2 Kings 17:38 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:38 mean?

2 Kings 17:38 tells the people not to forget the agreement God made with them and warns them not to worship or be afraid of other gods. The verse is a reminder to stay faithful to the covenant with God and not turn to other deities for help or protection.

In this part of the story, God is speaking through a prophet to the people of Israel after they have repeatedly turned away from Him. The warning comes as part of a larger explanation for why disaster has come upon Israel—because they broke their special relationship with God by following other gods and forgetting His covenant.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:38

• "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a formal agreement or treaty, often used for the special relationship between God and Israel. The verse stresses not just a rule, but a deep, binding promise.
• "made" (כָּרַת, karat): This verb literally means "to cut," reflecting the ancient practice of making covenants by cutting animals as part of the ritual. It highlights the seriousness and formality of God's agreement with Israel.
• "forget" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means more than just failing to remember; it often means to ignore or neglect something important. The verse warns against letting God's covenant slip from their priorities.
• "fear" (יָרֵא, yare): Here, "fear" means to show reverence, awe, or worship. The command is not to give this kind of honor to other gods.

Why 2 Kings 17:38 matters

• The verse clarifies that Israel's main problem was not just breaking rules, but forgetting and abandoning a relationship with God that was meant to be exclusive and central to their identity.
• By using the word for "fear," the verse points out that worship is not just about rituals, but about where people place their trust and reverence.
• This verse connects to the larger story of Israel's exile, showing that their troubles came from turning away from God's unique covenant, not simply from political or military mistakes.