And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

2 KINGS 17:9KJV
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2 Kings 17:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:9 mean?

2 Kings 17:9 describes how the people of Israel secretly did things that were wrong in the eyes of the LORD their God, specifically by building high places for worship throughout all their cities, from the smallest outpost to the largest fortified city. The verse highlights both the hidden nature of their actions and how widespread this unfaithfulness had become.

This verse is part of a historical account explaining why Israel fell to Assyria. The writer is describing to later readers how the Israelites, despite being God's chosen people, repeatedly disobeyed God by adopting forbidden religious practices. The mention of "high places" refers to unauthorized worship sites, which were often used for idol worship and stood in direct opposition to worship at the temple in Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:9

  • "secretly" (חָפַשׂ, ḥāphash): This word carries the sense of acting in a hidden or deceitful way, suggesting the Israelites knew their actions were wrong but tried to conceal them from others or from God.
  • "high places" (בָּמָה, bāmāh): These were elevated sites used for religious rituals, often associated with idol worship or practices borrowed from surrounding nations, which God had forbidden.
  • "tower" (מִגְדָּל, migdal) and "city" (עִיר, ʿir): The phrase "from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city" is a way of saying "everywhere," from the smallest rural outpost to the largest city, showing the total spread of these practices.

Why 2 Kings 17:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel's unfaithfulness was not just occasional or isolated, but a widespread and deliberate turning away from God, even in secret.
  • The emphasis on secrecy suggests that the people were aware their actions were wrong, highlighting the seriousness of their disobedience.
  • By explaining the extent of idol worship, the verse sets up the reason for Israel's eventual exile, connecting personal and national choices to their consequences in the larger biblical story.

Where else these words appear

“fenced” Hebrew H4013 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
  • 2 Chronicles 17:19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

“tower” Hebrew H4026 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
  • Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

“watchmen” Hebrew H5341 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
  • Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

“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.