2 Kings 17:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:24 mean?

2 Kings 17:24 describes how the king of Assyria brought people from several foreign cities—Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim—and settled them in the cities of Samaria to replace the Israelites who had been taken away. These new settlers took over Samaria and lived in its towns.

This verse comes after the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel. The Assyrian king, having exiled many Israelites, repopulated the area with people from other parts of his empire. This policy mixed different peoples and cultures in Samaria, which later shaped the region’s identity and tensions with the remaining Israelites.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:24

• "King" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Refers specifically to the ruler of Assyria, showing his authority to move populations as he wished.
• "Brought" (בּוֹא, bo): This word often means to bring or cause to come, emphasizing the king’s active role in relocating these groups.
• "Placed" / "Dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav): Used twice, this word means to settle or inhabit, highlighting that these people were not just passing through—they established new homes in Samaria.
• "Possessed" (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word carries the sense of taking over or inheriting land, showing that the newcomers fully replaced the Israelites in both residence and control.

Why 2 Kings 17:24 matters

• This verse explains the origin of the mixed population in Samaria, which is important for understanding later tensions between Samaritans and Jews in the Bible.
• The verse shows the Assyrian policy of forced resettlement, a common ancient practice to control conquered lands and prevent rebellion.
• It sets the stage for the religious and cultural changes in Samaria, which become important in the following verses and in later biblical history.