Literally “face,” this word often refers to being in someone’s presence. Here, it stresses that Israel was no longer before God in a favored or protected position.

Why 2 Kings 17:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the exile of Israel was not just a political event but was understood as a direct result of their relationship with God and their choices.
  • The emphasis on “none left but the tribe of Judah only” sets up the later focus on Judah’s fate and explains why the biblical story narrows to this tribe.
  • The verse helps readers see the seriousness with which God regarded Israel’s unfaithfulness, making sense of the dramatic events that follow in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“angry” Hebrew H599 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:37 Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
  • 1 Kings 8:46 If they sin against thee,(for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
  • Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

“left” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.