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.

2 KINGS 17:28KJV
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2 Kings 17:28 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:28 mean?

2 Kings 17:28 describes how one of the priests who had been taken from Samaria returned and settled in Bethel, where he taught the new inhabitants how they should honor and respect the LORD. The verse shows an effort to instruct people in the proper way to worship Israel’s God after a time of upheaval and resettlement.

The setting is after the Assyrian conquest of Israel, when people from other nations were brought in to live in the land. The Assyrian king sent back a priest from the Israelites who had been exiled, so he could teach the newcomers about the worship of the LORD (the God of Israel). This verse highlights the attempt to reintroduce the knowledge and practices of Israel’s faith among people unfamiliar with them.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:28

  • יָרֵא (yare’) — “fear”: This word is often understood as “to revere” or “to show proper respect.” Here, it means teaching the people not just to be afraid, but to honor and worship the LORD in the way expected in Israel.
  • יָרָה (yarah) — “taught”: This verb carries the sense of instructing or guiding, especially in matters of right conduct or religious practice. The priest’s role was to give clear direction on how to worship the LORD.
  • כֹּהֵן (kohen) — “priest”: The priest was someone with special knowledge of Israel’s religious laws and rituals. His presence shows the importance of having someone qualified to teach about the LORD.

Why 2 Kings 17:28 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the new settlers in Israel were not left to guess how to worship the LORD; they were given instruction from someone who knew Israel’s traditions.
  • It shows that “fearing the LORD” meant more than just being afraid—it involved learning and following specific ways of worship.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of 2 Kings 17, where the mixing of peoples and religions led to confusion and problems; this teaching was meant to address that confusion.

Where else these words appear

“Bethel” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

“taught” Hebrew H3384 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
  • 2 Samuel 11:24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
  • Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.