But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.

2 KINGS 17:36KJV
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2 Kings 17:36 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:36 mean?

2 Kings 17:36 tells the people of Israel that they are to honor, worship, and offer sacrifices only to the LORD, who delivered them from Egypt with great power. The verse emphasizes that their devotion and religious acts should be directed to God alone, not to other gods.

In this part of the story, the writer is reminding Israel of their unique relationship with the LORD (Yahweh) after warning them against worshiping other gods. The verse points back to the Exodus, highlighting God’s mighty rescue as the reason He alone deserves their fear, worship, and sacrifices.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:36

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, stressing a direct and exclusive relationship.
  • fear (יָרֵא, yare’): This word means to have deep respect, awe, or reverence, not just to be afraid. It calls for a heart attitude of honor toward God.
  • worship (שָׁחָה, shachah): This word often means to bow down or physically show respect, underlining that worship involves both attitude and action.
  • arm (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa’): Refers to strength or power, picturing God’s ability to save and act on behalf of His people.

Why 2 Kings 17:36 matters

  • This verse clears up that Israel’s worship was meant to be exclusive—no other gods were to receive their sacrifices or reverence.
  • The emphasis on God’s deliverance from Egypt reminds readers that Israel’s faith is rooted in real historical acts, not just tradition.
  • In the wider passage, this verse stands as a contrast to the people’s disobedience, showing what true loyalty to God should look like.

Where else these words appear

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
  • Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

“power” Hebrew H3581 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
  • Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

“sacrifice” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.