2 Kings 17:10
2 Kings 17:10 in Multiple Translations
They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
and they set them up pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree;
They put up pillars of stone and wood on every high hill and under every green tree:
They set up pagan stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
And had made them images and groues vpon euery hie hill, and vnder euery greene tree,
and set up for them standing-pillars and shrines on every high height, and under every green tree,
and they set up for themselves pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree;
And they set up for themselves images and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree:
And they made them statues and groves on every high hill, and under every shady tree:
They set up stone pillars to honor gods, and poles to worship the goddess Asherah at the top of every high hill and under every big tree.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 17:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 17:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּצִּ֧בוּ
לָ/הֶ֛ם
מַצֵּב֖וֹת
וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים
עַ֚ל
כָּל
גִּבְעָ֣ה
גְבֹהָ֔ה
וְ/תַ֖חַת
כָּל
עֵ֥ץ
רַעֲנָֽן
וַ/יַּצִּ֧בוּ
nâtsab
H5324
to stand
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ/הֶ֛ם
Prep | Suff
מַצֵּב֖וֹת
matstsêbâh
H4676
pillar
N-fp
וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים
ʼăshêrâh
H842
Asherah
Conj | N-proper
עַ֚ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
גִּבְעָ֣ה
gibʻâh
H1389
Gibeat
N-fs
גְבֹהָ֔ה
gâbôahh
H1364
high
Adj
וְ/תַ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Conj | Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
רַעֲנָֽן
raʻănân
H7488
be fresh
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 17:10
וַ/יַּצִּ֧בוּ
nâtsab
H5324
"to stand"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.
לָ/הֶ֛ם
""
Prep | Suff
מַצֵּב֖וֹת
matstsêbâh
H4676
"pillar"
N-fp
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) pillar, mastaba, stump 1a) pillar 1a1) as monument, personal memorial 1a2) with an altar 1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 19:19.
וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים
ʼăshêrâh
H842
"Asherah"
Conj | N-proper
Asherah was a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, often represented by a tree or pole near an altar. The Bible warns against worshipping her, as in Deuteronomy and Judges. She was considered a consort of Baal.
Definition: § Ashera(h) = "groves (for idol worship)" a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images her images sacred trees or poles set up near an altar
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: grove. Compare H6253 (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת). See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Kings 23:4; Isaiah 17:8.
עַ֚ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
גִּבְעָ֣ה
gibʻâh
H1389
"Gibeat"
N-fs
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
גְבֹהָ֔ה
gâbôahh
H1364
"high"
Adj
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Definition: adj 1) high, exalted 1a) high, tall 1b) high (in position) 1c) proud, haughty n m 2) loftiness Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, [idiom] exceeding proudly. See also: Genesis 7:19; Isaiah 5:15; Psalms 104:18.
וְ/תַ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
רַעֲנָֽן
raʻănân
H7488
"be fresh"
Adj
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Definition: v (Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: green, flourishing. See also: Deuteronomy 12:2; Song of Solomon 1:16; Psalms 37:35.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 17:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 17:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 17:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 17:10
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 17:10
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
- Sermons on 2 Kings 17:10
Context — Israel Carried Captive to Assyria
8and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel.
9The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.
10They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
11They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. 12They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 14:23 | They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. |
| 2 | Micah 5:14 | I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. |
| 3 | Exodus 34:13 | Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 16:4 | And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. |
| 5 | Isaiah 57:5 | who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 12:2–3 | Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. |
| 7 | Leviticus 26:1 | “You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 16:21 | Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, |
2 Kings 17:10 Summary
In 2 Kings 17:10, we see the Israelites setting up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on high hills and under green trees, which was a way of worshiping false gods. This was a direct disobedience to God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:21-22, where He told them not to worship in this way. The Israelites were supposed to worship only the one true God, as stated in Exodus 20:3-5, but instead they adopted the practices of the surrounding nations. This verse reminds us to be careful not to prioritize other things above our relationship with God, and to seek to honor Him in all aspects of our lives, as encouraged in Colossians 3:17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sacred pillars and Asherah poles?
Sacred pillars and Asherah poles were objects of worship in ancient times, often associated with the worship of false gods, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:21-22, where the Israelites were commanded not to set up such objects for worship.
Why did the Israelites set up these objects on high hills and under green trees?
The Israelites likely chose high hills and green trees because these locations were often considered sacred or spiritually significant by the surrounding nations, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, where the Israelites were commanded to destroy such places of worship.
Is this verse talking about the same thing as the high places mentioned in the previous verse?
Yes, the high places mentioned in 2 Kings 17:9 and the sacred pillars and Asherah poles in 2 Kings 17:10 are related, as both refer to the Israelites' idolatrous practices and their adoption of pagan worship customs, similar to what is described in 1 Kings 14:23.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of 2 Kings?
This verse contributes to the overall theme of 2 Kings, which highlights the consequences of Israel's disobedience and idolatry, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:1-68, and ultimately leads to their exile and captivity, as seen in 2 Kings 17:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be setting up 'sacred pillars' or 'Asherah poles' in my own life, prioritizing other things above my relationship with God?
- How can I ensure that my worship and devotion are directed solely to the one true God, as commanded in Exodus 20:3-5?
- In what ways can I be more intentional about removing idols and false objects of worship from my life, as encouraged in Joshua 24:23?
- How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of the spiritual significance of the places and objects I encounter in my daily life, and seek to honor God in all aspects of my life, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 17:10
And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 17:10
And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
2 Kings 17:10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:Ver. 10. In every high hill.] Where they "poured forth their whoredoms," and "this had been their custom from their youth."
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
(10) Images and groves.—Pillars and Asheras—i.e., sacred trunks. The second degree of guilt: the setting up of idolatrous symbols.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
Verse 10. Images and groves] Images of different idols, and places for the abominable rites of Ashtaroth or Venus.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 17:10
10. images and groves …] R.V. pillars and Asherim upon. On the ‘pillars’ see note on 2 Kings 3:2, and on the Asherim, which were probably wooden images of a goddess Asherah, see on 2 Kings 13:6.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:10
10. Images… groves — See note on 1 Kings 14:15; 1 Kings 14:23.
Sermons on 2 Kings 17:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 34:10-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses God's covenant with Moses for the children of Israel. God promises to do marvelous works that have never been seen before, to protect the Isra |
|
(The Church in the Last Days) 05 - Possessing the Land by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. The message is based on Leviticus 26, |
|
The Basic Requirements of Obedience by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on the Book of Leviticus and the importance of obedience to God's commandments. He emphasizes that the strength of a nation lies in the f |
|
Groves Around the Altar by John Rhys Watkins | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the cross in the Christian faith. He explains that the world hates the cross and often mocks it, but it is through the cro |