2 Kings 17:30: “The people from Babylon made Sukkoth Benoth, those from Cuthah made Nergal, and those from Hamath made Ashima.”
Extended Explanation
This verse describes the various idols and gods that the foreign settlers in Samaria created after being resettled there by the Assyrians. The people from Babylon, Cuthah, and Hamath brought with them their own deities and religious practices. These idols—Sukkoth Benoth, Nergal, and Ashima—represent the pagan worship practices of different groups. Despite being taught by a priest how to worship the Lord, these settlers continued to worship their own gods, integrating their pagan customs with a superficial attempt at honoring the God of Israel. This practice of blending different religions, called syncretism, resulted in a diluted and corrupted form of worship in the region.
Historical Context
Following the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C., the Assyrians resettled people from other parts of their empire into Samaria. These settlers were from various regions, including Babylon, Cuthah, and Hamath, and they brought with them their own gods. Each group worshiped its own deities, continuing their religious traditions despite being in a new land. The Assyrian policy of mixing populations was intended to prevent nationalistic rebellion, but it also led to a blending of religious practices. The gods mentioned—Sukkoth Benoth, Nergal, and Ashima—were part of this syncretistic religious environment, where worship of the true God of Israel was mixed with paganism.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse demonstrates the danger of attempting to combine the worship of the one true God with idolatry. The people from these foreign nations did not abandon their false gods, even though they were living in a land that had been given to the Israelites by God. Instead, they blended their idolatrous practices with a shallow attempt to worship the Lord. This blending of religious practices contradicts the clear commandment of God that He alone should be worshiped. The verse serves as a reminder that true worship of God requires exclusive devotion and cannot be mixed with the worship of idols or false gods.
Literary Analysis
This verse lists three specific deities—Sukkoth Benoth, Nergal, and Ashima—associated with different groups of settlers. Each god mentioned reflects the culture and religious beliefs of the people who brought them to Samaria. The specific naming of these idols highlights the persistence of idolatry even after the fall of Israel, showing that the worship of false gods was not easily eradicated. The structure of the verse, naming different gods by their regions, emphasizes the widespread nature of idolatry in Samaria and the ongoing challenge of maintaining pure worship of the Lord in a land influenced by paganism.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 20:3-5 – God commands Israel to have no other gods and to not make idols, which directly opposes the practices described in 2 Kings 17:30.
- Deuteronomy 12:29-31 – These verses warn Israel not to adopt the practices of the nations they displace, emphasizing the need to avoid idolatry and syncretism.
- 1 Kings 12:28-31 – King Jeroboam’s introduction of idol worship in the Northern Kingdom, which set the stage for the ongoing idolatry that persisted until Israel’s exile.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern Christians, this verse serves as a warning about the dangers of idolatry and mixing worldly beliefs with faith in God. While most people today do not worship physical idols like those mentioned in the verse, idolatry can take many forms, including placing material possessions, personal ambitions, or societal values above God. The settlers in Samaria tried to maintain their old religious practices while also acknowledging the God of Israel, but their worship was corrupted. Christians today must be vigilant to keep their devotion to God pure, avoiding the temptation to compromise their faith by blending it with secular values or practices that contradict God’s Word.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Even though this verse describes people who worshiped false gods, it reflects God’s love in allowing them the opportunity to learn about Him through the priest sent to teach them. God desires that all people know and worship Him, but He also requires that worship to be sincere and undivided. The persistence of idolatry grieves God because it harms His people and draws them away from the truth. His love is seen in His continual efforts to call people back to pure worship, and He longs for them to reject false gods and come to know Him fully.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ by showing the need for a Savior who can lead people away from false worship and into the truth. Just as the settlers in Samaria continued to worship idols despite being taught about the Lord, humanity has always struggled with turning away from false gods. Jesus came to reveal the true nature of God and to offer a way to know Him fully and worship Him rightly. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of idolatry and sin, offering reconciliation with God. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s desire for people to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there “idols” in your life—whether material possessions, ambitions, or societal pressures—that compete with your devotion to God?
- How does this verse challenge you to ensure that your worship of God is pure and free from influences that lead you away from Him?
- In what ways does Jesus’ life and teaching help you understand true worship? How can you follow Him more closely in your daily life?