What does 2 Kings 17:38 mean?
"And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods." - 2 Kings 17:38

The Bible verse 2 Kings 17:38 from the King James Version (KJV) states: "And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods."
This verse comes from the book of 2 Kings, which is part of the historical books of the Old Testament. In the context of this particular verse, the people of Israel have been warned by the prophet Hosea of the consequences of turning away from God and following after other gods. The verse is part of a larger passage where the importance of staying faithful to the covenant with God is emphasized.
The covenant being referred to in this verse is the covenant that God made with the people of Israel, particularly at Mount Sinai. This covenant outlined the relationship between God and his chosen people, and it included promises of blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. The covenant was a sacred agreement in which God promised to be their God, and they promised to be his people.
When the verse says "ye shall not forget," it is a reminder to the people of Israel to remember the covenant that God made with them. It is a call to remember the faithfulness of God and to not lose sight of the promises and commitments that were made. Forgetting the covenant would lead to a lack of reverence and respect for God, as well as a drifting away from their calling as his chosen people.
The verse also warns against fearing other gods. This is a reminder of the first commandment given to the people of Israel, which states "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). The fear of other gods would lead the people of Israel astray from the true worship of God and disrupt their covenant relationship with him.
The verse 2 Kings 17:38 carries several important themes that are relevant for believers today. The first theme is the faithfulness of God. The covenant that God made with the people of Israel is a testimony to his faithfulness and commitment to his people. This theme teaches us that God is a faithful and unchanging God, and he expects his people to also be faithful to him.
Another theme is the danger of idolatry. Fearing other gods and forgetting the covenant with God leads to idolatry, which is a recurring issue throughout the Old Testament. Today, idolatry can take on different forms, such as the worship of material possessions, success, or other false gods. This verse serves as a warning to believers to guard their hearts against anything that could become an idol in their lives.
The overall context of 2 Kings 17:38 is a call to faithfulness and obedience to God. It underscores the importance of upholding the covenant with God and remaining steadfast in worshiping him alone. This verse reminds believers of the importance of staying true to God's commandments and being mindful of any potential distractions or temptations that could lead them away from him.
In terms of symbolism, the covenant can be seen as a symbol of God's love and grace towards his people. It is a reflection of his desire to have a close and intimate relationship with them. The warning against fearing other gods symbolizes the need for believers to guard their hearts and minds against anything that could compete with their devotion to God.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 17:38 from the King James Version of the Bible carries a powerful message about faithfulness, obedience, and the dangers of idolatry. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the need for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to him. The verse is a timeless lesson that is relevant for believers of all generations.
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2 Kings 17:38 - "And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods."
"And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods." - 2 Kings 17:38
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
Isaiah 38:17
2 Kings 15:38 - "And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead."
1 Kings 2:38 - "And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 17:8 - "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."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
1 Kings 7:27-38
1 Kings 7:27-38
1 Samuel 17:38-40
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 4:38 - "¶ And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets."
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
Psalms 38:17 - "For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me."
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."
2 Kings 2:17 - "And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not."