So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.

2 KINGS 17:32KJV
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2 Kings 17:32 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:32 mean?

2 Kings 17:32 describes how the new settlers in Samaria showed outward respect for the LORD, but also appointed their own priests from among the lowest people to serve at local shrines, where sacrifices were made in unauthorized places. This verse shows a mix of worship practices that did not fully follow the way God had instructed Israel.

In this part of the story, the Assyrians have brought people from other nations to live in the land of Israel after the Israelites were exiled. These newcomers tried to honor the God of Israel, but they did so by blending their own customs with Israel’s, setting up priests and places of worship that did not match God’s commands. The verse highlights the confusion and compromise in their religious practices.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:32

  • "feared" (יָרֵא, yare'): This word often means to show reverence or respect, but it can also mean fear in a more general sense. Here, it suggests a surface-level respect for the LORD, not a deep or obedient faith.
  • "lowest" (קָצֶה, qatseh): This word means the lowest or least important people. The settlers did not choose priests according to God’s standards, but picked from anyone, showing a disregard for the special role of priests in Israel.
  • "places" (בָּמָה, bamah): This refers to high places or local shrines, which were often used for worship outside the temple. In Israel’s history, these high places were usually associated with improper or mixed worship.

Why 2 Kings 17:32 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that simply showing respect for God is enough; it shows that the way people worship matters, not just the fact that they worship.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing how the people in Samaria mixed true worship with their own traditions, which was a key reason for Israel’s earlier downfall.
  • It reveals that the newcomers did not fully understand or follow God’s instructions, which set the stage for ongoing problems in the region’s spiritual life.

Where else these words appear

“lowest” Hebrew H7098 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
  • Exodus 36:11 And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
  • 1 Kings 12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

“feared” Hebrew H3373 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • Psalms 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
  • Psalms 128:1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

“places” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.